Page 110 of Covenant

“That’s because of Jules,” I say before I can stop myself.

Harley glows beet-red while laughter erupts around the table. I cringe, dropping my voice to a whisper. “Sorry, shit. That was rude of me.”

“Don’t bother apologizing,” Matthias squeezes the back of my neck. “Harley’s obsession with our chef is the world’s most poorly kept secret. Even the mailman knows about it.”

“It’s true,” Dalton drawls, flicking a card in and out of his sleeve while staring intently at me. “We all know each other’s obsessions. Isn’t that right, Matty?”

Matthias stiffens beside me, his arms bunching. “Don’t start, Dalton.”

I lay a hand on Matt’s wrist, finding the skin beneath his shirt sleeve and stroking it comfortingly. I don’t know what’s going on, but I feel oddly protective of him. These past few weeks have taken me right back to our childhood, to a time when Matthias was mine to care for, to look after.

And I was his.

I shift in my seat and clear my throat. “Is Candace joining us?”

Wylder shakes his head, but it’s Cade who answers. “No. Game night is for family only.”

I’m about to protest that I’m not family, but Cade speaks again before I can. “Family includes anyone who holds our surname. Even if it’s just temporarily.”

I stare at him. Does he know that our marriage is fake? Do they all know? That’s not the impression Matthias gave me.

If they know, why did he insist I pretend in front of them at the gala? Was that just a game to him? Is this a fucking game?

I dare you.

Thoughts and questions swirl in my head as I sit there, trying to process it all, but it’s too loud, too chaotic.

Matthias clears his throat, pulling my thoughts back to the present. “Dalton’s right. You’re family now. That doesn’t change even if the name does.”

The way he says that…I duck my head, trying to contain the rush of emotions that this sentiment sends through me.Family. Other than Jackson, I haven’t really had anyone I can call that. My parents sure as shit don’t deserve that title. They are rotten through and through.

But now. Now I have a houseful.

“Right,” Samson drags his chair closer to the table. “Are we playing Monopoly or not? It’s almost my bedtime.”

“You are such a loser,” Harley says as Cade smirks.

“He’s an old man. He needs his fifteen hours of sleep a night.”

Samson glowers at them all, reserving less of a frown for me. “Shut the fuck up and let’s just play, yeah?”

Matthias’s hand twines around mine under the table, his thumb brushing against mine.

“You ready for this?” he asks, and I nod.

I think I am.

* * *

Monopoly goes well into the early hours of the morning, Samson grumbling often about how tired he is. His mood doesn’t improve throughout the night. And honestly, the longer I play this game, the less sure I am of what rules the Buckinghams use. They aren’t the ones I’ve ever come across. The pool of money in the middle grows so large that a fight erupts between brothers. Many threats are exchanged over it. A dagger makes an appearance more than once—mostly when fees are due on properties, and once when someone stole Samson’s iron—which makes me wonder what the fuck I’ve stumbled upon.

Currently, the dagger that Cade is holding is pressed up against Harley’s neck as they argue over who owns Baltic Avenue. I don’t even think that’s a good property, which I try and tell them, but I go ignored. So my focus sits on the daggers. They’re all identical to the one Matthias sleeps with. Perhaps they’re family heirlooms, ones the brothers like to brandish.

Frequently.

When real money comes out to replace the colorful papers, I respectfully withdraw from the game. I may have more cash than ever before in my life, but I’m not gonna pretend I’m in the same league as the Buckinghams.

In the end, it’s Dalton who walks away with the cash. Not a single player is surprised, but Cade does warn him to sleep with one eye open tonight.

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