Page 9 of Provocation
‘He did, Miss.’
‘And…he came home early?’
‘I believe that Peter went to pick him up from the Gala, yes, but as to the time, I’m afraid I don’t recall.’
‘Okay,’ I sigh, ‘thanks for…’ I trail off, and frown as the butler turns away, replaying his words. ‘Wait.’
He turns back. ‘Was there something else, Miss Marguerite?’
‘You said Peter went to get him, but did he?’
‘I couldn’t say, Miss, but you won’t be able to ask him. He was let go almost two months ago.’
‘Oh, I see,’ I murmur.
‘Forgive me, but I must go about my duties now, Miss Marguerite.’
‘Of course. I’m sorry, Stevens.’
He gives me a shallow bow. ‘I put a box that was found out by the bins in Master Jack’s car the last time he was here. You might want to ask him about it.’
‘Thank you, Stevens,’ I murmur. ‘I will.’
He gives me another short bow just as Marcus comes into view. His eyes find me and he sneers at the butler. ‘Leave.’
Stevens’ gaze flits over me and there’s something in his face that I don’t understand.
‘Of course, sir.’
He leaves me with Marcus, but I notice he looks over his shoulder as he walks down the hall.
Marcus glances from side to side, making sure we’re alone before he gives me a hard push, sending me hard into the nearest wall with an ‘oomph’.
‘Bet you weren’t expecting to become part of the fam, huh, bitch?’
He laughs low. ‘I, for one, can’t fucking wait until you’re my sister. The shit I have planned for you… You’re going to regret pissing me off, you know?’
I say nothing, but I’m sick and tired of being manhandled by Bandervilles tonight, that’s for damn sure. What’s next? Is the father going to emerge from the shadows to slap me across the face?
‘I haven’t told anyone that you changed majors, you know. Not yet.’ He chuckles. ‘That would go down like a fart in a sauna in my family. If you haven’t already begun to understand, the sciences aren’t considered appropriate for Banderville women to study. Even College is frowned upon.’
‘Let me guess what is appropriate. Watercolor? Embroidery?’ I sneer.
He snorts. ‘You won’t be making jokes once you belong to Joe. He takes that shit very seriously. I’ll bet he already gave you a little taste, huh?’
‘What do you want from me?’ I ask, shifting uncomfortably at the reminder of the heavy swings of that cane I was subjected to just a few minutes ago. ‘I assume there’s a price for you keeping my business to yourself.’
‘There is,’ he confirms, taking a step back. ‘You owe me a favor. Any time, any place. When it’s time for me to collect, you give me what I ask for, no questions asked. Understand?’
‘Yes,’ I say, though I have no intention of giving him anything. With any luck I’ll be long gone by the time he seeks me out to hold up my end of this deal.
‘What’s going on out here?’
I let out a sigh of relief as Shade comes into view.
‘I was just welcoming my new sister-in-law into the family,’ Marcus answers, grinning.
‘She’s not a Banderville yet,’ Shade snarls low.
