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Thane’s demand is clear. Ares, Etienne, and Tarian stare at him. The three men who run the society have angry scowls on their faces.
“Why would we do that?” Tarian questions as he steps in front of me.
“Because if you give it to me, I’ll leave Tynewood and only return when I need to meet with the rest of you. My reasons for wanting to be a part of the Gilded Sovereign are my own, and I don’t intend to explain them to you.”
“I beg to differ, Thane,” Tarian throws back as he steps up to Thane. “You must tell us why you want to become a Crown. If you refuse to do that, there’s no way you’ll get what you want.” There is a darkness to the words coming from Tarian, an underlying threat.
“As I said, I have my reasons. If you don’t guarantee me a place in the society now, then the next time I return, you won’t have any choice in the matter.”
“This isn’t a negotiation,” Philipe says as he stalks into the room, looking like a crime boss in his dark suit and crisp white shirt. His dark blue tie pops against the light material. “You cannot hold an Elder and his daughter hostage and then demand a crown.”
“What are you doing here?” Thane asks.
“I’ve come at the request of a few of our mutual business contacts. They’d like to see you back in New York, along with your… associate.” Philipe glances over at Yasmine, who’s looking sheepish.
“You can’t become a Tynewood Crown unless you live there.” Ares steps forward as he addresses Thane. “However, we could offer you an associate position in the society. Under one condition.” Ares looks over at Etienne and then Tarian, who are both nodding their heads in agreement.
Thane smiles before he asks, “What’s the condition?”
Philipe steps up beside Ares and says, “You will return with me to New York and complete a job that’s come to the attention of my men. If you succeed, then maybe we will consider your request to join the society.” Philipe’s tone is tight with frustration, and I don’t blame him.
“What does this job entail?” Thane asks.
“I can fill you in on the details when we’re on the plane,” Philipe replies as he looks at Ares, then Etienne, and then Tarian. “No one else here needs to know about our business dealings.”
I’m not sure what that means, and frankly, I don’t care. Thane is a grown man, so he can look after himself. All I want is for him to leave and never come back.
“And you’ll take her with you,” Tarian adds as he gestures with his head toward Yasmine, who’s staring at her son with an expression that looks a lot like fondness.
“I will,” Philipe confirms.
“Tarian—” Mrs. Calvert begins to speak.
“I don’t want to hear it, Mother,” he spits the word with such venom that even I flinch.
“Please let me talk to you. Once I have, I’ll leave. Please, Tarian.”
Her plea tugs at my heart. I want him to listen to her. After all, that’s why I came here today, to ask her to make things right.
“You have ten minutes,” Tarian says before he turns to me. “Are you okay?” The tender look he gives me, filled with remorse, has my heart thudding against my ribs. I wish he would see just what he means to me.
“Yes.” I nod.
“I’ll be back soon,” Tarian tells me before he follows his mother out of the room.
I’m left standing in a group with Ares, Etienne, and my father, while Thane has settled himself on the sofa. He doesn’t look like someone who’s been given an ultimatum. Instead, he looks like he’s just won a war.
“Once I have my title, I won’t return to Tynewood. I can promise you that,” Thane confirms.
“My brother and the rest of the Crowns will make sure you never step foot in there again. That is, if you survive the job I have planned for you,” Philipe warns him.
“Oh, I’ll survive, and I’ll put Tynewood in my past.” The tone of Thane’s voice is resigned, but there’s pride in his words.
I know he’s not going away forever, because men like him don’t keep their promises.
CHAPTER 22
TARIAN
