“I got your favorite.” Mary raises the topmost box in a proud display. “Meat Lovers.”
I stare at her, ignoring Madison as she burns a hole in my face. My sister can lie to everyone else but me. We both know the truth about how deep her feelings for me go, and now that she has my attention, there’s no escaping it. Even when I’m ignoring her, she steals my every thought.
I turn back to the door and leave without a word. I meant what I said about keeping our tryst a secret. I’ll treat her thesame as before. I’m a man of my word, even though this one will kill me.
“LIKE YXU WXULD KNXW (AUTUMN TREES)” KORDHELL, SCARLXRD, CORPSE
My nerves are unattended live wires jumping too close to a puddle. Any second now, the water will touch the wires and set off a chain reaction. I’m moments from screaming and making a fool of myself as I sit beside Justin at the dinner table. The entire family is here, and even Ryder has joined. He hasn’t spared me a glance since yesterday when we arrived home.
Justin’s hand lies heavily on my thigh, his fingers spread out and gripping me with the strength of a python coiled around itsnext meal. He’s played nice since he first arrived this evening. It’s all for show, of course, so he doesn’t alarm my family by revealing how he behaves when we’re alone.
Dad and Justin chat about confusing topics. It all sounds like mumbo-jumbo bullshit to me, but they seem to understand each other just fine.
It’s hard to pay attention when Justin keeps squeezing my thigh and sliding his hand closer to my core. Bile rises in my throat, and my skin crawls beneath Justin’s touch. I’m right back in the bathroom at the restaurant, on my knees, with Justin shoving his dick in my face for me to suck.
I shift in my seat, hoping it’s enough to move his hand. Justin barks out a laugh at whatever Dad said, giving my leg a warning squeeze at the same time. I side-eye him, then glare at my half-empty plate of food. Minnie cooked tonight, and I hate that I’m unable to finish the meal. What little I’ve eaten already sits heavily on my stomach.
“We’ll have to go there sometime. Maybe after your honeymoon?” Dad says.
My head snaps up, and I catch Ryder staring at me before he slides his attention away. His expression is blank, lacking any emotion, but I still catch the fire burning in his cold eyes as he stares at Justin. Any second now and my fiancé will combust into flames.
“We’ll see how the missus fares when we get back. Then we’ll talk,” Justin says with a smirk.
Dad’s grin is more wolfish than amused. “Ah, yes. Good point. I know all this waiting is riling you up. I’m sure you’ll take great care of Madison while she’s meeting your needs.”
My face slackens and my jaw drops. They’re going to sit here and bluntly talk about the wedding night? And Justin will see how Ifare? What the fuck does he plan to do, beat me?
I wouldn’t put it past him, actually.
“I’m right here,” I snap. My heart hammers and I tremble with rage as the two men chuckle at me like I’m some dainty woman who can’t think for herself.
Minnie drops her silverware onto her plate and glares at my father. “That’s your daughter you’re talking about, Jerry.”
Dad’s amusement melts away, and his face pinches as he turns to his sister. “It’s not like the girl doesn’t know what will happen on her wedding night.”
“She’s still your child,” Minnie growls. “You have no business discussing something like that.”
My stomach knots while I watch Dad and Aunt Mary argue. It’s nice knowing she’ll call my father out on his bullshit, but I’m worried he’ll hit her again when they’re alone. She says she can handle her own, but he’s far bigger than she is and can easily overpower her if he chooses to.
Ryder relaxes into his seat, his fingers toying with his steak knife on the table. The skeleton fingers tattooed on his hand and fingers ripple with the movement, bringing the art to life with a promise of violence.
Minnie is the only good thing about being here with Justin and Dad. Carolyn is useless. She’ll take my father’s side about everything, no matter how messed up things get.
Speaking of Carolyn, she sits quietly beside my dad, but when she looks at my aunt, irritation flashes across her sharp features.
“It’s fine, Mr. Richmond,” Justin says. “We can have our more private discussions in your office. Wouldn’t want the delicate ears listening in on men’s businesses.”
I bite the inside of my cheek and swallow the insult hanging on my tongue.
Ryder’s fingers tighten around the knife, then loosen. He shoves his seat back and stands, then leaves the living roomwithout a word. I keep my gaze trained forward, just in case the others are watching for my reaction.
I snatch up my champagne glass, glad there’s still a good amount left for me to drink. If I have to put up with this, I’d rather be drunk than sober. The carbonated bubbles fizz all the way down my throat until they settle in my stomach. Warmth blooms within my body as I tip back the glass until I’m left wanting more. That wasn’t enough to drown everything out.
The rest of the meal is uneventful. My lower back is killing me from sitting with a straight spine and tensed shoulders. Madam Joan would be proud if she saw me now, though her approval means nothing to me. It’s hard to relax when Justin keeps touching my leg.
My stomach churns, and I glance toward the kitchen.
I can’t take this anymore.
