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darling, but I’ve been busy lately. So many new…” He licked his lips and studied our captive. “Business opportunities.”
    He threatened her but taunted me. I tightened my hold across her lips. She didn’t try to speak, but she caused enough trouble without words. Her nails dug into my arm. She might have fretted for her mother, but I met Max’s gaze with the same momentary confusion.
    I didn’t recognize the disturbing softness in my father’s voice. His tone rounded, leisurely and mellowed, probably to benefit Bethany’s fragile state, shaded with anti-depressants and the prescribed medications she abused to survive the day. He didn’t condescend. It felt…authentic. My father tried not to upset Bethany, though he captured and molested her daughter, ordering her repeated rape to deliberately impregnate the girl.
    Sarah bristled as he placed the call on speakerphone.
    “We’re holding our annual barbecue for a few of my business associates today, Bethany.”
    Sarah strained to edge closer to the phone, desperate to hear her mother’s voice.
    That, I understood.
    “A barbecue?” Bethany’s exhaustion infected her enthusiasm. “That’s nice.”
    “It will be a special occasion,” he said. “Sarah’s graciously agreed to help hostess.”
    I held Sarah tighter. Her mother hesitated.
    “…Who?”
    Sarah no longer fought against my hold. Without my support, she’d have crumbled to the floor.
    This wasn’t part of my father’s plan. He frowned, leaning closer to the phone console. “ Sarah , darling. Sarah’s still here.”
    Reed whistled, earning a frustrated grunt from Max.
    The connection crackled, but Bethany lightly chuckled, lucid once more. “Oh, Sarah’s so bright at a party. Sociable. She’ll make you proud, Darius.”
    “Always has.”
    “Put her on the phone?”
    My father faked his apology. “She’s tied up at the moment, darling. But I’ll call you after the party and schedule our weekend. You should get some rest.”
    “I do miss her.”
    “And I know she misses you,” he said. “She’d do just anything to see you. Soon enough, if everything goes to plan.”
    The conversation ended with an oddly sincere exchange of affection. Sarah trembled with rage.
    Son of a bitch.
    My father didn’t strike her, but a beating might have been kinder. What better way to control Sarah in public? Bruises revealed too much, but destroying her pride and twisting her mind?
    He didn’t have to make her bleed to tear her heart out.
    My father stilled. “You do wish to see your mother again, right, my dear?”
    Sarah didn’t answer.
    “The men attending this luncheon are family friends and business partners. You will be cordial. You will be entertaining. You will behave.” His gaze settled on me. “Wouldn’t want to make a fool of yourself, would you?”
    He neither expected a reaction nor did I offer him the satisfaction. He waved a hand.
    “Don’t leave her unattended today. If she speaks out of turn, drag her into the house and beat her, but not where anyone will see the strikes.”
    Like the villains we were, my brothers and I agreed.
    “Sarah, if you want your mother to survive this weekend, you’ll be a good girl. You’re my sweet daughter, visiting your big brothers after that terrible asthma attack. You do as they say, and you make me proud.” He grinned. Her silence amused him. “Give Daddy a nod.”
    Sarah refused as though the motion would snap her neck. I forced the movement.
    “Good. Now, go walk through the property. Make sure the grounds are fit for our guests.”
    I hauled Sarah upstairs, and, for the first time, locked her within her bedroom. She swore at me from beyond the door, but I’d preferred her angry with me. I wasn’t chancing any impetuous revenge on my father for either the attempted attack or his threats against her mother.
    My brothers and I did as he instructed, heading outside to oversee the barbecue’s setup.
    “I used to like having this