Master of the Opera, Act 5: A Haunting Duet by Jeffe Kennedy Read Free Book Online Page A

massive four-poster bed, bouncing happily. “I knew you couldn’t be that stupid. Careful what you promise, though. It could come to that.”
    Her scalp prickled. “How? It’s the twenty-first century. They can’t force me to say vows or sign contracts.”
    The other girl sobered, a haunted look dimming her vivacious eyes. “You have no idea. The Sanclaros always get their way. Or they’ll make you wish you hadn’t crossed them.”
    Christine sat next to her. “Are you okay?”
    “Hells to the no. But that’s where you come in. They need one of us. I thought maybe when they finally got you here, they’d let me have my own life, but they need a backup. I was willing to let you take the fall for my freedom—sorry about that, survival of the fittest and all—but now we might as well help each other.”
    “I think you need to back up and explain. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    “Don’t you know anything ?”
    “Let’s pretend I don’t.”
    Angie flopped back onto the bed with an exasperated sigh and stared at the canopy. “Okay, you know we’re cousins, right?”
    “I suspected.” More than suspected, but hearing it from this snarky teen rocked through her, pricking open the anger she carried. Damn her father.
    “So, according to family tradition, there’s always supposed to be a direct descendant of the first Angelia in charge of the family fortunes. Right now that means you or me, baby. I’m too young still and they don’t dare give you the reins until Roman has you on a short leash.” Angie snickered at her choice of words.
    “But there’s not a woman in charge now.”
    “Exactly!” Angie popped up and pointed at Christine. “My icon of a father scoffed at superstition and put himself in charge when Great-Grandmother died. I was just a baby, but I’ve read the books. Guess what’s happened to the vaunted Sanclaro fortune since then?” She turned a thumb down and made a long, whistling noise that ended with a loud and unpleasant raspberry.
    “I had no idea.”
    Angie shrugged. “I’m sure a smart financial person could dig it out if you need proof. It’s not common knowledge, as you can imagine.”
    “How do you know about it?”
    “I live here, don’t I? They think I don’t listen, but I do. It’s always been the plan for you to marry Roman—in case you didn’t know—but something’s gotten in the way. They did something huge to get you here now. Dad is getting desperate. I haven’t been able to ferret out why, but he’s convinced that getting you on board will stop whatever shit is about to hit the fan.”
    “Why not put you on the paperwork under his guardianship?”
    “ ’Cuz then I’d have to marry my brother—as my father’s manly pride demands—and even the Sanclaros can’t pull off that shit in this day and age.”
    “So this is all about family superstition?”
    Angie paced over to the window, stared out at the rising moon, then turned around, her fingers knotted together. “Way weirder than that.”
    The angel hairs lifted on the back of Christine’s neck. This was it. What she’d hoped to find. “Tell me.”
    Angie shook her head slowly from side to side. “It’s one of those you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it things.”
    “Okay, then show me.”
    “Doing this is very risky for me. You’re not supposed to know any of this until after the wedding. First you have to promise to help me escape.”
    “But you’re a minor.”
    “Tell me about it.” Angie held out a hand, looking into her memory and ticking points off on her fingers. “I need you to get me a cell phone and guarantee it for me. I have money I’ll give you—don’t worry. What I don’t have is a credit card. If you’ll co-sign one and let me use your address, as soon as I have the cred, I’ll transfer it to me. Meanwhile, I’ll give you cash for that, too. I have a fake ID worked out—as an adult, thank you very much—but I need a ride to pick it up from the guy,