“I’m not letting you leave this room until you give me your answer,” he bit out.
“I’ll agree on one condition.”
A smile creeped up his face.“Name it.”
“My father will live with us.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.Is that all?”
“No rushing the ceremony.”
He canted his head.“Now, Eden.That’s not very romantic.”
My heart sank when I realized there was no getting out of this.Buying time would give me an opportunity to think my way out of it if possible.My priority at the moment was protecting people from his wrath, and that meant placating him.
I steeled myself.The last thing I wanted him to see was my fear.“We both know this isn’t a love match, so I need time to sort through personal matters and finances.”
“Done,” he finally said.“See how easy that was?Intelligent women go far in this world.Since you’re obviously a smart cookie, give me a timeline by tomorrow morning.And don’t forget to include all these personal matters you have going on that are delaying our auspicious day.”
“All right.”
He leaned in close to my ear and whispered, “That’s my girl.You won’t regret this.”Before drawing back, he added, “I don’t like roadblocks, so don’t put any between us.”
His threatening words made my heart jump.“Okay.”
“Good.”He drew back and gripped the doorknob.“Don’t ask me again if I had anything to do with that murder.You should know better than anyone that slander is against the law, and it would ruin my business and future earnings.”Henry opened the door, and the music floated in from the main room.“And wear shorter heels.I don’t like these.Maybe I’ll buy you a classy pair of Gucci shoes.Would you like that?”
Henry had undoubtedly used Marcus to set up Lucian, and if I didn’t play my cards right, Deacon might be next.
Chapter19
Isped down the dark road toward the jailhouse.My conversation with Henry left me sick to my stomach.While my gut told me Henry was behind the murder, I lacked sufficient evidence to accuse him and take action.Real life isn’t a TV show where the bad guys are locked up.In human courts, they were innocent until proven guilty.With Breed, we were guilty until proven innocent.
My commitment to the law meant I needed to safeguard my fellow Councilmen from potential repercussions.Henry could easily twist this around on me, and the ripple effect was unpredictable.Unless he confessed or we found evidence that linked back to him, he had me under his thumb.
After the guard slammed the door, I headed to Lucian’s cell.We had arrested someone earlier that morning, but the Enforcers had already stopped by to collect the Mage and deal with him.That left the room empty.
Lucian was standing in the middle of his shadowy cell, the dim lights in the outer hall barely reaching him.A beige blanket was heaped in a pile on his cot, which was bolted to the floor.Prisoners were given the bare minimum: a bed, a toilet, and a sink.
“Hi,” I said, noticing someone had brought him black sweatpants and a grey T-shirt.I set two paper bags by the opening at the bottom where we slid their food tray through.“The guard says you’re not eating.”
“I’m not hungry.”
I gestured to the bags.“Calvin dug around in the fridge and found Bear’s leftover spaghetti.If you want, I can heat it up.”The silence created distance between us.“I wish you would eat.”
Lucian squatted and pulled the bag inside his cell.After opening it, he took out the container and a plastic fork.
“The utensils are contraband,” I pointed out.“I could get in trouble for giving you that.”
“I’ll put it back in the bag when I’m done.It’s not much of a weapon.The prongs always snap off.”He took a giant forkful of the spaghetti and shoveled it into his mouth.Lucian seemed listless and inside his thoughts.“How’s your father?”
I leaned against the wall behind me.“Montana drove out to check on him and make dinner.”
Lucian choked on his spaghetti.After swallowing his bite, a smile played on his lips.“I hope it doesn’t involve rice.”
“How’s your head?Did the medicine help?”
He wound up more noodles around his fork.“Yeah.A lot.Thanks for that.”
