Page 33 of Lovely Deceit

She turns her head slightly to look at me, her brows cinched together. They loosen when she finds me staring back at her. “I hope so. I told Dad he may as well have two dead daughters if he makes me do this.”

Pain slices through me. Memories come whipping back, and I have to school my face before I let it all show. My mom used to say the same thing when Grandfather would call on her.

I may as well be dead…

I swallow the tightness in my throat.

Eden closes the passenger door, and I take that as my cue to drive again.

Pushing the unwanted memories to the back of my mind, I bring up everything I know about Alistair Astor, which isn’t a lot. He’s one of the Knights that keeps to himself. The only exciting thing that ever happened to that family, other than conquering businesses and growing the Astor wealth, was when Delilah decided she was going to pledge the Knights. Then, their name was talked about everywhere, and not in a good way. People didn’t like a woman in the boy’s club.

I asked Grandfather once why he was allowing it, and only got tidbits of information. But the ending was clear: Delilah made it to Fledgling status, then drowned.

Before meeting Eden, her death was only a mild curiosity to me. Honestly, I assumed one of the Knights had done it. Though, I could see it being a horrific accident, too. My grandfather’s circles always described it the same.

“Women just can’t hack it.”

“Is it any wonder she drowned? She’s a female.”

“And that’s why you don’t bring women into a man’s organization. They’re better off at home.”

I took their words at face value. Even believed them. She wouldn’t be the first person to die in pre-Knight status, but this death was entirely blamed on her gender.

And I never thought to think differently.

“You should talk to your father,” I say gruffly. “And if you ever have to talk to Leon Forbes again, I’m going with you.”

“Hopefully I won’t have that pleasure,” she snarks. Out of the corner of my eye, I see her reach up and touch the red spot on her cheek.

“Ice will help.”

She closes her eyes. “Oliver’s going to freak out.” A beat passes before she says, “I guess if I marry him, they can’t make me marry someone else.”

“You can’t do that,” I snap.

“You actually care who I marry?” she smirks.

I grind my teeth together. I don’t like the idea of her marrying anybody. Instead of saying that, though, I say, “No, I don’t care. Just don’t rush into anything until you talk to your father.”

The lie hangs between us, but Eden seems to take it for what it is and doesn’t ask any further questions. Inside, my head is spinning as I’m trying to unravel the thoughts in my brain and wondering why the idea of Eden marrying someone else bothers me.

17

Eden

“You have to what?” Oliver’s exclamation thunders through my entire body.

The first thing he did was come up to me, lightly grazing his fingers over my cheek before I hissed. I’ve never been slapped before, and I can now say that it really freaking stings. I should’ve thrown the coffee cup at Leon’s dick. If I was lucky, it would’ve rendered it completely inoperable. I’d have done all the local women a great service.

Fucking bastard.

I tip my chin in the air. “I won’t.”

“Of course you’re not,” Oliver seethes, shoulders moving up and down with the large gulps of air he’s taking. “This is the most ludicrous thing I’ve ever heard. Like they can just replace Delilah with you. Are they mental? My family does some fucked up shit, but this takes the biscuit.”

My gaze darts toward Leo standing in the living room with his arms crossed. He hasn’t stopped watching me since when we got back, and it’s a little unnerving. I’m furious that he followed me, but I’m also kind of glad at the same time. He’s not much of a talker, but it was good to have someone with me when I fell apart. He actually acted decently.

“Your dad—” Oliver starts.

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