I don’t buy it. Phoenix doesn’t care about what I want or need. I imagine they’re here to check up on me. Clever to use my future sisters-in-law to do it. I grip my clipboard tighter. This feels like surveillance disguised as friendship. Phoenix must suspect something.
"And we can help with your to-do list," Jenna adds. "I'm great with flowers and decorations."
"Phoenix mentioned you've been working non-stop," Hannah says. "He's worried about you."
“I doubt that,” I quip before I think better of it. It won’t be smart to air my grievances with the wives of Phoenix’s brothers.
"We won't take no for an answer," Lucy says with a smile. "So, what do you say? Girls' day out, then we'll help with whatever you need to finish?"
I study these women and see the trap Phoenix has laid. Three pairs of eyes to watch my every move, report back my every word. My carefully constructed plans suddenly feel fragile.
I glance at my guard, who gives a slight nod. Of course Phoenix has already cleared this. My jaw clenches involuntarily.
Going with them means precious hours away from finalizing Brigit's escape. Hours I can't afford to lose. But refusing would only raise suspicions I can't afford.
"I haven't left the estate since…" I trail off, not needing to finish.Since your husbands stormed in and took everything over. Since my world collapsed. Since I became a prisoner in my own home.
"All the more reason to get some fresh air," Lucy says.
I weigh my options quickly. If I go, I lose planning time but gain their trust. If I refuse, I might as well paintI'm hiding somethingacross my forehead.
"Alright," I concede, setting down my clipboard. "But just for a few hours. We'll need to be back by four."
The relief in their smiles seems genuine, making me wonder if they're as uncomfortable with this arrangement as I am. Are they here as spies or potential allies? Either way, I can't risk confiding in them.
What Phoenix doesn't understand is that nothing, not even three watchful bridesmaids, will stop me from protecting Brigit. If anything, this outing might be exactly what I need to throw off suspicion.
I sit in the backseat of Lucy's sleek black car next to Hannah as we head toward downtown Boston. No one is really talking, and that’s when I remember they saw my humiliation at dinner. At least Lucy and Jenna did. They watched with disapproval but didn’t say a word. Then again, what could they say? Their husbands are now the most powerful men in Boston.
Hannah leans toward me. “Are you okay?”
I give her a fake smile, the one I’ve perfected over the years. “Of course. Why?”
She glances toward the front seat and then back to me. “I just heard… well… Phoenix was terrible at dinner.”
My cheeks burn with the memory. The revealing red dress. The leering men. Phoenix's cruel accusations.
"I was hoping we could all pretend that never happened," I manage, staring out the window.
“I almost didn’t believe it when I heard about it,” Hannah said. “Phoenix always seemed so… kind, more even-keeled than the others.”
“I witnessed it and it was all Flint could do to keep me from scratching Phoenix’s eyes out.”
My lips twitch upward but I hide it.
Jenna turns back to look at me from the front seat. “Blaise was livid. He and Flint talked to Phoenix. I hope it will get better.”
“You know, I don’t understand how in this day and age arranged marriage still exists. In Boston, of all places.” Lucy shakes her head.
“She isn’t from our world,” Hannah says. “I have an arranged marriage.”
“But you two love each other. That’s as clear as the nose on my face.” Lucy glances in the rearview mirror. “Why are you doing this?”
Jenna turns to her. “Lucy, she has no choice.”
“That’s against the law. I swear, you want me to drive you to Canada, I will.”
I study her and then the other women in turn. This is not at all what I expected. “We all do things for a reason. I’m no different.”
