Lib Novel Page 103
Each of us gets into our respective cars, mostly because that’s our only freedom. We each got the car we wanted when we started college. The only condition was that it had to be black—a gift for the next generation who will bring the Family to new heights and success, making our families proud. Until now, it has worked. No more stepping out of line.
When I park my Porsche 911 in front of Grandmother’s mansion, I loop my arm around Kaden’s, and Thomas lets us inside.
My heels clack on the polished floors, a constant reminder: I’m in Grandmother’s lair and can’t afford to slip.
The matriarch waits for us in the dining room, her sharp eyes taking us in.
We each kiss her hand and take our seats for the weekly dinner.
“Abigail, Kaden, looking lovely as ever, the future of this family.”
She looks at Bailey for a moment longer, brows bunched together as if to say, “What am I going to do with you?”
Nothing, because our group would rather die than let them do that to Bailey as well. It’s enough that Kaden, Blake, and I experienced that horrific initiation.
Kaden, Blake, and I asked for a meeting and told Grandmother that to be the close knit family she desires, we want Bailey to pledge her loyalty to her. Weakness leads to a torturous initiation. We didn’t want Bailey to suffer, so we had to act quickly as we couldn’t allow the Family to find Bailey’s weakness. Felix must have searched for some, but there was nothing to ring alarm bells. The next week, she pledged her loyalty to Grandmother, and we called it our first big win against them.
Kaden pulls my chair back, and we exchange a nod before I take my seat.
“Second year of college. I expect it to go as smoothly as the previous one,” Grandmother says, looking at us intently. There’s something on her mind.
I wait with bated breath for some bomb to drop. She opens her mouth when the door opens, and Celine steps inside. Her presence sucks all air from the room. Kaden looks at her for a split second, blinking, but he recovers quickly. Blake squints at her incredulously like he saw a ghost and drinks half a glass of wine in one go. Only Bailey shoots up from her chair, ignoring the disapproving looks from Grandmother.
“You’re back. I missed you.” She hugs Celine, who returns the embrace.
“Bailey.” Kaden’s voice is so low, the message behind it is clear.
“I just wanted to welcome her back,” Bailey says, sighing deeply.
Overcoming my stupor, I say, “This is quite the surprise.”
“Great, indeed.” Blake fills another glass.
“Blake,” Grandmother says in a warning. He places the empty glass down only after he drinks every drop.
Sometimes I wonder if he does it on purpose—either to protect us by drawing her attention to himself or to numb his own pain. Because if Grandmother is focused on chastising him, she ignores us. But I also worry about him.
I look at Celine. Why did she return when all I ever wanted was to leave this forsaken place?
“I don’t want her here,” Kaden says.
“That’s not for you to decide. Celine has been welcomed home, and as such, she will be moving in with you,” Grandmother says.
His fingers tighten around the knife, his body tensing. I pinch his thigh, so he gets a grip.
“But—” I try. With her coming back, I won’t be able to count on Kaden being levelheaded.
Grandmother sends a disapproving glance my way.
“Let’s eat,” Grandmother says.
There is one seat left next to Kaden. Celine takes it while Bailey, Blake, and I exchange a look. Her return threatens to shake the already frail foundation on which we have built our escape plan.
After a staff member brings Celine a plate, Bailey asks. “How was it in England?”
If Bailey is starting a conversation, the situation around the table is dire.
“Bailey, behave,” Grandmother reprimands her, and we all focus on the truffle soup. Every spoonful of the broth and foie gras tastes more and more bitter.