"I think he's planning something," my brother goes on. "Something that could potentially be disastrous. Just be ready, okay?"
"I'll keep an eye out." I tuck myself under the duvet. "Thanks, Brazen."
It's the first time I've felt a connection with my brother, and we share a look of understanding before he leaves the room. His words keep playing in my mind as I slowly drift into a dreamless sleep.
It's the weekend, but I still have to get up early for the family breakfast. I'm not certain whether Father will be there, but judging by the fact that a tight-lipped Belle woke me up hours after Brazen left, I'm assuming he has something to tell us.
I get ready, dressing up in a simple navy shift dress and pairing it with some nude ballet flats. I scrutinize my appearance in the mirror, wondering whether Father or anyone else will be able to tell what I'd been up to the previous night. I feel like Dexter still has his claws on me, as if I'm bearing his invisible brand that marks me as his property now, and forever.
I curl my hair into pretty ringlets and apply some light makeup before heading downstairs. Tatianna and my stepmother are already sitting at the table with ashen faces, but neither Brazen nor Father are anywhere to be seen.
I slide into my seat and ladle food on my plate while Bryony stares at me with a horrified expression.
"You're having that much?" she asks, obviously scandalized. "It's all going to go right to your ass, girl."
"Great," I mutter in response. "Will make it comfier to sit down."
She shakes her head and continues picking at her grapefruit slices, while Tianna exchanges a smile with me. I wish the girl would be more open to building a friendship. I'm eager to get to know her better, but so far, she's been a closed book.
A moment later, Brazen enters the room. His face is stormy and he doesn't say anything as he sits down next to us at the table, glaring at each one of us for a few seconds. He fills up his plate and we eat in silence, but it's anything but companionable. I feel beads of sweat erupt on my forehead. I'm nervous as fuck. Father won't be in a good mood today, and I'd bet anything he'll pick me as his victim yet again. I'm the easiest target, after all.
The tension in the room is palpable until we all finally hear footsteps in the hallway. We exchange glances. Bryony pushes her plate away and we all stand up, anticipating Father's entrance. I keep my eyes trained on my plate, not wanting to look at him, but when the footsteps draw nearer, I hear Tianna's shocked gasp next to me. I grab her hand and squeeze, hard, and she squeezes back. It's a small sign of camaraderie in this fucked up house.
"Sit down." Father's words come out muffled, as if he's got something in his mouth. I keep my eyes trained on my half-empty plate and plop down back on the chair. My heart is racing a million miles a minute, and I can barely breathe. I know whatever is coming won't be good for me. "Pandora."
I wince at the sound of my name. Here we go. He's going to hurt me now and make some lame excuse about me needing discipline.
"Yes, Father?"
"Look at me when I'm speaking to you, girl."
I swallow thickly, closing my eyes for a second to gather my composure. Then, I slowly lift my head, my gaze meeting Father's.
What I see renders me speechless. Father's face is a mess. He's got stitches in his eyebrow and another few on his lip. His mouth is horrible swollen, his cheekbone seems broken, and his right eye has swollen shut. He’s a mess, and looking at him makes me feel physically ill. I look away, unable to handle the weight of his stare.
"I said, fucking look at me."
He seems adamant, and I know I'm in trouble whether I obey or not, so I force myself to stare right into his eyes, what's visible of them, anyway.
"I'm sorry, Father."
"You see what your brother did to me?" He laughs, but it turns into a wheeze halfway through. He coughs and sputters, but I force myself to keep my eyes trained on him like he wanted. "Takes a strong man to take down someone like me."
I'm desperate to tell him that can't be true. Without his army of help, Emilian Oakes is fucking nothing. But I'm wise enough to keep my mouth shut and wait for the punishment I know will be coming, regardless of what I do.
"How are you feeling, Daddy?" Tianna pipes up next to me, her voice small and fragile. Father ignores her completely, his attention still on me.
"Since you've fucked away your prospect in this town," Father drawls. "I've decided I might as well treat you as the whore you so desperately want to be."
I furrow my brows, muttering, "What's that supposed to mean?"
He smirks. It looks painful, and I hope every move he makes hurts, and reminds him of what a piece of shit he is deep down. My skin prickles, anticipating Father's answer. I know he's going to hurt me now. I know he's going to take his anger on Brazen out on me. And even though I'd never admit it out loud, I'm fucking terrified.
"It means," Father goes on with a beatific smile. "I'm going to offer your hand in marriage to the highest bidder."
"What?" I jump up from my seat, overwhelmed by emotion. "You can't do that without my consent."
"Oh, I can do plenty of things without your consent." He grimaces, his face managing to look triumphant despite the state he's in. "This being only one of them. Of course, I don't assume you'll be listening to me for much longer. Your husband will take care of that all by himself, won't he?"