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Page 108 of Court of Aether and Shadows

Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and he gently wiped them away.

“Of course I forgive you. Please tell me your investigator found out who wrote the article?”

“Yes. He intercepted Margaret Smythe on her river cruise. Dimitri threatened her family if she didn’t write and submit the story. He gave her the details of everyone at the club. Then hepaid her enough money to disappear until the heat died down and bribed the sub-editor to get the story printed.”

“But how did he know where I worked?”

“Two months before he came back to London, he ensured one of his bodyguards, a British citizen, got a job at the club. He was the security guard who left you alone the night Dimitri came into the bar. He planted several bugs around the club and got your name from the recordings.”

“Oh my god.”

“Brynne. I’m sorry. I hired the investigator to prove that I couldn’t trust you. But before he found out the truth, I already knew it. I knew you would never hurt me.”

She squeezed his hand. “It’s okay. I understand why you didn’t trust me. That awful, smelly woman lied to you.”

“Smelly woman?”

“That bitch who was spewing insults the day I first met you. Her perfume always gave me a raging headache.”

He laughed and groaned, holding his own ribs. “Red?”

“Yes, sir?”

“I want you with me. Not for a month. Not because of our agreement. But because I love you.”

She choked back a sob. “You do?”

“I’m afraid so. But there is one condition.”

“Anything.”

“I don’t want blind obedience, I want the fiery pixie who challenges me at every turn. The one who misbehaves and gives me countless reasons to take her over my knee.”

Brynne hiccupped. “I think I can manage that.”

He leaned close and kissed her.

Her fingers entwined in his hair and held. “Mags. In case you haven’t figured it out. I love you, too. And you’ve made me the happiest brat on the planet.”

Epilogue

Six months later

“Are you comfortable, sweetheart?”

“Pffft, do I look comfortable? How long will you keep me like this?”

“Until you learn your lesson.”

“I’ve learned my lesson. Please untie me, or at least make me come.” She jangled the chains on the cuffs to make her point.

“You lied to me.”

“It was just a lunch, for god’s sake. Declan is a friend. I didn’t tell you because you don’t like him. He’s not a threat, but you’re acting like I cheated on you.”

He leaned back in his office chair and smiled. His eyes gleamed with something sinister, making her shiver. “I think you did it on purpose. You’ve been a brat this whole week.”

“I’m bratty because you’ve been making me wear these awful plugs in my butt for days!”


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