“Good.” I move to the side of the bed and brush her hair back from her face. “Keep taking the antibiotics. I’ll change the dressing when I get back.”
She catches my wrist, her fingers small against my skin. “Something’s wrong. What’s going on?”
That’s the thing about Saint, she notices everything, reads the tension in my shoulders, the tightness around my eyes.
“Roman wants to see me this morning.” I don’t sugarcoat it. She deserves the truth, even if it’s ugly. “About the ceremony.”
Her breath catches. Fingers tighten on my wrist. “Do you know what he wants?”
“No, and I fucking hate it.”
“It’s soon, isn’t it?”
“A few days, but I’m going to try to buy us some more time. I need more time.”
She nods like she was expecting that answer, her face controlled but I can see the fear rippling beneath the surface. “You’re going to stop it if you can, right? You said?—”
“Right now I’m trying to buy us some more time,” I emphasize.
“There’s only so much time, Calder.” She says it matter-of-factly, like she’s less concerned than I know she actually is, hell than I am myself, but I see the slight tremble in her hands and the way her throat works as she swallows.
It hits me that she doesn’t trust me, not completely, and I can’t blame her. I allowed her to face the horror of that ceremony when I knew it was wrong. I allowed my father to mark her. And I can’t take it back.
“Don’t worry about this right now. Let me try to find a solution.”
I lean down and press my lips to her forehead. “I’ll be back by noon. Stay inside. Rest.”
“Calder.” She catches my hand as I turn to leave. “Be careful. I don’t know what you’re planning, but I can see something there in your face. You can share it with me, you know? And I think I have a right to know what I’m facing, one way or the other.”
I swallow a sharp retort. She’s been hot and cold since everything happened, and now she wants me to be careful? Demands more answers when I’m not ready to give them. I sigh and nod.
“I will. There’s nothing to suspect on his front yet.” I’m not ready to drag her into this, and even if I do end up having to use her help, I don’t want to put her in any deeper than necessary.
The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but I say it anyway because it’s what she needs to hear. Because the truth is worse: Roman already suspects. He’s just waiting for me to confirm it.
The drive to the main house doesn’t take long, down the winding dirt road that cuts through Bishop land. The morning light spills over the mountains, painting everything in shades of gold and amber, making the land look softer than it is. More forgiving than it’s ever been.
Roman’s truck is parked near the house, along with Sawyer’s SUV and Kade’s mud-splattered pickup. A family meeting, then. Not just about the ceremony. Something else. None of my brothers texted me to warn me. That doesn’t bode well.
I park and head inside, boots heavy on the wooden porch. The screen door slams behind me, announcing my arrival before I can make it to the dining room, where I can already hear voices. It’s his favorite place to stamp his boot on our necks.
The talking stops as soon as I walk in. Roman sits at the head of the table, coffee mug in hand, watching me like a wolf staring down a pack of deer. Kade and Sawyer flank him at the table, and Levi leans against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. Elena isn’t here—no surprise. She never attends these family meetings unless specifically ordered to.
“You’re late,” Roman says, voice clipped.
I check my watch. “I’m right on time.”
“Not according to my message.” Roman sets down his mug with a sharp click against the wood. “I said seven. It’s seven fifteen.”
Petty power plays are his specialty. I don’t rise to the bait, just pull out a chair and sit. “What’s this about?”
“The full moon ceremony. It’s on Friday.”
“Saint’s still healing.”
Roman’s eyes narrow. “It’s been two weeks. The brand is just a brand. Women have endured worse and still spread their legs when told.”
I feel the muscle in my jaw jump. Force myself to keep my expression neutral. “She’s been on antibiotics. Running a fever. The last thing we need is an infection setting in because we rushed this.”
