Destined for Power Read Free

from hers and tossed his head back.
    “Mallory!” he rumbled as he came.
    He blinked as if he were coming back down to earth and covered her face with kisses. “Come to Europe with me.”
    “What?” Mallory asked with a giggle.
    “I'm in a study-abroad program. I found out today I was accepted. I leave in one week for Switzerland. Come with me. With your connections, you could easily get into the same school. We could be together in Europe for a whole year.” Reid pushed her hair back from her face and kissed the tip of her nose.
    “I’m sorry, young man, but my daughter isn’t going anywhere with you.”
    Mallory’s head shot up, almost hitting Reid. She felt all the blood drain from her face. “Daddy!”
    “Just what in the hell do you think you are doing?” her father hissed. “Do you have any idea how badly you’ve messed up? Now get up and put yourself together. I have Ambrose downstairs waiting to meet you, and you’re up here playing the common strumpet for this . . . this nobody!”
    Mallory felt her mouth open to defend them, but she couldn’t find any words. Anger and humiliation rendered her mute. Reid stood and didn’t bother to hide himself. Instead, he made sure Mallory was protected. While her father was in good shape for a man his age, he was no match for Reid. Her father simply narrowed his eyes and put his hands in the pockets of his expensive three-piece suit.
    “You think you can intimidate me, young man? I run this whole damn country. Some hooligan like you isn’t going to cause me to blink an eye. Get dressed and get the hell out of here. And use the back door. That’s the only door you’re good enough for. As for you, young lady . . .”
    “As for her, she’s coming with me. We’re going to go to Switzerland, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
    Her father laughed so coldly it gave Mallory chills. “Downstairs there is a young man from an impeccable family waiting to meet Mallory. He is wealthy, went to the best university, and has connections with more than the local jail, unlike you. They will date while she is at college, during which time he will work for me. Upon graduation, he will ask her to marry him. She will say yes and will become the First Lady of this great country by the time she’s thirty-five. Now, tell me, what can you offer her?”
    “Love. That’s more than you’ve ever offered her.” Reid turned and looked at her. He held out his hand. “Take my hand, Mallory. We can be married in Europe. You’ll have a family who loves you and a husband who will work every day of his life to deserve you and to give you everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”
    Mallory stared at Reid’s hand. The deep love he had for her shone brightly in his eyes. But then she looked at her father. His face was calm, only the lines around his mouth showing his displeasure.
    “Mallory, you will get dressed right this instant. I’ll forget this ever happened. And so will you. All Mr. Simpson here will give you is pain. Do you really think he’ll be able to keep you in the lifestyle you are accustomed to? Do you think he’ll manage to make anything of his life? He’s just like his old man—a dreamer with no sense of reality.”
    Reid spun on her father. “How dare you! My father is the best man I know. If I’m half the man he is, then I’ll be proud of my accomplishments. He’s certainly not a silver-spooned bastard who thinks we should all kneel before his greatness. But he has dragged himself out of a tough life with the love and support of his family—something you know nothing about. Mallory, come on, we’re leaving.”
    Mallory swallowed and wrapped the sheet around her. She would have her trust fund when she was thirty-five. She didn’t need all the things she had grown accustomed to. All she needed was Reid. She stood up, and Reid shot her father a victorious smile. Her father stepped into the room and blocked her from reaching Reid. She had never