“Training has already started, and classes commence next week. I’m sure my absence would be noted.”
“That is your only saving grace,” he says before sipping his drink.
I take a healthy mouthful, welcoming the burn as it glides down my throat. I decide to cut to the chase. “You know why I’m here,” I say through gritted teeth, working hard to rein my anger and frustration in. “I’m not moving in with Julia and that’s final.”
A dry laugh tumbles from my father’s chest as he sets his glass down and flicks a piece of imaginary lint off the sleeve of his pinstripe tailored suit. “You don’t get a choice,” he drawls, eyeballing me with piercing green eyes I share. “I have been far too lenient with you as it is. You’re a freshman in college now, and it’s time for you to play your part. You have responsibilities to this family and the organization as a whole. You cannot shirk your duties.”
“I’m not your heir, so you can cut me some slack. I have four years of college to fulfil my familial duties.”
He leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk as he stares at me. “You act like you are the only one who has to step up when you know that isn’t the case. Your peers, their heirs and siblings, and siblings of masters are all in the same position. You have graduated high school and ascended to the next level. Your college years are pivotal in your development, and you need to start as you mean to go on. No son of mine will undermine my status and reputation by denying his duties and responsibilities.”
I drain the rest of my drink and place my empty glass down on the desk, working hard to leash my anger. “I’m not denying them, Father. I know what I must do. I’m just questioning why now. At least give me this first semester to settle in and adjust to college life.” I need to buy more time to find a permanent solution.
“Don’t lie to me, boy, or you’ll be sorry.” A glimpse of anger flashes on his face before disappearing behind the cold indifferent expression he usually wears. “I know this is about that Shaw girl.”
I mask my surprise before it shows on my face. I’m not surprised he knows because there is nothing that goes on The Luminaries don’t know about. I am surprised he has articulated it though. This is a first. “It is,” I truthfully reply.
“She can never be yours, and I never should have allowed it to continue.”
I scoff out a laugh. “As if you could stop me.”
“Come now, son. Don’t pretend to be naïve. We both know I could have easily stopped you. I still can.”
Cold dread tiptoes up my spine and I sit straighter in my chair. “Are you threatening Ashley?”
He arches a brow. “I don’t know? Am I?” He throws the ball back in my court, watching me with shrewd eyes as he takes another sip of his drink.
ChapterFour
Jase
Igrip the armrests of my chair, digging my nails into the taut leather, as I glare at him. “If you lay one finger on Ash, I will kill you,” I hiss.
He’s around the table in a flash, yanking me up by my shirt and shoving me sideways until my back hits the wall.
I could get him off me in a nanosecond.
Flick him away like an annoying insect because I have height, weight, strength, and youth on my side.
But my father is not to be underestimated.
He is skilled in all forms of combat, and he keeps himself fit.
He’s killed and tortured more men than I’ve had hot dinners and outmaneuvered men arguably more intelligent. He may not be as lethally devious as the Pride & Wrath Luminary, as excessively compulsive as the Greed & Gluttony Luminary, or as cunningly sharp as the Sloth Luminary, but he is skillfully persuasive, and he has talked his way out of more situations than anyone I know.
My father’s real talent is hiding and waiting and manipulating and I can’t ever forget it. My actions and reactions will feed into his planning, meaning Ash’s welfare is in my hands. I won’t do anything to risk her life, so I don’t push him away as he holds me against the wall, close to losing his legendary control.
“You don’t get to threaten a Luminary and live to tell the tale. Our shared blood won’t protect you.” He releases my shirt and grips my face in a painful hold. “This is why I need to act now. You’ve always been a loose cannon, Jason, but it ends here.” He gives me one last shove before stalking back to his chair.
Reluctantly, I follow, reclaiming my seat.
Draining his drink in one go, he slams the glass down on his precious desk. Ordinarily, I would take pleasure in seeing the unflappable Eric Stewart with ruffled feathers. But I get no enjoyment seeing him like this, knowing I may have placed Ashley in danger.
There is only one thing, well, two things, I can do to protect her.
“I love her.” I admit something I haven’t even told Ashley. How could I when I will still have to walk away? I admit it now to my father in the hope it’s enough to keep her safe.
He barks out a cynical laugh. “You know nothing of love. Love is for the weak and foolish. Why else have we valued arranged marriages and familial partnerships for hundreds of generations? Because joint loyalties and bonded ties are what keep people focused, loyal, and smart. Not love.”
