Page 61 of Impending Consent

"Good God, Sailor," my father muttered.

"But, we're married now. It's legal and binding and we're going to make the best of it."

Skylar’s eyes widened then she slowly arched her brow. “Is this a real marriage or just a temporary arrangement? Make it work for how long, Sail?"

She knew the truth. I was buying time until I could bail…

I hesitated but Rival spoke up.

"I can't speak for Sailor, but as far as I'm concerned, this is real. I take my vows seriously, even if the circumstances were unconventional."

"How noble," my father said dryly. "And what exactly are your intentions toward my daughter? Beyond the obvious."

Rival's jaw tightened. "I respect your concern, Mr. Addison, but my intentions are between Sailor and me. I don’t give a damn what you think or how you feel. She’s my wife. That’s not changing."

I physically felt everyone in the room tense but my mother intervened.

"I think that what's done is done. Sailor has made her choice, however hasty it may have been. Now we need to decide how to move forward as a family."

Family? Yeah, right. Them against us…

"What's there to decide? She's an adult who's made her bed, quite literally it seems, if she was drunk when she married him."

"Torrance!" My mother glared with another warning.

"It's fine, Mom. Daddy's just being his usual charming self."

"Watch your tone," my father warned.

"Or what? I'm a grown woman with my own life. I made a decision. A bad one possibly but it's mine to make and I don't appreciate you taking your disapproval out on Rival."

Everyone looked at me, surprised as hell that I was defending my husband but something about my father's dismissive attitude toward Rival struck a nerve.

"Dinner is served," a voice announced from the doorway. The housekeeper stood there smiling, oblivious to the shit storm she interrupted.

"Perfect timing," my mother said and stood. "Shall we? Torrance, lead the way."

My father gave me one last disapproving look before nodding and following my mother to the dining room. TJ and Indi stood next, then Skylar and Gray, leaving me and Rival alone.

"You didn't have to defend me, Sail. This is your family. We’re figuring shit out. I don’t expect you to blow up your world.”

"Yes, I did. He was out of line, and like it or not, my world now includes you. They have to accept that."

"I told you I can handle your father."

Rival grinned.

“Oh, you definitely handled my father. I’m pretty sure he’s currently plotting your demise. Nobody gives Torrance Addison a fuck you and lives to tell about it.”

He shrugged and leaned in, pressing a kiss to my temple. “That wasn’t a fuck you.”

“Technically it was in his eyes. Anyone who challenges one word my father says is on his shit list. Just stay close. There's more where that came from."

"That I can handle, I like being close to my wife." He winked and we made our way to the dining room. My father took his place at the head, my mother to his right. Skylar and Gray sat on one side, TJ and Indi on the other, leaving Rival and me to sit directly across from my father.

Food was served, wine poured, and conversation remained basic. We discussed work projects, Skylar's pregnancy, TJ'srecent legal victory, but I could still feel the unspoken questions and judgments. My father would occasionally stare at me and Rival with that “ what the fuck have you done” look, so I did my best to keep my focus on anything but him.

I found myself watching TJ with Indi, admiring the way he anticipated her needs, passing the salt before she asked or refilling her water glass. They moved in sync, expressing how comfortable they were with each other. Sky and Gray were the same. He whispered in my sister’s ear, making her laugh, and his hand occasionally rested protectively on the stomach. The love between them was very visible.

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