Page 10 of Downfall

“You’re late.” My father says.

“I got distracted.” I murmur moving quickly now to take my seat. For all my want to be assertive, I don’t have the guts to fight the man. I never have.

He grunts, taking in my clothes, taking in my trainers in particular. I doubt he’s ever seen me so underdressed.

He looks around and waves his hand for everyone to continue as if we’re not all hanging off his every word.

He speaks quietly to Tyrone, sat beside him and we all start to eat.

No one speaks to me, not that I’m complaining; if I can get through the next few hours being ignored like this I’ll be more than happy.

Our family have these ‘little’ dinners every few weeks. For the most part I’m just here to tick a box. I’ve done my duty in their eyes. I married a Blumenfeld. I guess I should be grateful that being Paris’s wife protects me from the more clandestine aspects of being in this family, but in reality, I pay in others ways.

“With the funeral over, Darius will be more amenable to our wants.” My father says. “He’s pandered to the Montagues but we need to ensure our proposals go through.” He glances at Carter, his right hand man, who nods.

Of course this would be his focus.

“The Montagues are weak. Sofia is barely more than a child. No doubt they’ll try to get her married off.” My mother states from the other end of the table.

“With Paris spoken for there aren’t any others in Darius’s immediate circle to worry about.” My father replies.

“What about Otto Blumenfeld?” Carter asks and a few people pause.

“Otto is in his forties.” My mother says dismissively.

“Like that would put her off. Enough women marry for power and status, you think this bitch is any different?” Carter states and enough of the men grunt in agreement.

My stomach turns at that, at the misogyny around the room as every man nods in agreement. By their estimation that’s exactly what I did too. Sold myself for my family’s need for power. Only they were all more than happy with the terms back then.

“Rose.” My father says and all heads turn to me. “I want you to speak to Darius, ensure that Otto is not an option.”

I grit my teeth. He thinks I can simply swan in and have such a conversation with him?

“I’ll do what I can.” I say.

His eyebrows raise at that. “What you can?” He snaps. “You will do more than that.”

I nod quickly. It was a stupid response. But it’s not like this isn’t going to come back and bite me in the arse. If Sofia does set her sights on Otto then I doubt there’s much I can do to influence anything.

He keeps his gaze on me for an uncomfortable amount of time and then he looks back across the table, thankfully returning to his usual game pretending I don’t exist now that I’ve been given my task.

When the meal ends I make sure that I’m not darting for the door, though I want to so badly. I stand making polite conversation before slipping away and going to get Bella.

They’ve stuck her in a storage room, like she’s something to be packed away. I shake my head in annoyance and scoop her up and she snuggles into me clearly relieved to be out of the dark.

“Rose.”

I turn looking at my mother who’s even now giving me a look half of sympathy, half disapproval.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I wanted to see how you were, to check on you, what with everything going on.”

I wince. Of course she would want to havethisconversation. Only the skeletons in my closet are buried so deep I doubt she’d be able to locate them.

“I’m fine.” I say.

“I’m here if you need me. If you want to talk.”

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