Page 93 of Demise

“I’m proud of you.”

A bitter laugh tears through me as I look at him.

“Proud? Of me? For what?”

“You held yourself together well and—”

“No, I didn’t,” I bellow. “I fell apart in that room. I’m falling apart right now. Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not happening.”

Ronan is quiet for a moment before he nods.

“You’re gonna be a great leader one day, Asher.”

I want to laugh at him, that’s not the compliment he thinks it is.

“I’m saying,” he continues. “You’ll be good for the Brethren, better than your father. You have the capability to be ruthless out of loyalty, but the moral compass to discern what is right and wrong. Your father doesn’t have that. You will be better.”

I take little comfort in that as Ronan drives through Salem. When we get to my father’s place, I don’t even wait for the car to stop before I open the door. I decide to use the side entrance through the kitchen so I don’t have to deal with the whole goddamn welcoming committee. I just need to find Skyla.

As soon as I push through the door, an aggressive whisper hits my ears.

“You will knock off this attitude or so help me,” a woman says before I recognize her as Calista Brenton, formerly Calista Bartlett. Maggie’s mom.

The bright red hair is the only thing they have in common. Her mom has been under the knife so many times she’s beginning to look like a ventriloquist doll. She apparently has enough movement in her face to make a scowl, though.

Harry Brenton is standing beside his wife, a matching scowl on his face as Calista continues.

“You have the audacity to disrespect one of Harry’s business partners’ sons? You’re lucky we’re even finding a match for you! Left to your own devices, you’d be living on the street within a month.”

Maggie shrugs like she’s bored.

“I’m sure I could find a kind woman to let me stay in her bed for a night or two.”

My eyebrows shoot up at her antics. Liam’s parents hate his sexuality, too, but he never goads them like that. Rage flickers in Calista’s eyes as she winds back her hand, smacking Maggie across the face. Maggie’s head whips to the side and I push fully through the door.

“That’s enough!” I snap.

Calista and Harry both startle at my presence, bowing their heads like the good little subordinates they are.

“Mr. Putnam,” Harry says as Calista keeps her head bowed.

“What’s going on in here?” I ask as I step in between Maggie and her mother and stepfather.

“Just a little family matter. Nothing to bother you with. Congratulations.” Calista smiles in a way that I’m sure secured Bridgette’s father after her husband had a mysterious heart attack in the middle of the night.

“I am concerned. I’m concerned you just struck my wife’s best friend. Lay another finger on her, and I’ll have you buried six feet under before you can even move your bought and paid for lips,” I snarl.

Calista shrinks back, flinching as I speak before Harry steps in.

“It won’t happen again. Our apologies for bringing this ugliness to your party.”

“See to it that it doesn’t,” I say, offering my arm for Maggie while keeping my eyes on her parents.

Maggie’s arm loops through mine and we push out of the kitchen, pausing in the hallway when she pulls her arm from me. She’s looking anywhere but me, her long sleeved arms crossing over her green dress.

“Thanks,” she murmurs.

“No problem,” I say as I turn to look for my wife.

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