Chapter 4 #2
“You’re so far up your own ass that you wouldn’t know real style if it bit you.”
Heath’s mouth lifts in one corner. “Sorry if I have to be the adult.”
“We have Mom.”
He shakes his head, then he snatches the chair Quinn had kicked out and sits. “We have me. Mom’s got a role to play. Just like the rest of us.”
My senses bristle. “Mom could run the family, Heath. She did for years while Dad went out and earned a living.”
There’s something in his expression I don’t like, but I skirt it. I’m not in the mood to be manipulated. Violet’s the good one. I’m not.
“Is there a law stating women can’t run things, or are you just misogynistic?” I ask.
“Mom could, I agree. But c’mon, Iris, you know how society is. Even with all your sisters, scandal could bring it all down.”
“There’s—”
“We’re not taking handouts from Stephan.” He glares, catching my thought direction. “So, while our standing’s okay for now, you need to make a good match and Mom has to play the part of rich widow and genteel society woman. And if you don’t like that, I don’t fucking care.”
“You could mate.”
Now his jaw sets, and my handsome brother’s bullish stubbornness matches mine. Unlike him, I admit it.
“And what if this Omega needs me to provide for her family or there are other obligations?” he asks. “My attention won’t be on all of you anymore.”
“Make a better match then,” I say, folding my arms.
“Remember a few years ago, you were probably fifteen? There was a very rich, very pretty, very eligible Omega who caught the eye of an Alpha of a great family?”
I know exactly who she’s talking about. “Ka?—”
“I’m not mentioning names.” He runs a hand over his smooth-shaven face. “But turned out after they were mated, her family wasn’t as rich after all. Actually, she was illegitimate. Born from the father’s mistress? That was scandal. Do you know where they are now?”
Banished. Exiled from Sabine with all their money gone and probably living in squalor. That’s what the rumors say, anyway.
“Doesn’t that show you what’s wrong with this whole backwards system?”
“That’s not my job to care about. It’s my job to make sure you’re all taken care of.
I want you to behave, smile, and not bring down this family with your recklessness.
If you get asked out, or get asked for a dance, say yes.
” Then he looks at my short dress in gray-on-black plaid. “And dress the part, god dammit.”
“How about this? I’ll behave, and I’ll say yes to a date or a dance if I like the guy. Deal?”
Heath doesn’t look pleased, and I know the thoughts swirling through that hard head of his—they’re clear on his face. He wishes I was compliant, like Violet.
But surprise, surprise, I’m not.
Still, to my surprise, he stands and holds out his hand. “Deal.”
“You’re in trouble!” Rue races into my room, snatching my phone from my hand right as I was about to videocall Violet.
“No, I’m not. And give me that. I wanna speak to Vi.” I lunge for the phone as the sound of our classic piano drifts in from downstairs.
Rue starts to tear out of my room. “Heath demanded you—Hey!”
“Give Iris the phone, Rue,” a flushed Mari says, looking prettier than ever. She’s carrying some violets in her hand. “Or we won’t let you join in the call.” Then she looks at me. “Look what Reece gave us to show Vi. He picked them from Mom’s garden.”
“With her permission, I hope,” I say. Mom’s one true passion is the garden Dad planted for her after they were mated. It became her refuge once he died.
“Of course. She’s the one who asked him to do it. She wants something pretty for the dining room table.” Mari puts her nose to the flowers and inhales. “Honestly, I just think she misses Violet.”
Don’t we all.
“Pretty!” Rue forgets her phone stealing as she reaches for the flowers. “Is Reece your boyfriend?”
“He’s one of the Delta servants that Stephan’s aunt sent us,” I mutter, taking back my phone. “Don’t you start any rumors.”
“Iris!” Heath thunders. “Don’t make me go up there.”
“Lord,” I say, tucking my phone away. “I’ll be back.”
I walk down the stairs, deliberately taking my time. Okay, so I rebuffed two dates and a request for a dance come the next ball, so what? At least I didn’t embarrass anyone. And I could have. Easily.
I don’t knock on the office door, just push in. Heath’s leaning against his desk.
“You took your time. You’ll have to work on your tardiness, Iris.”
He doesn’t sound annoyed or angry.
I start to frown. “Why? I’ve nowhere to be, and you and Mom are the ones who ferry me to the stupid balls.”
That earns a flicker of ire.
“For your meeting, Iris.”
“Meeting?” Now I’m really confused.
He nods. “The meeting.”
“I have a meeting?” As I speak, dread starts to spread cold fingers over me.
“Yes, with the Monarch.” Heath smiles. “Congratulations, Iris. You’re on your way to becoming Luxe.”
“I don’t want to be Luxe,” I say in horror.
“She’s not that stupid to pick you,” he says. Rudely. “But this is good. Very good. You’re going to be one of the important Omegas this Season. You’ll be watched, revered, and have your pick of suitors.”
“But…”
“You don’t have a say in this,” he says. “Maybe call Violet and tell her the good news.”
Crap. I stalk out.
How the fuck did this happen?