He cocks an eyebrow, his lips turning up on one side.
“Noted.” Mason smirks. “But if you are planning on stealing this one, tell me now. I’m going to need the cavalry to get it out of here. Ma loves it more than me.”
“Her,” I correct him. “Andhername is Luna.”
“I told you I’m not good with girls’ names.” He winks. “Now let’s go. Ma starts shooting things if people are late.”
“Is that what happened to the grandfather clock?” I motiontoward the tall clock against the pillar with a bullet hole in its face.
“That…” He chuckles. “Was actually your fault.”
Alessia, Reginald Grant, James, Kane, Thomas Pike, his wife Beth, Hugo, and, to my surprise, Charlotte are already seated as Mason walks me to the table. Thankfully, the rest of the Council families were only here for the meeting.
“She was hiding on the balcony withyour dog,” Mason tells Alessia, accusingly.
“Evangelina!” Reginald Grant nods at me with a pressed smile.
I greet him and Mr. and Mrs. Pike as we make our way to our seats. Charlotte shoots daggers at me, her eyes trailing down to Mason’s hand on my waist as we reach the only two empty seats between her and Alessia. Not wanting to sit next to her, I slip beside Alessia, even if that puts Mason beside Charlotte. Even I’m surprised how little that bothers me now. Especially when Mason rejects any attempts at conversation with her, too busy being jealous of the furry pet who sets her head on my lap and settles there.
“How’s your brother?” Reginald finally asks, breaking the awkward silence.
“Who cares? He’s a fucking prick who’s determined to destroy Fort,” Hugo chimes in. “Filey sold out to them this morning.”
“Eat your food and shut your mouth,” Thomas Pike barks at his son.
“I haven’t spoken to him lately,” I reply to Reginald, desperate to close the subject. Since I know less than nothing anyway. “He is in the States.”
“Well, next time you speak to him, tell him he owes me a call,” Reginald presses.
“She’s not your fucking messenger,” Mason growls, casually leaning an arm over the back of my chair. Reginald and Mason lock into a hard stare.
“I’ll be happy to pass him your regards, thank you,” I mutter quickly, then inhale a forkful of the lasagna. “This is delicious, Alessia,” I compliment her. Though honestly, I prefer Mason’s.
“It goes well with the wine.” She fills my glass while Mason and Reginald continue to glare at each other in silence.
“Tell me,” Reginald starts again. “Does Daniel approve of Mason?”
I bite my lip, side-eyeing Mason, who looks like he’s about to explode.
“I didn’t ask,” I state plainly, which earns me a smile from Alessia.
“I would have thought he’d be the first to warn you. Though I don’t think a clever girl like you needs a warning. Surely you know you deserve better.”
“Smettila, Reg.” Alessia hisses.Stop it.
“Well, you have been warned now, Miss Etheridge. If I were you, I wouldrun.”
Mason’s hand curls into a fist on his thigh. I dig my fingers in until he unclenches and lets me in, but his grip is so tight, my fingers throb a little.
“I’m going to light your fucking truce on fire if you don’t back the fuck off.”
“The truce is on fire while you are with her.”
“Good. No one wants it, except you.”
“The Council isn’t run by toddlers yet. When it is, you’ll be the first call.”
“Basta!” A hand slaps the table so hard, all the plates shake. I grab my glass of wine just in time, before it tips over Luna. All eyes flash to Alessia. “Not at my table,” Alessia bellows. “Find another time to go at each other’s throats.”
