“Sit down.” Carter drills him with a look. “We have other matters to attend to.”
There’s a knock on the door, and a man wearing a silver robe enters. Carter gets up and comes around to stand behind Jase and me. He places one hand on each of our shoulders. “Our most pressing matter is ensuring these young people are sworn in. We cannot leave the Sloth family without a Luminary leader. Stand.”
“I thought we had to attend an ascension ceremony?” I ask as Carter steers us over toward the dude in the silver cloak.
Rhett looks like he wants to murder me for speaking out of turn. It is my husband who responds. “A Master of Ceremony can perform essential ceremonies at times of grave urgency. They have the authority to anoint heirs, administer oaths, and invoke initiations without resorting to the ritualistic ceremonies.”
“Jason is correct,” Rhett says, digging his fingers into my shoulder in silent warning as we come to a stop in front of the man. “We will conduct a celebratory ceremony in the new year, but it will only be a formality. Today will make it official.”
Rage charges through me, and I can’t help myself. Shucking his hand away, I spin around and shove his chest. “You mean to tell me I could have just done this instead of being forced into that invasive, abusive, archaic initiation ceremony?”
Rhett grips my arm painfully. A vein pops in his neck and he looks like he’s seconds away from slapping me. “Our ceremonies take precedence as it is the traditional way our forefathers made their commitments. It is only in extreme emergency situations we allow this to happen. That was not the case with your initiation.” He digs his fingers into my arm, and I wince. “This insubordination has been noticed. You are about to ascend to the highest position a woman can hold in our society. Show some goddamned respect!”
Jase grabs hold of his wrist and pulls on it. “Get your hands off my wife.” He levels him with a lethal look that has all the tiny hairs lifting on the back of my neck. A tense standoff ensues as Carter makes a show of gripping my arm tighter while facing off with my husband. “I would not underestimate me right now, Carter. Back away from my wife, or I’ll make you.”
Eric Stewart walks over to us. “Everyone, back down. Remember the greater good. We are not enemies.”
Oh, the irony.
I want to tell Jase’s dad to fuck off, but he’s right. I let my anger get the better of me. I can’t forget Lilianna. Angering Rhett risks her life. I’m instantly chastised. “I apologize,” I say through gritted teeth. “I was disrespectful. It won’t happen again. I am ready to commit.”
Carter removes his hand, and Jase pulls me into his side, still glaring at my bio dad. Eric fixes his son with a warning look as I squeeze Jase’s hand, and he backs down.
We turn around and the Master of Ceremonies speaks, first in Latin and then English. We repeat our vows after him, and then we are formally announced as the Sloth Luminary and his wife.
After we have reclaimed our seats, Walter moves to stand again. Carter lifts one hand, and two armed guards move over and stand behind the Pride & Wrath Luminary’s chair.
“We are done when I say we’re done,” Carter grits out.
“You’re not in charge,” Walter spits out. “We are all equal, and you can’t keep me here.” He stands, glancing over his shoulder at the guards and scowling. His fingers move to his hip, clutching thin air. Everyone who enters HQ must hand over their weapons, so the only people armed in the room are the guards who are all clearly under Carter’s thumb. Salinger is panicking and making bad choices. He knows what’s coming next. He knows he’s screwed, and there is nothing he can do about it.
“Judgment day has arrived,” Ares says, shooting his uncle a look laced with venom. A smug grin washes over his face. “It’s time to pay the consequences of your actions.”
A muscle clenches in Walter’s jaw as he glares at his nephew.
If Rhett is surprised we know more he doesn’t show it. “Sit down, Salinger, or my guards will make you.”
Reluctantly, Walter drops into the chair, looking agitated and defeated.
“Before we get on with this, we have the matter of Pamela Manford to discuss. Although James would do and say anything to protect his sister, I believe she is innocent,” Carter says, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m guessing he knew James would take all the blame, so him looking like he was throwing Mom to the dogs was all for show. “Doug and James manipulated Pamela her entire life. She doesn’t deserve to be punished.” I hate my dad is being thrown into the mix, but I know if he was here he would do this for Mom.
“I agree,” Stewart says.
Both men turn to look at Jase. “I agree.” He squeezes my thigh under the table.
Every set of eyes turn to Salinger.
He growls. “You don’t need my vote. It’s already agreed.”
“You are still, at this moment, the Pride & Wrath Luminary. You must cast your vote,” Carter says.
“Remember your responsibility,” Stewart adds.
“Fine. I agree.” Walter tosses it out there like a toddler throwing toys out of his stroller.
“Are we in agreement to appoint Pamela Manford as CEO of Manford Media?” Carter asks next, and one by one, the four Luminaries agree. “Very well. On to the next matter at hand.” Carter removes a new set of papers from his briefcase. He moves around the table, handing out the pages.
“What are we looking at?” Jase asks as we skim down the report.
