Page 46 of Glutton for Punishment

I pick at the edge of my plate, buying myself a second. “Straight to it, huh?”

It’s not like I don’t want to tell him. It’s just that so much has happened that I feel overwhelmed and I don’t know if I’m in the mental state to keep it together.

His expression softens, feeling my obvious discomfort. “You disappeared. No trace of you in the Wastes. Then you show up in a helicopter with him. Looking like that.”

I exhale, trying to sort through what to say.

“I wasn’t exiled,” I say, sighing. “Greed intercepted the transport.”

I can see the wheels turning in Maddox’s dark eyes. “Blaise. You’re saying Councilor Blaise had you this whole time? He did that to you?”

I nod once.

Maddox snaps, pushing back from the table, dragging a hand down his face before letting out a harsh roar and slamming his fist on the table.

“That greedy, power-hungry…” he cuts himself off, jaw clenching hard enough I can see the muscle tick. “He’s dead.”

He stands, pacing like he needs to burn off the energy before it explodes out of him.

“I’ve had people combing the Wastes for over a month,” he says, voice rising despite himself. “Every contact, every crew, every favor I could call in. Looking for you. And he had you this entire time.”

I blink.

He did what?

I shift in my seat, very aware of the weight of that. Of him. Of this bond that keeps pulling me toward him, whether or not I want it to.

Do I want it to?

I swallow, trying to keep my voice steady. “Well… you can call them off. I’m clearly not in the Wastes.”

Maddox stops pacing and looks at me like he’s trying to decide if he’s relieved or furious or both.

“Clearly,” he mutters. “But Wastes or not, you weren’t safe,” he grits out, motioning at my body.

Atticus finally speaks, his tone calm but edged. “It would seem Councilor Blaise took it upon himself to act outside of Council authority.”

“That’s one way to put it,” Maddox shoots back, dropping back into his chair but not relaxing. “Another would be that he kidnapped her and beat her… for what?”

I stare at the table, trying to hide the shame. I haven’t even tried to reach for my power since the lab.

Defective.

That’s what rings in my head. Admitting it out loud will confirm Maddox’s permanent tie to a defective bond.

Maddox must feel my shame because he looks at me questioningly, the threat of violence in his eyes. I know it’s not towards me, but he looks like he’s ready to burn the world down.

Atticus’s hand tightens where it rests near mine, like he wants to reach out but stops himself.

“Whatever his reasoning,” Atticus says, “this will have consequences.”

I give him a soft look, appreciating his discretion.

Maddox huffs a short, humorless laugh. “Obviously. And what was your part in this, Willshire? Watch your bond be tortured?”

Dangerous heat fills the room as Atticus jumps to his feet. Hands fisted.

Before either of them can escalate further, the door opens and Lucas steps in, posture sharp, eyes flicking to me before settling on Maddox.