Page 54 of Glutton for Punishment

“Is… umm… is it true?” I scratch the back of my neck.

“…Is what true?”

I don’t look at her. “What he said at the council. Is he your bond too?”

She remains silent, but I continue focusing on the mess of wooden frame and mattress stuffing.

“Yes,” she says softly. “But we haven’t completed the bond.”

I nod once, knowing that already. I would’ve felt it otherwise.

Still, I exhale, irritation slipping through before I can stop it.

“Why?” she asks. “Why does it bother you so much? Outside of the faction differences… why do you hate him so much? Aren’t you usually allied with Pride?”

I straighten, rolling my shoulders. I’m not getting into this. There’s enough going on.

“We have… history,” I say. “And it makes you more of a target. Two Councilor’s sons tied to you? With your power?” I shake my head. “That’s a problem.”

She studies me and then must decide to let it go.

“Guess I should get ready,” she says, standing.

“Yeah.” I glance at the remains of my bed and then back at her.

“Looks like I’m bunking with you tonight.”

She snorts and rolls her eyes, but her face goes bright red.

“This place is massive,” she shoots back. “If you can’t find another bed, you need your eyes checked.”

I drag a hand over my mouth, hiding the hint of a smile.

She turns to leave and stops short in the doorway.

“And Maddox…”

“Hm?”

“If you want me to meet your dad,” she says, raising a brow, “your choices are bonded in pants… or bonded in panties.”

She drops the skirt on the floor and walks out.

I stare at the door and feel my smile breaking loose. What the hell is this girl doing to me?

Chapter 17

Maddox

The top floor hums with low electronic bass before we even open the door. It thrums through the walls like a second heartbeat for the building. Gluttony is never silent.

Arwen slows beside me, careful and contained.

She glances up at me, awareness coursing through her. I feel the nerves she’s trying to hide.

She’s got pants on now. Dark fabric, practical. Better than the skirt she was ready to kill me over earlier. I guess that’s something.

We’re supposed to be keeping distance and staying controlled through this, but I can’t follow my own rules