Page 21
They can’t. They’re not supposed to.
Kain slumps into the seat directly opposite me, slinging a casual arm over the backrest. The movement makes my lip twitch with annoyance as he grins at me. He doesn’t bother to plate any food for himself, instead he takes an empty one and places it in front of me, then drops a chocolate croissant onto it before leaning back again, shooting me a wink.
Motherfu—
“Yes. For your future at Blackcastle,” Mother tells me. “Since we’re Westbrooks now—”
“You’re a Westbrook,” I correct her.
“I’m quite offended you wouldn’t want to class yourself as a Westbrook, Jordan.” Heath booms a laugh across the table like he just told the funniest joke on planet earth.
I remember myself then and the role I’m supposed to be playing. I slipped up—Kain made it happen. I need their trust. “Oh! Of course I’m proud to be part of your remarkable family. And I must say, my time at St Anton’s has made me aware of my sins of the past.” I take a fleeting glance at Kain. “I deeply regret my mistakes. It won’t happen again.” The bullet hits its target and Kain shifts in his seat, seemingly chewing on nothing in particular.
Dorrian scowls as he assesses everyone at the table. I didn’t see him at the gathering last night, but seeing his face again has me remembering Cassie. My heart squeezes with her memory. I need to know if she is okay.
“I’m glad to hear,” Mother says, picking up a platter of fruit and placing a few on a fresh plate in front of her. “I’ve heard another but praise from the clergy there.”
I chomp down on the words dancing on the tip of my tongue that want to tell her how wrong she is, along with the croissant I just took a rough bite of.
Heath looks at me. “I hope your room is sufficient enough.”
Dorrian’s fork clatters and Kain leans back in his chair, leather jacket groaning as he folds his arms. Dorrian decides to join the conversation. “I think you have more important things to talk about than her room.”
Mother nods. “Now is a perfect time to talk about your future marriage.”
My saliva almost lodges in my throat, but I manage to swallow it down. I can’t help myself, I look over at Kain, who’s sitting straighter in his chair, finger relentlessly tapping on the white cloth.
You knew this was coming. You knew this was coming.
“Kain will be proposing to Lacey soon, and your fiancé will be arriving in the next few weeks to get settled in,” Heath states.
The mention of Lacey has my throat burning up for reasons it absolutely shouldn’t be and I can practically hear the grind of Kain’s teeth. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he actually hates the idea of either of us marrying off to someone else, but his act isn’t fooling anyone but himself. Him and Lacey can both burn in Hell together.
“We think it’s a good idea you help with the church. Father Michaels would like you to have your communion before you consummate a marriage.” Mother stuffs a piece of watermelon into her mouth.
I put a mental clamp on my throat, when all I really want to do is scream.
Dorrian clears his throat. “Who, exactly, will she be marrying?”
Heath drops his napkin onto his empty plate. “Jordan is familiar with her soon-to-be fiancé. We’re not complete monsters; we wouldn’t marry her off to someone she doesn’t know.”
Heat rushes to my face, a head of pristinely styled blonde hair and blue eyes flash in my mind, making my jaw wobble before I clamp my teeth down to stop it. Kain’s gaze is piercing through me, adding to the pressure building in my head.
Samuel fists his hand in my hair. “My beautiful, future bride,” he growls, yanking my head back painfully.
I fix my eyes to the chocolate croissant and my stomach growls.
“We heard she was quite the student for him.” Mother places her knife and fork neatly on her plate. “We can’t wait for it.”
“Student?” Kain’s question gets lost when Heath’s chair scrapes as he stands.
“But for now, let me take Jordan to church. She has some paperwork to fill out.”
I thought I was coming back to end this, but it looks like everything is only just beginning.
7
Jordan
