Page 59 of Bound By Her

Sean did not seem impressed. Rolling his cuff links, he spoke to Adria, slow and soft, as if she were a child that wouldn’t understand. “With the Winters bein’ fourth in line, I speak fer all the families when I say we all want a smooth ascension fer Bryson. Some o’ us feel ye are the right person fer the job, an’ others…Let’s say are havin’ trouble trustin’ yer motives.”

Adria moved to say something, but Alessandro waved a hand, cutting her off.

“We believe you, of course. But since the matter has been brought to our attention, we need to give you parameters. Guiding lines that will make everyone more comfortable.”

Sean continued, “First o’ which is the stipulation that ye train Bryson successfully.”

“Nothing in my contract with Callen speaks about performance metrics,” Adria said, her mind reeling.

“Ye asked fer him as part o’ yer deal with Callen. If ye can’t train him, I ask again, why offer it?” Sean said, standing. “If ye are unable to provide this simple stipulation, then I’m back to believin’ that ye either have feelin’s fer the boy, or worse, are deliberately tryin’ to harm him. Both o’ which could be considered treason.”

“Easy, Sean,” Alessandro said. “Adria, no one is asking for a miracle. Just ensure there are marked improvements on auction day. For as many men as you have broken, I think you will have little issue with someone as weak-minded as Bryson.”

Like Adria, these men were born into their roles, but unlike Adria, they didn’t have to claw out a path for themselves. Instead, their paths were laid at their feet. Carl Jung said, “If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s.”

They didn’t need cunning, intelligence, or even common sense to get where they were. And they were idiots if they thought Bryson was weak-minded.

Adria had only spent a few weeks with him, and already she could see how much smarter he was than his father. Far more dangerous, too.

She was better, that she was sure, but he was not weak by any stretch of the imagination. With the Triune watching, breaking him would quite literally be the fight of her life.

“He’ll be trained,” she bit out, not seeing a way out of the matter.

“Excellent,” Alessandro said. “That makes the rest of the stipulations easier.”

Alessandro leaned into her father’s sofa, sipping his drink. “If we deem the auction successful, your tithes will be waved for the upcoming two assemblies. Consider it a generous bonus and gratitude on our part.”

Every two years, the families met during the Mar’s opposition. Each of their tithe were decided during the summit. It was a contribution to the collective. It could be anything from murder to money to political sway, but either way, Adria would be glad to be rid of it. The Triune’s opinion on how you delivered your tithe decided if you went up or down at the table. This way, she was guaranteed her fifth spot for four more years.

“Fail to perform, or try to double-cross us in any way—” Alessandro said.

Sean interrupted, “If ye try to keep the young heir or sell him to a close friend, trust me when I say we will know.”

“I won’t be keeping them,” Adria said firmly.

Alessandro moved near her. “Adria, it doesn’t give me any pleasure to do this, but we have come all this way, and I feel it is important for you to understand the gravity of your choices.”

“Allow me, Master Grasso,” Jonathan said.

Alessandro brightened at Jonathan’s offer to help. He patted Adria’s knee and gave her a soft smile. “Thank you, Jonathan. While necessary, I don’t get any pleasure in threatening my fellow family members.”

Alessandro made his way to the bar, and Jonathan took his place, sitting next to Adria.

At his proximity, Adria’s spine grew straight, and she focused on breathing.

“A union between families is not against the rules, however, it needs to be sanctioned. Any ill-intentioned form of manipulation or attempts on your part to forman unsanctioned union will be met by swift actions of the Triune.” Jonathan’s blue eyes pinned her in place, and for a moment the rest of the room faded away, and it was just her and him.

Alone.

“We want to remind you that your life is not the only life on the line, but that your mother is still very much reachable, should your actions prove to be dishonorable,” Jonathan said, reaching his hand out to brush a stray hair out of her face.

Such a bad girl getting Daddy’s attention like that.

Jonathan’s touch caused the memory to spring to the forefront of her mind.

Adria hated how weak and alone she felt. Jonathan was right, she hadn’t changed.

Alessandro clapped his hands, and Adria snapped to attention. She needed to get out of here before more memories came to life.

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