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Bianca pulled back enough to look at me. “That somebody is you?”

“Of course.”

“What about his little bride?”

“She only matters if he survives long enough to make it to Marcel’s funeral.”

Her face changed immediately. “You’re insane.”

“No. I’m prepared.”

Bianca took another drink of wine before setting the glass down “What do you want with me?”

“I want you loyal to me this time.”

A smirk touched her mouth. “Why would I be loyal to you?”

“Because I chose you first.”

Bianca hated me, but she wanted me too. Those two things had always existed between us, and I knew exactly how to use both.

I kissed her slowly, making it clear there wasn’t anything romantic about what I wanted from her. Her fingers gripped my shirt anyway.

That was enough for me.

She could tell herself this was about me if she wanted to. She could use me to get back at Ares, and I could use every piece of information she still had access to.

By the time Bianca figured out where she really fit into my plan, I intended to be sitting in the seat Ares never should’ve had.

$$$$$

Hours later, Bianca was asleep in my bed, curled against my pillows with her skin still warm after I fucked her brains out.

I got up without waking her and noticed her phone sitting on the desk. It was connected to my network, which made getting into what I wanted easier than she would’ve liked.

I opened her email.

There it was.

Subject: Legal Inquiry — Urgent

Recipients: Lyric Green, Leona Graves

Ladies,

Hope you are doing well.

I am contacting you because after personally reviewing the NDAs and final compensation packages associated with our departure from Ares, I discovered multiple inconsistencies and questionable clauses that may warrant legal attention.

This is not a personal or emotional message. This is about fairness and opportunity.

If either of you is interested in discussing next steps, please respond within forty-eight hours. Professional collaboration could benefit everyone involved.

Regards,

Bianca Cole

I read the email twice before setting her phone back where I found it.