Page 11 of Consume Me

“Because not only would we create an irrevocable unity—six families truly becoming one—but we would also correct a longstanding wrongdoing. Despite all the arranged marriages and business dealings, the founding families never truly trusted one another. They were constantly in competition, always trying to outdo each other.

“Clara Arison, the only woman among them, became the most powerful. She refused to marry because she would have forfeited her position to her husband by doing so. When she died, her name and influence disappeared with her. However, she had devised a set of rules—trust, respect, togetherness. But greed and thirst for power corrupted the future generations, shattering her vision.”

“I don’t give a damn about carrying that asshole’s name,” Kaden says, taking Celine’s hand and interlacing their fingers on the table.

“Fuck it. Fine,” Dane says, and Abigail caresses his cheek, eyes brimming with adoration.

“Unity, that’s a work in progress at the moment,” Hunter says, looking around the table.

“You will all serve the Family, continuing the legacy under one name, ending the century-old competition.”

A reverent silence falls around us. Cassandra has a point, and deep down, we all want to be free of the connection to our fathers’ names. A clean slate, a fresh beginning—it sounds almost too good.

When dinner ends, I remain seated. Before the group leaves, they steal glances at me and then at Cassandra.

“They’ll think I have a favorite as a matriarch.”

I chuckle. “I’m nobody’s favorite. Just a secret weapon.”

“Don’t diminish our connection.”

“The matriarch role looks good on you.”

She smiles, shaking her head at me. “Something I never wanted, yet it is what it is.”

“You’re doing better than I imagined.”

“Our demons won’t disappear, Blake. We’ll just have to live with them. Accept our pasts and overcome what we went through by moving forward. I am glad you’re back.”

I open my mouth to rebut her, but she cuts me off by adding, “You believe you don’t have a place at the table. Ijust gave you one. Now, it’s up to you if you want it to be temporary or permanent. But as long as you’re here, I want you to experience some normalcy. Enjoy college.”

“That is not why I came back.”

“War is coming. Enjoy the small break.”

She calls for Samuel, who appears immediately, but with his back to me, I can’t see what he gives her. Side by side, we walk outside, and then she hands me the keys to my McLaren.

“Thank you.”

“Now, go back to the house and get settled in.”

“Fine, Cassandra. I hope you know what you’re doing by bringing me back,” I say, and I get into my black sports car.

The engine purrs under me, a growly and powerful beast roaring with its hundreds of horsepower. The leather seat sucks me in, and satisfaction pumps my blood as I wrap my fingers around the wheel. I’ve missed this car. Driving away, I turn on the music, the deep bass sounds engulfing me, but the drive to campus is short—too short.

The security guy sees me and opens the gates. Once I park in front of the house, I lean my head against the headrest, needing a moment. While they don’t deserve my loyalty after accusing me of being a traitor and a mole, I’ll only stop caring about them once I’m dead.

Stepping inside, I follow the raised voices coming from the living room and ready myself for the unwelcome greeting. Without Cassandra as the buffer, they won’t go easy on me.

I should go to my room, shower, and try to sleep. But the moment I pass the living room, Kaden grips my neck and pushesme into the wall. Anger and disappointment war in his eyes. “You fucking asshole.”

“I won’t tell you twice. Get your hands off me or I’ll make you.”

“Bring it on. You want to fight, let’s fight,” he snarls.

Celine stands up from the couch, and he releases me.

“Tonight is girls’ night out. And none of us want to come back and find a single scratch on your bodies,” she says.

---