Page 124 of Covenant

“The boy appears to not lack intelligence. Graduated top of his class and has a full ride to Yale.” Father cocks his head sardonically. “Suddenly your insistence to attend there over Duke makes more sense.”

That drags a response from me. “I’m allowed to have friends, am I not?”

There’s a gleam in Father’s eye that has me shifting on my feet. “Friends, yes. Boyfriends, absolutely not.”

My hands ball into fists. There it is. I knew it, but that’s a fight for another time. I’ve never come out to my father, but I suspect he knows all the same. I’m not even the only one of my brothers who’s not straight. Cade came out a couple of years ago.

I’m just the only one currently living under his roof—the only one he can attempt to influence into his own societal mold of the perfect Buckingham man.

“Wyatt is myfriend,” I say. “Nothing more.”

Father sits back in his seat and smirks. “But you’d like it to be more, yes? You care for this boy as more than a friend.”

It’s not a question, but the words are on the tip of my tongue to deny it anyway. They won’t come though.

I can’t say it. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t feel the same way, I can’t pretend he’s not important to me.

“I see,” Father says eventually. “What I found on your phone is clear evidence that what I’m saying is true. At least you recognize when you’ve lost an argument before it starts. We’ll make a fine lawyer of you yet.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. I don’t even want to be a lawyer. I’m only following my father’s chosen career path for me because it’s what Wyatt wants to do. If it means being at his side as much as possible, I’ll do whatever it takes.

“Your association with this boy is at an end.” My head snaps up in horror as my father continues. “You will go to Duke as previously agreed, and you’ll never contact him again.”

“Why do you care? What the fuck does it matter to you?”

Father gets to his feet, leaning on his knuckles as he glares at me. “It matters because you are a Buckingham. I won’t have you following the same depraved path as Cade.”

My vision turns red. “So you’re saying that falling in love with someone is depraved? Just because they are a man?”

“He’s notjusta man,” Father counters hotly. “He’s trailer trash. Uncouth. His parents are both addicts. If you think for a second that I’ll let them tarnish the Buckingham name then you truly have taken leave of your senses.”

I give a disbelieving laugh. “You seem to be forgetting that I’m an adult now. You can’t tell me what to do.”

The smile he delivers is pure evil. “Matthias,youseem to be forgetting who you’re dealing with. You don’t have a choice in this matter. I’ve already set a plan into motion to ensure this is dealt with.”

All the blood drains from my face. “What have you done?”

“You’ll find out soon enough,” he says, sitting back down. I go to snatch my phone, but he’s too quick. It’s gone and inside a drawer in a flash. “I’ll be keeping hold of this.”

I’m over the desk and hauling my father up by his collar. Spittle flies from my mouth as I roar at him. “What have youdone?”

Cool steel presses against my neck, and I freeze.

“Careful, boy.” There’s no sentiment in my father’s eyes, just cold calculation. “Walk any further down this path and I won’t just ruin Wyatt’s life, I’ll end it.”

I release him instantly, recoiling in horror as I stare at him. Who is this man? I don’t recognize him, but I don’t doubt what he says.

He will have Wyatt killed.

Or, judging by the casual way he returns the dagger to a hidden sheath at his waist, just do it himself. “You have a lot to learn, Matthias. Let this be lesson number one—the Buckinghams rule St. Dismas, but I rule the Buckinghams.”

A yawning pit opens under me, but I don’t let it drag me in. I can’t. Not until I know Wyatt is okay.

What am I even doing here, arguing with my father? He said whatever is done has already started…

With that, I spin on my heels.

And I’m running.

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