Page 411 of Black Reign

Then:

“Fine.”

I lower the cup.

He stands.

“Don't make me regret this.”

“I promise nothing.”

I take his seat.

The moment my fingers touch the console, something inside me wakes.

This.

This I understand.

Not fathers.

Not husbands.

Not weddings.

Systems.

Patterns.

Things that tell the truth if you know where to look.

I pull my hair up and twist it into a knot.

Xavier moves beside me.

I glance at him.

“Access.”

“How much?”

“All of it.”

Senior immediately says, “No.”

I keep looking at Xavier.

“All of it.”

His father steps closer.

“You cannot simply grant⁠—”

“Xavier.”

My husband's eyes meet mine.

There is one second where Blackwell heir and Blackwell son stand against each other inside him.