Page 16 of The Retreat

The doors open, the butler welcomes us, and I acknowledge him with a nod.

With a hand on my lower back, Owen leads me to the formal living room, no doubt for pre-dinner drinks. His parents have drinks in their hands and look furious. Good, because I need a damn stiff one to get through this.

“Owen.”

His mother looks like a viper ready to strike. Luckily for me, I’m not unfamiliar.

“Beatrice.” I smile sweetly at her. “It’s so kind of you to host our families for dinner.”

Owen sighs.

I know using her first name when not specifically given permission, as if she is my equal, will piss her off. She zeroes in on me like I figured she would.

“I’m going to need you two to explain yourselves. Married? And to each other? I knew of Oliver’s proclivities, but you, Owen?” she demands, striding toward us.

Owen shrugs, his Oliver sneer forming on his mouth. “No one really expects anything of me, do they?”

“Looked up the marriage certificate, did you?” They probably have someone running checks regularly for this type of thing for all three of the Godfrey kids. “Fascinating. So are you angry he didn’t tell you or that he’s married to a man, or just me specifically?” Before she can answer, I turn to Owen and place my hand on his chest. “Darling, can you grab me a glass of red, please? I’m parched.”

I see how badly he wants to roll his eyes, but he smiles and says, “Of course, darling.”

I lean in to kiss his cheek, and he tenses for a second, glaring at me behind his mother’s back when he walks away. Oh, tonight is going to be a ton of fun.

“Listen here, you insignificant little shit—” Mrs. Godfrey is interrupted by the arrival of my parents.

The butler introduces them, and they glare, much like Owen did.

Such fun.

“Mother, Daddy,” Owen snorts and coughs, “so nice to see you.”

“I should have expected this from you, Colin, but I expected a more level head from a Godfrey!” my father shouts.

“So we are starting with raised voices, then?” I wink at him for good measure, just in case he didn’t get my meaning the first time. “What can I say? I’m very persuasive.”

Owen gives me an unamused look when he hands me my glass, and I blow him a kiss. He ignores it and chugs what smells like straight vodka.

“We’re in love.” Owen takes a quick pause from sucking down his drink. “Isn’t getting married what people in love do?” He deadpans it to a stone-cold room. “Right, I forgot. None of you would know what love is.”

I cough, unable to hold back my laugh.

“And how long have you been in love, exactly? Colin isn’t exactly quiet about his flavor of the week,” my mother asks.

“A ruse, mother, to protect Owen’s privacy until he was ready.”

“And the pictures?” my father asks.

“Staged.” I shrug, and Owen tenses. “I’d do anything to protect him.”

“And how do I know this isn’t a game just to get a rise out of me and to ruin your sister’s future?” my father’s thunderous yell fills the room.

“It’s a bit extreme, even for me. Would I do anything I didn’t want to do? Not likely, even for Cassie.” A lie, but they’d never know it. My parents would always see me as the black sheep. “And I’m not ruining anything but your botched attempt to sell off Cassie. If anything, I’m saving her. Unless Olivia is looking for a new fiancé and is interested?” I turn to the Godfreys, and they appear horror stricken. “I’ll take that as a no. I guess two gay children is enough…”

Owen has finished his drink and is starting a second one.

“That’s enough.” Owen’s voice isn’t loud, but there’s a power in it that everyone turns toward. “I’m in love with Colin. We are married. Any attempts to undermine our union will be met with equal hostility, and believe me when I say Olivia and Oliver stand with me.”

That shuts them all up, and I might have heart eyes.

---