Page 113 of Taken In Trade
“Oh, nice.” My head bobs up and down like a chicken. I really have no idea what else to say about that.
“Anyway, good luck.”
I’m probably going to need it.
Hawk holds the door open to the dressing room.
I’m just about to step inside when I hear my name.
My head whips up, and my brothers rush down the hallway.
“Oh my god,” I hiss, jabbing a finger at them. “No way. Why are you here? You can’t be here!”
Technically speaking, it’s required for each family head to notify and invite all other family heads to all claiming ceremonies. If a family skips the ceremony, they can never contest its validity, but almost all avoid being present when they have a son or daughter involved. That should also apply to sisters and brothers. There's no reason for them to be here.
“We aren’t staying,” Victor says, coming to a stop a few feet away.
Hawk comes over, wrapping his arm around my lower back. “No closer,” he growls as Vance stops at Victor’s side.
“She’s our sister,” Victor says, sounding annoyed.
“Who needs enemies when you have family like that,” Hawk says, nodding at the twins.
“Why are you here?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.
Hawk sends steady comfort through the bond, and it shores up my edges.
Julian’s betrayal wasn’t much of a surprise, but my brothers shocked me. I thought more of them than how they acted, and it still stings.
“We just wanted to check on you,” Vance says, his brown eyes staring straight into mine. “To make sure Moretti is treating you right.”
I almost scoff.
Okay, no.
I actually do.
It’s a snorting scoff.
“Are you kidding?” I blink incredulously. “You really want to ask me that when you’ve stood by and let your father torment me for years?”
“Julian isn’t a soft man,” Victor says. “You think he’s any kinder to the two of us? You’ve seen the hoops he’s put us through?—”
“I really don’t care,” I deadpan. “You two make the choice to stay and pander to him.”
“It’s not that simple, and you know it,” Vance says calmly. “But he went too far with Grigoryan, and we told him as much. The house has been a war zone.”
Julian has always loved to take it out on everyone when he’s pissed. I couldn’t be in the house with him without sensing the negative energy, but when he was angry, it was a whole different level of misery.
When I was around, he directed that hatred at me. Now that I’m not, I wouldn’t be shocked to learn he’s taking his mood swings out on the twins.
Only, I’m not sure that’s my problem.
“I have to get ready,” I say, nodding toward the door to the dressing room. “Moretti is a great husband. I have no complaints. I’m sorry Julian is being Julian. I appreciate you guys coming to check on me.”
“You’re really okay?” Vance asks, and for a split second, I see the older brother I knew ten years ago, back before our mom died.
“I am,” I tell him truthfully. “And for what it’s worth, I think you should hold your ground about Grigoryan. That man is vile. If Julian puts you in business with him, you’ll be stuck with the repercussions long afteryourfather is dead.”
