Page 40 of Wicked Brutal

“We don’t know,” Arthur says.

Katya’s hand closes around the arm of her chair. “We know enough.” Everyone looks at her; her English gets more accented when she’s angry, and it’s getting more accented by the word. “We know there is a man who thinks a young woman’s virginity belongs in a contract. A father who makes such a contract is worse.”

“Katya’s right,” Theodore says quietly, and looks at Ally. “Men who treat marriage as a transaction rarely become less dangerous when the terms change.” Becca looks at him, and he doesn’t look away. “And men who let their daughters become part of those transactions don’t deserve the benefit of anyone’s patience.”

Arthur leans forward. “Which is why no one does anything tonight.” Half the room looks personally offended, Saoirse most of all. Arthur sighs. “I mean against Roman or Tremblay. Directly.”

“Oh, you should specify,” Iz says. “Some of these women have priors.”

Penny turns on him. “Excuse you?”

Iz spreads his hands and looks around the room. “Am I wrong, though?”

Arthur looks back at Ally. “The boys already understand the larger problem. The pregnancy accelerates it, that’s all — it’s a clock now, where before we had time.”

Callum nods. “Because she can’t hide it indefinitely.”

“Correct.”

“And because discovery jeopardizes whatever Roman is getting out of Tremblay,” Thomas adds.

Mom folds her arms. “Meaning Roman has motive to lock Ally down harder the second he finds out.”

“And Tremblay has motive to retaliate,” Dad says.

Saoirse’s hand never leaves Ally’s. “Then she doesn’t go home.”

Ally’s whole body goes tight. “Tobias.” One word. The wall.

Arthur nods. “Exactly the problem.”

Saoirse looks at him. “She’s eighteen. She can leave.”

“She can. Tobias can’t.”

Ally looks at the floor. “I won’t leave him."

“We know,” Arthur says.

“I mean it. I’m not going anywhere without him.”

“So do I. Then Tobias is part of the plan.” Her eyes fill. “But I need you to understand the problem before we talk about solutions.”

“I know the problem.”

“You know your problem. I need to walk you through the legal one.” Ally sits back, Becca still holding one hand and Cat the other, Saoirse’s palm resting on her shoulder — it’s almost ridiculous, the wall of them, except that Ally looks less alone than I have ever seen her, so I’ll take ridiculous.

Arthur starts. “You’re eighteen. Roman can’t legally force you to stay in his home.” Ally nods. “Tobias is six. Roman and Jane are his legal parents.” Another nod. “If you take Tobias without their consent, or without a court order, Roman can report that his adult daughter walked off with his minor child.”

Ally goes pale, and Mom leans forward. “Arthur.”

“I’m not trying to frighten her, Cassandra. I need her to understand why we can’t just put Tobias in Ryan’s car tonight and drive.” He looks back at Ally. “It would give Roman a clean, fast, legal route to take Tobias right back — and to restrict your access to him afterward, permanently. That’s the real danger. Not just that you’d get in trouble. That you’d lose him.”

“Would I get arrested?” Ally asks.

“Potentially.”

I’m forward in my seat. “Absolutely fucking not.”