Page 122 of Silk and Sirens

“She’s fucking stupid,” I added in the same language.

“It doesn’t matter what I believe, because this is what’s going to happen,” she said, her voice straining a fraction. “You will marry my Vivienne. She will take your name. And with that name, she, along with my guidance, will reclaim what is rightfully ours.”

“Rightfully yours?”

“My birthright,” she snapped, glaring at Sebastian. “Everything that was taken from me when my father died. I want it back. All of it. That includes the cocaine trade.”

“We won’t be handing anything over to you,” Sebastian said coldly, “regardless of whether you force Caden to marry Vivienne.”

Annoyance darkened her eyes, and I smiled beneath my mask at her crack in composure.

“You won’t have much choice,” she said, reaching up to adjust the dead animal she had draped around her shoulders. “Because not only do I have enough evidence of your father’s indiscretions to bury the Ackworth name forever, but I also hold something far more personal over you.”

“And what could that possibly be?” Sebastian asked.

Selene smiled at him, entirely unfazed before turning to me. “The same reason I know you won’t harm me right now.” She let the silence stretch for a beat. “Don’t worry, I’ll leave her unharmed … Mostly.”

A heavy pressure slammed into my chest.

“If you so much as touch her,” I growled. “I will personally make sure every last member of your bloodline dies screaming.”

Selene didn’t flinch—if anything, her smile widened—because I’d just confirmed that Aeris meant something.

Shit.

“You should have thought of that before you took my daughter,” she said carefully, lifting her hand as her men reached for their weapons. “I’m going to assume she’s still alive? Because you don’t have such a reputation for being stupid.”

At my silence, she continued.

“Good. Now, she will remain unharmed, but know this—you may like Aeris warming your bed, but her life will always be mine.”

Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

“This wedding will happen. Vivienne will become an Ackworth, and you will treat her with the respect and loyalty she deserves as your wife.” Selene stood, looking every inch the expensive socialite in her dark-purple dress and fur coat. “Or dear Aeris will pay the price for your temper.”

“Be very careful who you threaten, Selene,” Sebastian warned.

Selene’s smile turned predatory. “I’m simply securing my family’s future. I expect Vivienne to be returned to me today and an engagement announcement within the week. Don’t disappoint me, gentlemen.”

With that she swept out of the office, her men following after her. The moment they were gone, Sebastian slammed his fist onto the table, the sharp crack echoing through the room. “Fucking bitch.”

Cold fury settled deep in my bones, my mind focused on Aeris.

Pulling out my phone, I immediately called her. My heart thundered, banging against my ribs so hard it ached.

When she didn’t answer, I sent her a text.

Me:

Ring me. Now.

My phone creaked with how tight I held it, waiting for those ticks to turn green.

When they didn’t, I called Raj.

The line rang once. Twice. Three times.

“Pick up,” I muttered under my breath. “Pick up … fuck!”