Page 151 of Between Secrets and Obsession

“No delivery,” Eric barks. “And if you can’t eat with us at normal times, you don’t eat until the next meal.”

Ty sucks in a sharp breath, but I keep my gaze locked on Eric.

Did he just say what I think he said?

“What is this?” I stand and cross my arms. “ABeauty and the Beastplot? Am I forbidden from the west wing too?”

“It’s called structure and following rules,” he states firmly.

God, I want to take a fork to his neck.

“And if you can’t?—”

“You’ll put me in the dungeon?” I quip. “Don’t you know the candlestick and clock will come alive and save me?”

Eric steps closer, but I hold my ground. I don’t give two shits who he is or what he’s capable of doing. I’m sick and tired of his attitude toward me when I don’t even want to fucking be here. He treats me like it’s my fault he has to babysit me.

“Don’t tempt me, Madelyn.”

“Eric, that’s enough.” Ty’s booming voice comes closer. Grabbing my arm, he pulls me back and steps between Eric and me. “Get the fuck away from her.”

“Watch it. You’re already in hot water,” Eric warns.

“Fuck off.” Ty’s taller than him, but Eric looks like he wouldn’t think twice about killing him. He’s probably fucking Victoria on the side and will literally do anything she asks.

The two of them have a silent stare down as my heart thrashes in my chest, beating faster with every passing second. I don’t want Ty to get hurt because of me and my smart-ass mouth, but I also really loathe Eric.

So I do the only thing I know in awkward situations and make jokes.

“If you two murder each other, I’ll be able to escape so you might want to pull back your testosterone and relax. In fact…” I clap eagerly. “We should all do some yoga and cleanse our minds and bodies.” I smile wide when they both glare at me. “What? It’s good for the soul.”

Eric huffs before stepping back and walking out of the kitchen. Ty scowls as if he didn’t appreciate my vocal interruption, but hey it got Eric out of here so I’m not even sorry.

“What?” I ask innocently. Shrugging, I take another bite of my BLT and smile.

“Go back to your room when you’re done eating. Stay out of his way.” Ty’s voice is anything but friendly, which is a contrast to how he was being before Eric interrupted us. He steps around me, and before he walks into the hallway, he stops and adds, “And mine.”

This day has been fucking weird. After I eat, I do as Ty asks and go to my room. A throbbing headache keeps me planted in bed for most of the evening, and when Eric announces I need to come and eat dinner, I tell him to eat shit. However, he doesn’t like that answer and barges into my room.

“What are you doing?” I shout when he grabs my arm and yanks me up. “Don’t touch me!”

“You eat when it’s time,” he responds coldly. What the hell is it with this man andtime? Like we have anything else to do all damn day and need to be on a strict schedule.

“I can walk by myself. Get your hands off me,” I hiss through my teeth.

He responds by squeezing my arm tighter and jerking me down the hallway until we reach the kitchen. I notice only two plates are set at the table.

“Where’s Ty?” I ask, walking to one of the chairs.

“Don’t worry about him. He’s been taken care of.”

My stomach drops and nausea surfaces as the contents of my lunch threaten to come up.

What the fuck doestaken care ofmean? I’m afraid to ask, but I do anyway.

“What’s that mean? Is he gone?”

Eric sits in the chair across from me, not looking in my direction.