"Where's Archie?" Quentin demanded, his voice tight. "Where is he? What did you do to him?"

Gavin eyed Quentin suspiciously. "And who are you supposed to be? Archie's boyfriend or something?" He recalled Archie mentioning an interest in men. The strangers crowding his living room only fueled his growing unease. Were any of these men the one Archie liked? What a chaotic bunch. And Silas? What was he doing here? Nothing made sense, and Gavin's anger simmered. It was Christmas Eve, for crying out loud, and a group had stormed his home, two even carrying what looked suspiciously like bazookas. What the hell? Couldn't a man enjoy his holiday dinner in peace?

"What do you people want?" Gavin demanded. "Archie's my son. If you have business with him, go through me. Let's not ruin the holidays. Just tell me."

"Yeah!" Chester interjected nervously, eyeing the group. "You all look ready for a brawl. It's making everyone uncomfortable!"

Portia folded her arms, glaring. "You must be Archie's idiotic, conniving little brother, huh? We're here for Archie. You've locked him up, haven't you?"

"What's uncomfortable is you keeping Archie from us!" she snapped. "If you've got the guts, bring him out!"

Calliope stepped forward, planting herself before Gavin. Despite her slight build, her presence was commanding.

"Let me get this straight," she said, her voice icy. "You three get Christmas dinner, but not Archie? So, he's your son in name only? Not good enough for roast and mashed potatoes?" Her sharp gaze fell on Chester. "If he's not good enough, then this guy doesn't deserve it either!"

"Wait, why am I 'this guy'?" Chester asked, startled.

"Because you're no prize, either!" Calliope retorted. "If it weren't for you, maybe Archie wouldn't be bullied constantly!" Her gaze shifted to Willow, cold and sharp. Willow visibly shivered.

"We haven't done anything to Archie," Willow insisted defensively. "We just wanted him to marry someone suitable. He refused, that's all."

"Oh, so you tied him up because he said no?" Calliope's eyebrow arched. "If this marriage is so great, why not have your son do it? You just want Archie out of the family so your precious boy can inherit everything, right?" Calliope clearly knew the Yoder family's secrets. Even if Archie hadn't told her much, she'd heard the rumors. Archie's situation was unenviable.

Gavin's face hardened. "I'll do as I please. Archie marries who I say, end of story. I'm his father, I raised him, I make the rules! The inheritance goes to my youngest, and there's nothing you can do about it!"

Calliope shot him a look of pure disdain. "Idiot."

Gavin bristled. "What did you just say?" He stared at her, incredulous. "You little brat, did you just call me an idiot?"