“Several of us know what she’s saying. I don’t think you’d get it anyway.” I pop one of the tiny toasts in my mouth. “Mmm, delicious.”
Anastasia sneers at me, but the servers come through with the next round of plates. A salad this time, with spiky greens, strawberries, and walnuts. I hope no one has any allergies here, because apparently, we don’t give a fuck.
“We’ve rewarded those in society who can’t survive on their own. The weak are now more important and have more power than those who rightfully should sit at the head of the table.” Francesca holds her glass of wine by the tips of her fingers, sitting back in her chair. She looks at my mother with a raised brow.
Tucker nods as he sneers down at his plate before pushing it away. Not a fruit and veggie man then. I imagine he likes to masticate his beef while it’s still practically mooing.
“Exactly. This new generation is pathetic. They think the world owes them and they haven’t worked a day in their life.”
I blink a few times. That feels pointed, except I have a job. I’ve just hired very fine people to run Roth entertainment so that I don’t have to be involved in the day to day. Isn’t that the smartest business move of them all?
I grab my bottle of wine and pour myself a glass. Actually, there’s still room for more. The ruby liquid nearly wobbles over the lip of the glass as I lift it to my mouth. Someone else is going to have to drive us home at this point, because I won’t be staying sober for this dinner.
“Remind me, Tucker, what is it you do for a living?”
Tucker glares at Lucida. “I was part of the council before some bitter bitch tried to kick me off.”
“Actions have consequences,” Lucida replies calmly. Tucker’s nostrils flare. He looks ready to launch an assault at Lucida but changes his mind.
“Yes, they do. It’s a good thing there are some of us at this table who know how to run this coven. I can’t image the fuckups that will happen if it’s left in the hands of certain individuals.” Tucker leans back as our plates are cleared away. His cold eyes narrow as he looks at Piper. “Take her, for example. How’s a sad little mouse like Piper going to contribute to the council? She can’t even defend herself.” Tucker snaps his fingers, and a tiny ball of fire sparks and evaporates. Piper flinches, and Tucker laughs. “See. Just a scared little mouse. She’ll be so easy for people to manipulate. She even fell for whatever ploy this one sold her to marry him. I guess all it takes is a pretty face, huh, Niece?”
“Stop talking to my wife,” I snap at Tucker.
“Don’t want people to know how you’ve taken advantage of a malleable woman?”
“It’s not worth it, Ambrose.” Piper looks up at me, a sad smile on her face.
“Always trying to convince others to be weak, just like you.” Tucker clucks his tongue.
I slam my hand on the table, making the china and silverware clang and wobble. “You are a disgrace.”
Tucker’s fisting his knife in his hand, looking ready to lunge across the table at me. I welcome the fight. I grin at him even as my mother is gasping next to me.
“Ambrose, honestly. We have company.”
“This isn’t my party, Mother. And I don’t allow people to speak to my wife that way.”
My mother tugs on my sleeve. “This is a family matter. It’s her uncle.”
“And he’s not worthy of sharing the same air as my wife,” I bark out. “I know how to be civil. I’m not sure he does. If he won’t behave himself, then Piper and I will be leaving.” I start to stand, but my mother waves her hand like a startled bird.
“No, no, that won’t be necessary. I think everyone can comport themselves in a respectable manner, can they not?” Her voice rises almost to a shout as she glares at Tucker.
“Bianca. Of course. Some of us just let the wine go to our heads. Ah, steak.” Tucker practically rips the plate from the server’s hand. “Finally, some real food. None of this rabbit food nonsense.”
I’m halfway out of my seat. Piper and I stare at each other. One word is all it will take and we’re out of here. She shakes her head, and I sit back down with a sigh.
24
PIPER
Dinner is mentally exhausting. Tucker, Francesca, and even Anastasia keep making not-so-subtle comments about the coven, and their perceived competition. The funny thing is, Lucida hasn’t made one comment about how many council positions she wants to fill. I get the sense that everyone worthy will get a seat, but that’s not how my uncle is viewing this spectacle. He believes he needs to outlast everyone else.
I flinch as a boom of thunder cracks through the night. This spring has been one of the stormiest I can remember. Which is a shame because I hate thunderstorms. Ambrose offered to run outside to get the car so the rest of us didn’t have to get soaked, and then Roman reminded him he was drunk and went with him. I almost told him not to bother. I’m so ready to get out of this perfectly white house that a jog in the pouring rain would be preferable. Odie is wobbling beside me. I think she’s about as drunk as Ambrose. I barely had more than a few sips. I know better than to let my guard down around Tucker.
“Abandoned already.”
My muscles clench at the sound of Tucker’s voice.
