Free Entangled (Vice Games) by Alice Cooper Page A

happiness was short lived when Tristan continued.
    ‘And it is the reason why we are required to dine at the Main House tomorrow evening.’
    ‘I’m not going,’ Anna announced.
    ‘Phoebe will also be required to attend.’
    ‘What? Why?’ I frowned.
    Tristan did not answer. He finished his dinner and left without another word to neither of us. Anna was as confused as I am and could not phantom how Tristan’s called off engagement concerned us. Anna followed his brother upstairs and continued to pester him about the details but none was given. Tristan remained silent and out of sight for the rest of the night.
    The next morning came quicker than any of us had anticipated and Tristan was not at the table.
    ‘He left half an hour ago,’ Lorraine informed us as Anna and I sat down together. ‘He also says that you both should be ready when he returns at five.’
    Anna was reluctant and I was not enthusiastic about going to the Main House. The teachers came and went and before we knew it, Lorraine ushered us to get dressed. I went for a demure black dress.
    ‘Goodness child,’ said Lorraine, ‘you are going to a dinner and not a funeral.’
    ‘It feels like it though,’ I told her. Anna came out of the bathroom dressed in a similar fashion. Lorraine shook her head.
    ‘No, no, the master had strict instructions that you dress appropriately.’
    ‘This is appropriate,’ Anna protested. ‘It’s called the little black dress.’
    ‘Very well, ’ Lorraine relented, ‘put on some lipstick, do your hair up and make yourselves look at least a little bit lively.’
    Anna pulled a force comical smile. It made me laugh and forget momentarily about the imminent dinner at the Main House. Time passed quickly and Tristan arrived exactly at five. I noted that he was driving a different car, a red sports BMW this time.
    ‘Did you just buy a new car?’ I heard Jace ask as Tristan entered the house. He had left with the silver one this morning.
    ‘Yes. Are they ready?’
    Anna was in my room with me when Tristan knocked softly against my door. I opened it for him and I held my breath as my eyes gazed into his.
    ‘Anna,’ he started, ‘go and wait downstairs. I want a private word with Phoebe.’
    The seriousness of his voice made Anna blink and comply with confusion. Her brother was never this intense towards her and she moved off the bed and out of the room without a word of protest or question. I could see it on her face that she would ask me about it later.
    Tristan stepped inside and closed the door. We were alone and I took a step back to create space between us. He saw my discomfort and chose to ignore it. There was not a hint of nervousness or second thoughts as he reached into his suit jacket’s inner pocket and produced a small red box. My eyes were instantly drawn towards it and saw that it was in fact, a ring box. I did not dare think why he would have it out.
    ‘Give me your hand ,’ he commanded.
    ‘What?’
    I did not move and was half in shock when he flicked it open with his thumb. Without hesitation, he took up my left hand. Inside was a princess cut diamond ring. He slipped it on my ring finger without asking. I attempted to pull my hand away but his grip around my wrist was too tight.
    ‘From this night onwards, we are engaged, is that understood?’
    ‘What? No,’ I found myself saying with bafflement painted all over my face.
    ‘My breakup with Lauren will be questioned and Karen will not accept the news lightly.’
    ‘So I’m to be your excuse?’
    ‘Yes. Everything has been arranged and you are to follow my lead.’
    ‘What you’re asking me to do is lie to your father and stepmother,’ I said.
    ‘My family is already full of lies; one more will not hurt any of us. Besides, this was your idea.’
    ‘ How, exactly, is pretending to be your fiancée my idea?’ My heart raced as I spoke. His fingers were still wrapped around my wrist and the touch made it hard for me to breathe. Then