Property of a Gordon

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Two

"When did you become privy to such"-there was a pause here along with the dramatic pursing of lips-"diluted women, Kendall?"

By this time, I had one hand clenched under the tiny table that had everyone much too close together, and my teeth were grinding against one another so tightly that I expected them to crack any second now.

"Mother, she is a wonderful woman. She is doing more good for Kendall than harm," Cayne said quickly while sighing, obviously used to his mother's antics. However, I wasn't, and I was sure jumping across the table and strangling her would make for a bad first impression.

Mrs. Gordon only huffed in response, never making eye contact with me. I could only wish she was as quiet as her husband who sat there, discretely spectating.

Kendall was sitting across from me, just as quiet as his father. He had yet to touch his food but moved it around on the plate. On occasion, he would look up and meet my eyes, providing me with a brief smile that would flee quickly before he looked down at his food, lost in thought.

Unfortunately, I sat next to Calyx who would give me a suggestive look every time I glanced in his general direction. I'd attempted to hit him under the table only for him to smirk and tell me that I didn't have to be so subtle.

Cayne sat next to Kendall and across from Calyx. He was currently the only reason we were all still sitting here. Cayne had successfully curved several arguments and prevented us all from snapping at one another's throats. We were all thankful for him even if we didn't realize it at that moment.

Mrs. Gordon sat at one end, her husband at the other. After catching Kendall and me, she had said nothing that wasn't indirectly criticizing at least one of us. However, she never looked at me, only Kendall when she had something to say.

If she wasn't looking at Kendall with condescending eyes, she was looking at her husband. It was as if she expected him to join in the criticizing of their youngest son at any moment. But he never acknowledged her looks, only continued his spectating.

"Hey, I heard you found a Protector. Why isn't he here?" Calyx asked, a mush of food swirling around in his mouth. Instead of grimacing, I looked up at Kendall who didn't seem put out of place.

"Because it is a family dinner, not a matter that involves a Protector," Kendall said with ease as if his Protector wasn't sitting across from him.

"But you brought this little jewel," Calyx said, flashing me a devious grin. I growled lowly, the animalistic sound causing him to hesitate. Just as he opened his mouth to question me, his mother decided it was her turn to speak.

"Yes, why did you bring the tramp?"

"Enough!"

It was then that I learned where Kendall and Cayne had gotten their commanding, booming voices. Their father had finally met his wife's eyes, a deadly threat lingering in their depths.

"Our son has finally come home, and this woman had done nothing to deserve our scorn. You will not ruin this Marlene; is that understood?" He said calmly, reminding me of Kendall with each word. It was clear Kendall resembled one parent more than the other.

"Daniel-" Mrs. Gordon tried, but her words stopped flowing as her husband's hand met the table, creating a chilling sound.

"Enough, woman! My question only needs to be met with a yes or a no," he yelled, showing just how short of a temper he actually had. It made me wonder just how often he found himself this angry.

"Yes, I understand," she said, sounding both defeated and weak. Her head was bowed down, her eyes unable to meet her husband's after her sulking attitude.