“If you’re there longer than an hour, I’m coming in.”
“Jesus, don’t be ridiculous. It’s my family. They are overbearing, and I’m not keen on spending time with them, but it’s going to be okay.”
He clenches his jaw. “One hour.”
The way he looks at me with worry etched on his forehead… it tightens something in my chest.
“Please, Roxy,” he pleads.
He asks for permission. He gives me a choice. Yet again, chipping at my defenses, redefining my boundaries one small choice at a time.
I sigh. “Okay. I’ll be out in one hour.”
He gives me a quick peck. “Good girl. You better go before I drive away with you,” he growls.
I get out and don’t look back, feeling Liam’s gaze on my back. The temptation to return to the car is strong. But I shed that notion, straightening my spine.
The restaurant is exactly what I expected. Muted lighting. Heavy wood. Linen so crisp, you want to spill wine on it just to test its limits. A place where people who flaunt their riches pretend they have taste.
The hostess leads me toward the private room at the back, her heels clicking like a countdown.
I square my shoulders before the door opens. Victor Lock’s birthday dinner. I’m ten minutes early, but everyone is already in.
My brothers line one side of the table. Nico’s relaxed and smiling, like this is a performance, not a family obligation.
Rowan’s stiff and watchful, and Alex is halfway checked out, scrolling on his phone until Victor clears his throat.
Tee sits beside our father. Too close. Too carefully placed.
She looks older than she should here. Not yet eighteen, and already dressed like someone’s future accessory. Pale blue dress. Bare shoulders. A necklace that screams gifted, not chosen.
My stomach tightens. Victor doesn’t stand when he sees me. It doesn’t surprise me, but somewhere deep in my chest is still a little girl’s heart that hurts from his indifference. I push that useless feeling away.
“You’re late,” he says, not looking up from his wine.
“I wasn’t aware this was a summons,” I reply evenly, taking the empty seat beside Tee.
His gaze flicks up, sharp and assessing, like he’s measuring how much of me is still his.
Nico grins. “Nice to see you, Ro.”
Rowan nods once. Alex finally looks up.
Tee’s smile is small and relieved. She mouthsthank you, like my presence is armor, and squeezes my hand under the table as soon as I take my seat.
Victor taps his glass with a spoon. “Now that we’re all here?—”
I tune him out, trying to breathe and focus on my only mission here. To provide reprieve for my sister. To stand by her, because I haven’t done in so long.
Dinner progresses like a chess game I didn’t agree to play.
Father dominates the conversation, speaking over Tee when she tries to contribute, dismissing Nico’s joke with a look, asking Rowan about business deals like he’s already chosen his heir.
I watch. I catalog. I endure.
Then Father leans back in his chair, folding his hands over his stomach.
“As some of you know,” he says casually, “we’re in discussions about Tee’s future.”
