Page 5 of Provocation
‘Joseph.’ He turns to Banderville senior who’s lighting a fat cigar. ‘There was actually a proposal I’d love for you to take a look at while you’re here. Jack, you can accompany us.’
Joseph stands easily despite the fact that he must be pushing seventy, nodding at John. ‘Is it in your new office, by any chance? I’ve heard you imported half a Chateau for the décor. I’d like to see if the rumors are true.’
John lets out a chuckle and ushers his friend toward the door. ‘The panels are fifteenth century. Second to none!’
‘I don’t see that it’s necessary that I come, Pop.’ Shade argues, moving subtly closer to me.
He doesn’t want to leave me in here alone with the two sons, I realize. I don’t want him to either, but what John wants, John gets.
‘It would be good for you to learn a thing or two about business for a change,’ my stepfather counters over his shoulder, brooking no opposition.
Shade says nothing, but I can see his jaw working in my periphery and I shut my eyes for just a second. I hear the door open and close as they leave me alone with Marcus and Joe.
‘Come and sit with us, Marguerite,’ Joe says, patting the couch between him and his younger brother.
I resist the urge to look back at where Shade was. There’s no one there, after all.
With leaden feet, I go over and sit carefully between them, trying not to touch either of them.
I stare straight ahead.
‘No need to be so uptight,Daisy,’ Marcus croons. ‘My brother will think you’re a boring prude.’
He chuckles. ‘You should have seen her on Halloween, bro. She was apussycat, weren’t you, baby. Smoking hot.’
‘Really? Even more than she is now?’ Joe’s tone holds something I don’t like.
Something that puts me even more on edge. He hasn’t touched me, but it feels like animminentthreat.
‘Oh, yeah. She really loosened up, too,’ Marcus continues.
He bends forward over me, and I lean away, wondering with barely concealed alarm what he’s doing. But he’s just getting to his feet.
He smirks at me. ‘Want a glass of scotch, Daisy?’
‘I thought she doesn’t drink alcohol,’ Joe murmurs. ‘That’s what her father said.’
He’s not my father.
Marcus chuckles. ‘Little Daisy here gets up toall kinds of stuff, don’t you, sweetheart?’
I don’t look at him, but I think there’s a threat there.
‘Besides,’ he continues, ‘she can if you say she can, brother.’
I feel his eyes move off me as he turns away.
‘She’s practically yours,’ Marcus scoffs as he surveys the silver tray of fine liquors in front of him.
I swallow hard.
‘But, I forgot, you prefer vodka, right, Marguerite?’
I know I shouldn’t goad him, but after tonight’s meal and the revelations about my future, I can’t help it.
I finally give Marcus a narrow-eyed look as I stand up and follow him to the tray of crystal decanters on the sideboard. I grab a glass and pour a finger of Scotch into the tumbler.
When I turn around, I eye them both as I tip it down my throat, hoping that I don’t cough and splutter because it would ruin what I’m going for.
