“Gran was tough as nails—barking at farmhands, getting in the faces of cheats trying to overcharge us on repairs and equipment. But when it was just the three of us, she was the calmest, most patient person you ever met. Only raised her voice to tell Ivy to turn the music down.
“I don’t know what made you the man you are today, Roan. All I know is I want to ride that man and be the bread to his threesome sandwich.”
“Not tonight, gorgeous.” He spoke as an elderly couple joined our table. “Tonight we’re spit-roasting you till we pass out.”
I crossed and uncrossed my legs, fighting to ignore the pressure building at the mere thought of what Legend and Roan were going to do to me.
“Everyone, may I have your attention?”
A deep, silvery voice echoed out of the speakers.
Steven Ellis found his way to the stage. His smile swept over us, reminding me of the disarming grin on Jeremy’s lips when he apologized for hurting me. Again.
“I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight,” he began. “I’ll have you know this dinner wasn’t my idea.”
Panic climbed my veins.
“It was my sons who suggested to me and my fellow board members that we come out, meet the good people of Bedlam, and discuss your concerns and hopes as Foundry becomes a partner with your town. All the shop talk comes later, I promise.” He paused for polite laughter. “Until then, please eat and enjoy.”
The servers—hired by Palmer—brought out the first course. I murmured thank you as he set down a bowl of chilled avocado and prawn soup. I tried a sip, and moaned.
“Dammit, even her menu is delicious. Something about this night has to go wrong.”
Roan brushed his lips on my cheek. “Don’t worry about tonight, Steven Ellis, or the Crows. More ruthless than them have regretted underestimating Bedlam.”
We worked our way through the rest of the meal. Roast chicken, potatoes, and carrots. For dessert, my new best friend, Server Brooks, brought out chocolate clementine tarts. I asked him to marry me and he laughed till Roan told him to fuck off.
“So, the possessive streak is one you all share,” I said.
“Thought you knew that by now, babe.”
Steven Ellis cleared his throat into the speaker, bringing an end to the scattered conversations.
“Once again, good evening,” he said. “Now seems like a good time to give my spiel. While you’re all still smiling from the delicious food.
“My intention is for tonight to be a discussion— No, a conversation. We’re here to get to know you, and for you to meet our Foundry family. To start off, let me share our vision of Bedlam with you.”
Ellis launched into a fairy tale of shopping centers, affordable housing, more daycares, entertainment, and a new student bar that’ll funnel its proceeds toward improving security around campus.
I stifled a snort. That’s rich seeing as your spawn is one of the biggest threats to security.
“But that’s enough of me,” he said with a laugh. “I’m going to walk around, the music will play, and feel free to talk to me, or my partners with your ideas of how we can grow together. Thank you.”
Applause followed him to his seat—louder than I’d like.
The guests got up to continue their mingling. Most of them circled Steven Ellis, waiting for their chance to speak to him. Arsenio caught my eye and gestured for me to join them.
“Excuse me.” I kissed Roan, then drifted over to Arsenio, Jacques, their mothers, Steven, and his sons. They formed a little semicircle that allowed some to come in and out, but neither of them went far.
“Good evening.” Steven kissed the back of my hand. “It’s great to have you here, Miss...?”
“De Souza,” I finished.
“Miss De Souza, lovely to meet you. I’m especially interested in your thoughts about the future of Bedlam, because you are the future of Bedlam.”
Does this guy always talk like he’s running a political campaign?
“Where would you like to see your town in ten years?”
Marjorie’s and Eileen’s eyes were on me. Did they know about my relationship with their sons? And was I about to torpedo their first impression of me?
“To be honest, I lived most of my life on the outskirts of Bedlam,” I said. “I grew up on a farm with my grandmother and older sister. Living the way I had—working together, seeing my efforts take root, learning to care for other creatures better than myself. It’s shaped what I want for the future, and that I want it to be more like the past.”
Ellis’s grin twitched. “How so?”
“Gran would tell me of the parades they’d throw when she was a girl. People from every corner of the town came out to celebrate. On Thanksgiving, her family and the neighboring families set up a table that stretched across the field, they’d fill it up with food, and everyone was welcome to join.