York

She wanted to leave. This was too much weirdness to be coincidence. She’d been active for literally a minute. How was this already happening?

Kat shook with each step as she made her way inside. Her mind raced with the possibilities, but what she saw sent her heart into her throat.

York fucking Harrington was on her couch, talking with her father.

The color drained from Kat’s face. This had to be a nightmare. How’d he even know where she lived?

“Ah, Kat. Mr. Harrington was just telling me about your behavior toward him this morning. I would expect my daughter to know better than to disrespect her betters,” her father said.

The room was spinning. No matter how many breaths she took, she couldn’t fill her lungs. This couldn’t be real.

“I-I’m sorry, Daddy. I lost my temper,” she explained.

“Foolish girl. This man is a Harrington! Do you know what that means in this city? The least you could do was humor him.”

Her face turned a new shade of red. “Humor him? You can’t be serious! Dad, he’s a bully. He said that—“

“Enough! I will not be talked back to in my own home. You will apologize to Mr. Harrington without protest.”

A single tear streamed down Kat’s face. Her eye twitched as she forced herself to look at that dickweed’s smug face. “I’m…sorry, York.”

Her father groaned. “You will not embarrass me further, Kat. A Summers shows proper respect when addressing their superiors. Last chance.”

She clenched her fists and looked at the floor. “I’m. Sorry. Mister. Harrington.”

Tears dripped from her scorching face and onto the carpet.

“Better,” her father turned back to York, “I apologize for her as well, Mr. Harrington. She’s usually such a well-mannered girl.”

“Please, sir, call me York. Really, it’s quite alright. I know how ornery young women can be. They tend to challenge things that they don’t understand. As I’m sure you know, my father literally wrote the book on Feminine Psychology.”

“Oh, trust me, I know! His old DVD training videos were a life saver when I first adopted Kat’s mother.” Her father turned to her, “Kat, don’t be rude. Please tend to our guest.”

She wished to be invisible. Or for her dad to stop forcing her to grovel to her bully. Whichever was more realistic.

Kat clenched her jaw. “Would you like anything to drink…Mr. Harrington?”

“Water’s fine, thanks,” he said, staring into her eyes.

She hated how much he was loving this. She hated that she was on her way to get fucking water for York fucking Harrington. She’d never been so humiliated. Her dad always had a penchant for the dramatic, but this was extreme. This was worse than any nightmare she’d ever had. Kat quickly returned with York’s water, and placed it on the table in front of him.

“You know, despite her temper, she’s really a fine prospect. Comes from good stock. Well-trained at basic housework. Intelligent, for a woman. Once she’s 21, I’d love for you to consider me as a candidate for her guardianship.”

“You flatter us, York! And what a stroke of fate. Today’s her 21st birthday!”

York’s face twisted into a grin. “Well, ain’t that the happiest of accidents! I’d love to take her off your hands as soon as possible. I already have my own place. It’s 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. A little small, but I make do. And of course I wouldn’t offer you a penny less than fair. Would a million work for you?”

Her heart sank. He had been right all along. York was about own her. Kat wondered if this had all been some rigged game. Had he always been serious about this? If she had been more docile, would she be in this hell right now? She’d never know for sure, not that it would matter. She hid in the kitchen and cried.

“I-I’m sorry, York. Did you say $1 million?” her dad stuttered.

“I meant no offense, sir! We could do $2 million if that’s more to your liking,” York said.

Her father laughed, “$2 million is it! Welcome to the family, son!”