Page 88 of Royal Havoc

If I weren’t worried about getting rid of Carney’s crazy ass, I’d have skipped today and gone after Onyx. But, I figured once crazy’s out of the picture, shit will settle more for me and my little spade.

“How’d it go last night?” Zeke asks when he sees me.

Shrugging lazily. “She calmed down eventually,” I tell him distractedly, scanning the room. It appears everyone’s here except Gage.

Why can’t his ass ever be on time?

Zeke and I split. He makes his way to the end of the table while I take my seat across from Hendrix. Dad nods once I’m sitting, and an awkward silence settles over the room.

When Zeke opens his notebook, letting us know it’s time to begin, Hendrix clears his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.

“We’ll start with…” he pauses, glancing down the table at Owens. “Next month, the new generation of four will all be of age. Zeke, we need to schedule the turnover, after graduation,” Hendrix announces while Zeke takes notes.

“I’ll get everything planned, and notify you of the details,” Zeke answers once he’s finished writing.

Hendrix nods before turning his attention to me. “Our next item, Vexen, has requested to change his betrothed,” he announces, glancing down the table to his left at Lusk and Owens.

When the hell did we fall back into the 1800’s? Why does this shit have to be so formal?

“I want to marry Onyx Rose Sterling,” I tell the table.

Hendrix relaxes in his seat, studying my face. “Tell us why we should allow your request. She was declined by you once before you signed for Carney —”

“Incorrect,” I interject, cutting him off.

I refuse to sit here and listen to his bullshit. He knows better than anyone the shit Rowland worked up with Lusk and Owens. None of this was my actual doing.

He sits forward, lacing his hands on the table. “Enlighten us with thefacts,” he says, enunciating the last word.

I glance down the table at the other men and back at him. “Rowland Sterling forced my betrothed to be changed. Hisdaughter,” I grumble, grimacing at the thought of Opal. “Wanted Onyx removed. Whichyouand two others voted for. In return, I was paired with Carney Graves due to her position and worth. I never requested a change,” I finish calmly, swallowing my building anger from his accusation.

He steeples his fingers in front of his mouth and, from what it appears, starts to debate. “I —”

“I vote against the renewal of the contract,” Owens speaks up.

“I’ll second it,” Lusk adds hesitantly.

Hendrix and Dad sit calmly, completely unphased, which pisses me off. Obviously, they know something they’ve neglected to share. Zeke’s eyes widen, hearing his father’s challenge. Immediately telling me he’s been kept in the dark, too.

Hendrix sits back slowly and crosses his arms, allowing himself to get comfortable. His eyes meet mine, holding my glare. “Both of you, plead your case. Explain why you’re challenging Mr. Carver’s request,” he instructs void of emotion.

They nervously examine each other, arguing without words over which of them will be the spokesperson for the shenanigans they’re pulling.

The door swings open, and Gage rushes in breathlessly, letting the door slam behind him. “I’m here,” he huffs, trotting to the chair beside me.

“Just in time,” Hendrix says sarcastically. “Now that we’re allpresent, we’re listening.” Nodding at the two men to his left.

Lusk clears his throat, shocking the hell out of his wide-eyed son, who’s supposed to be taking notes. “Going back to Rowland’s prior argument. None of us have ever been given a choice. Except you, Carver. It was intended by our founders that we protect the wealthy bloodlines. To ensure River’s Edge always prospers.”

I watch across the table as Hendrix’s jaw muscles flex under his skin. “Since my father and Rowland are no longer with us. Which is how you found yourself in that seat, am I correct, Owens?” The older man nods quickly. “Right. Then we should probably give a history lesson since you two want to live in the past,” Hendrix rasps coldly.

“I’m not saying you need to disclose the past. I’m simply saying it should be considered —”

Hendrix holds up a hand to silence Owens. “I was never betrothed to Opal Sterling.”

“How is that possible?” the words fall from my mouth, eyeballing him and Dad, demanding answers.

“My betrothed was Hannah Owens —”

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