Page 56 of Glutton for Punishment

“Such a pleasure to meet you, dear,” he says warmly.

“A pleasure,” Arwen replies. I can see the strain of disgust around her mouth as she tries to hide her distaste.

A slow, dangerous smile spreads across my father’s face. “Why don’t you both join me?” he says casually. “Sit. Eat. Drink.”

He gestures lazily toward the table. “I can have anything brought up. Anything at all.”

His eyes drift to Arwen again.

“Have you ever had Ortolan bunting, Arwen? They’re divine!”

“You eat them whole,” he continues, almost fondly. “Bones and all.”

He lets out a faint chuckle. “You know what? I’ll order three.”

“We can’t stay,” I cut in, stepping forward.

My father’s gaze flicks to me again in amusement at my interruption.

“I wanted to introduce you,” I add, forcing calm into my voice, “but we need to get back to our rooms and pack.”

My father tilts his head, one eyebrow raised. “Pack?”

“Yes,” I say evenly. “My bonded and I will leave for Gravesend tomorrow. I’ve been away too long.”

The word bonded tastes wrong coming out like that. Too casual. A word that should be said intimately. But I force myself to continue.

“And she’ll come with me. Obviously,”

My father takes a slow sip of his drink to fill the silence. The most expensive suit money can buy in Gluttony wrapped around his beefy form.

“Ahhh,” he says finally. “Unfortunately, that won’t do.”

My shoulders tighten a fraction as he sets the glass down carefully.

“You see,” he continues, voice smooth as oil, “I’ve organized a family dinner for tomorrow night. And a few events in the coming days.”

“Absolutely not.” It bursts out before I can contain it. My father looks at me like he’s scolding a silly child.

“I thought it only proper,” he adds lightly, “to welcome your bonded to the family.”

His gaze slides to Arwen again, and my knuckles crack on the hand not holding hers.

“You brothers and sisters will want to meet her. And they’ve already RSVP’d. No turning back now.”

I tighten her hand in mine. My father leans back slightly, watching me now instead of her. Smiling faintly.

“She’s one of us now, after all.”

And I know the meaning behind what he’s saying. Even if he’s not saying it out loud…

And she’ll be treated like one of us.

***

We leave the club without another word, and Arwen stays close as I guide her through the building to her room.

All I can feel is the weight of what just happened pressing against my ribs. The dread. I don’t want her near a single one of my siblings, much less all of them at once.