Page 10 of Provocation
Marcus backs up and Shade follows him, stalking him across the foyer. ‘Was all the shit you pulled in the frat this year a fucking test?’
Marcus raises his chin. ‘Of course it was. My father wanted to know if she was actually cured, or if she’ll be a liability to our family.’ He sniffs. ‘But now that Joe has seen her in person, he wants her no matter what. If he has to fuck her in a padded cell to get his heirs, make no mistake,’ Marcus looks at me. ‘He will. Hell, he’ll probably get off on it. And when he’s got what he wants, he’ll be more inclinedto share.’
He winks at me and laughs suddenly as his eyes find Shade again. ‘You think you have any real power here? Andy is John’s right hand, not you, Jack. We could demand you be there, make you watch as Joe breaks in your precious sister on the wedding night. Evidence that the union has been consummated. That’s a thing in our family, you know? Wanna watch?’ He licks his lips. ‘I know I will be.’
He suddenly doubles over with a low groan, and I realize that Shade has punched him right in the stomach. He falls to the floor, his knees cracking on it. He thuds to the side and curls up, wheezing. ‘You’ll pay for that Shade, you motherfucker.’
‘Maybe so,’ Shade snarls, holding out his hand for me to come, ‘but it was still worth it.’
‘Let’s go,’ he murmurs to me. ‘I think we’ve all had enough tonight.’
Shade opens the door and turns back. ‘Don’t come back to the house, Marcus. I have a feeling there might just be a terrible accident if you do.’
I see Marcus’ lips twist disparagingly as Shade closes the door behind us and guides me down the outside steps. When we get to his Jag, he opens the passenger door, and I lower myself in with a wince.
‘What’s wrong?’ Shade asks, concern evident. ‘Did Marcus do something?’
I shake my head. I’ll have to tell him, but I think if I do right now, Shade will go back inside and start something with Joe. While a part of me would enjoy seeing Shade beat the ever-loving shit out of another Banderville, I think a bigger part would rather just leave as soon as possible.
God, I hate this house.
I let out a long breath when the car passes through the iron gates and the house begins to get smaller in the rearview mirror.
‘Jesus,’ Shade whispers. ‘I know my father is an asshole, but I never thought he’d…’
‘Sell me to the highest bidder?’ I supply quietly. ‘What do you think he’s getting for me?’
‘Fuck,’ Shade whispers. ‘This is so fucked.’
He doesn’t say anything else.
‘I spoke to Stevens. He said the shoes were removed because your father said they were uncomfortable. They were probably destroyed.’
‘Anything else?’
‘John’s driver, Peter, was asked to go and get John from that gala the night of the accident, but Stevens didn’t know if heactually did. We can’t find out for sure because the guy was fired a couple months ago.’
‘I think it’s safe to say that you were right,’ Shade says, hands gripping the wheel tightly. ‘My father was at the scene. I’m sure of it. I’m sorry that I questioned you over it.’
‘It’s okay.’
He gives me a glance and puts his hand on my knee, squeezing gently. ‘I got the guys to get us pizza. That dinner was awful.’
I laugh a little. ‘In pretty much every way,’ I agree. ‘What time can you take me to your lab tomorrow?’
‘As early as you want.’
I nod. ‘I’m not sure how long it’ll take to make it the first time. It might be up to forty-eight hours for the preliminary batch. I’ll need a pill press, too.’
‘Already got one.’
I give him a small smile. ‘Where is this lab anyway?’
His answering grin is smug. ‘You’ll see.’
We pull up the driveway of the KIP House before I know it and, after my hellish evening with the Bandervilles, I’m glad to be home.
Home.
