Page 85 of A Vicious Love

“The three years are up,” he said. “Either I replace her with the Bellemere cousin they’re offering you, or Sienna is placed with a Crow who will complete what you keep stalling.”

“End the merger,” the words came out before I knew I was going to say them.

Damius looked at me for a long moment.

“What?”

“Fine. End it.” I shrugged, cruel and careless because cruelty was easier than whatever had just torn through my chest. “Give her to Weston. Send Celeste. Void the whole fucking thing. I don’t give a fuck.”

“You do not give a fuck,” he repeated.

“No.”

“About Sienna Bellemere.”

“No.”

“About where she goes.”

I leaned in slightly. “No.”

Something inside me went tight. Violent. I did not move. Damius saw the blood before I did.

“Very well,” he adjusted one cuff. “If that is your decision, I will begin the formal review.”

“Do that.”

“I will speak to the Bellemeres.”

“Enjoy yourself.”

“I will speak to Weston.”

The desk behind me groaned. My hand had found the edge, fingers clamped so hard the wood protested. Damius glanced at it. Then back at me.

“You are cracking your furniture, Jamison.” Damius turned toward the door. “You lie badly where she is concerned.”

I said nothing.

He looked back.

“For a man who has built an empire on reading others, you are remarkably committed to not reading yourself.”

The doors closed. No one spoke for several seconds.

“You absolute fucking idiot.” Harrison said.

I turned on him.

“Get out,” I said.

“No.”

“Harris,” Marcel warned.

“No.” Harrison’s face was hard now. “He just told Damius to give Sienna to Weston and is standing there pretending his soul didn’t try to leave his body.”

The room narrowed to his fucking mouth that never shut up. I moved toward him.