My Forbidden Step-Uncle

THE AFFAIR VI: The Polite Hostage

|CIRCE|

Air flooded back into my lungs in a desperate gasp.

I had to answer. I had to be normal.

“Sorry, Mom,” I said, amazed at how steady my voice sounded. “My connection was awful today. You completely froze for a second.”

“Oh! Well, I’m glad you’re back.” she said, sounding so relieved, and it stung me with guilt at how easily she believed me. “So, Valeriano’s at eight? Delson is looking forward to it.”

My mind raced, a frantic scramble for any excuse to avoid this dinner. To avoid him. Finally, I was able to manufacture a sharp, convincing gasp.

“Oh no, tonight? I completely forgot. I have a… a mandatory study session and a massive paper due for my political science class. Oh, Mom, I really can’t.”

The words tumbled out of my mouth rapidly.

“It’s a huge part of my grade, and my professor is strict about deadlines. If I don’t get this right, it could jeopardize my internship clearance.”

“I know you work hard, sweetie, but I know Professor Albright, and he’s an old friend of Delson’s. I’m sure he’d understand if you needed an extra day for a special family occasion,” she said gently.

The statement alone was meant to be helpful, but it landed on me like a ton of bricks. It was a casual reminder of their influence, of a power that smoothed the world for them, but for me, it just felt like another bar on my cage.

The fight immediately went out of me. There was no excuse. She and Delson could dismantle it with a phone call or a friendly favor. I was cornered, defeated before I could even stand a chance.

“Fine,” I said, the word tasting like ash in my mouth. “Eight, right?”

“Wonderful!” she chirped, completely missing my tone. “Yes, exactly eight! Wear something lovely!”

The call ended, and I stood frozen by my car.

The drive home was a blur of traffic and dread. The hours leading up to the dinner stretched before me like a death sentence. I collapse onto my bed, my head in my hands, when my phone buzzes with a text from Elvena.

{How’s the future tycoon’s daughter doing?}

On impulse, I hit call. I needed to hear a friendly voice, even if I couldn’t tell her the truth. She answered on the second ring.

“Hey, I was just about to call you,” she said cheerfully.

“I’m freaking out, El,” I whispered in a tight voice.

“Why?” Her tone shifted instantly. “What’s wrong? Did something happen? Is it about the dinner tonight?”

My brows instantly furrowed in confusion.

“How did you know about the dinner?”

“Your mom posted on i********: with a selfie of her and Delson. ‘Intimate family dinner with my favorites at Valeriano’s!’ with a bunch of heart emojis. So, what’s the issue?”

Of course she did.

My stomach tightened into a cold, hard knot. She’s broadcasting our perfect family moment into the world. Having no idea that she just posted a public announcement of my own private execution. Every like on that photo feels like another person shoving me toward that restaurant. Toward him.

“I just… I don’t know. It’s a lot,” I said, carefully telling her only half of it. “Meeting Delson’s brother at the party was… intense. And now, this dinner. It feels so forced.”

“The handsome uncle?” Elvena asked. “Is he scary or something in person? He looked like an international model in your mom’s photo.”

Scary didn’t even begin to cover it. He was a nightmare given in flesh and blood.

“He’s just…very intimidating. The kind of person who makes you feel like he knows all your secrets.”

“Okay, so he’s a hot, intimidating rich guy,” Elvena reasoned out with practicality. “Just be yourself. Maybe you’ll charm him eventually, and you’ll be his favorite niece. You’ll be fine. Is that really all this is?”

I wanted to laugh at the absurdity, as the words landed with the grace of a shiv to the ribs. A silent hysterical scream echoed in my mind.

Oh, I charmed him all right. Just not in any way a niece ever should to her uncle. Step-uncle, or whatever. He already has a favorite memory of me, and it’s seared into both of our brains, guaranteed to destroy every family dinner for the rest of our lives.

I wanted so badly to tell Elvena everything. But the image of Dax’s cold eyes and his threatening command stopped me. This secret was toxic, and I couldn’t risk poisoning her with it.

“Yeah,” I lied, hating myself for it. “Yeah, that’s all. I’m just being stupid.”

“Circe, you’re not stupid,” she softly said, and it directly sent another fresh stab of guilt for not telling her. “You’re just overwhelmed. You got this, okay? Call me the second it’s over.”

“Okay,” I whispered. “I will.”

We hung up, and I felt more alone than ever.

Getting ready felt like preparing for a battle. I settled on a pair of simple black trousers and a conservative, high-necked green silk blouse. It was elegant but simple. As I stood in front of my full-length mirror, seeing a stranger. Her pale, wide eyes were looking straight at me with fear.

I have to get this over with.

Valeriano’s was exactly the kind of place I had expected. Old money, hushed tones, and lighting so dim it felt conspiratorial.

“Good evening, Ms. Davies,” a severe-looking maître d’ said, his eyes flicking down at a large book. “Right this way. The Trevino party.”

Hearing the name spoken aloud, claiming me as part of their group, sent a fresh shiver down my spine. He had led me through a maze of white-clothed tables. My heart was beating down my throat with each step, feeling like a countdown.

Then I saw them. Seated at a secluded corner booth, bathed in the soft glow of a candle. My mother looked so radiant across to Delson, who seemed so relaxed and happy.

And next to him was Dax with his back to the room.

As we approached, Delson looked around, and his face broke into a wide grin the moment he saw me.

“Circe! You made it! You look stunning. Doesn’t she, Dax?”

The question forced Dax to turn. He did it so slowly. His impossibly blue eyes finding mine. He let his gaze travel from my face down the line of my body and back up again in a possessive appraisal that made me feel naked.

“Absolutely, Delson,” he said with a smoothed, dangerous purr. “Green is a beautiful color on her.”

“We were getting worried!” My mother interjected, gesturing to the empty seat beside her, directly opposite to Dax. “We already ordered a champagne to celebrate. You’ll have a glass, won’t you, sweetie?”

“Of course,” I managed to say, my voice tight as I slid into the booth. “Thank you.”

The waiter moved instantly, filling a flute with bubbling liquid and placing it before me. Delson raised his own glass.

“A toast,” his voice filled with gratitude. “To new beginnings, and to my wonderful family being all together.”

Mom and Delson clinked their glasses. Dax slowly raised his own glass, his eyes never leaving mine. I lifted my flute, my hand trembling slightly. He held my gaze for a long, terrifying moment, as the world seemingly fell away underneath my feet. Leaving just the two of us locked in a silent, suffocating stare across the flickering candlelight.

He gave me a slight, almost imperceptible nod. Then, he raised his glass a fraction of an inch higher, a gesture only meant for me.

“To new beginnings,” his voice resonated through me like a dark promise. “Welcome to the Trevino family, Circe.”