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“Zay said we can go get French manis and pedis and have a girls’ day while we’re here.”

“We need to talk, Azaria,” Zay interrupted.

Emily groaned. “Already?”

“Yes.”

Ares stepped farther into the room and picked up his walkie-talkie.

“Personnel, venez montrer à mon invité les chambres à choisir.” Staff, come show my guests the rooms they can choose from.

Two house attendants appeared within seconds.

Ares looked toward Emily and Lil Z. “Pick whatever room y’all want. Stay out of mine.”

Emily laughed before taking Lil Z from me and following the attendants into the hallway.

One of the seamstresses finished pinning a fabric sample against my shoulder.

“Nous avons terminé pour le moment.” We’re finished for now.

Both women gathered their things and left us alone.

As soon as the door closed, I knew whatever Zay came to say wasn’t going to be some regular brother-and-sister conversation.

He pulled out a chair. “Sit.”

I sat down without arguing while Ares stayed near the far wall with his arms crossed.

“I heard you been thinking about turning on me.”

I frowned. “That’s not necessarily true.”

My gaze went directly to Ares because I knew exactly where Zay got that information.

Zay wasn’t interested in hearing excuses. “Ri-Ri, everything I’m making you do right now is going to save your life. I told you that a million times.”

I didn’t respond.

“I’m not making you marry Ares because of Dad’s bullshit politics,” he continued. “I’m doing it because I need you in position.”

“Position for what?”

“To replace your dumb-ass momma.”

My stomach turned at the thought of becoming anything close to her.

“I don’t want her place.”

“You don’t have a choice about being part of this. Her side of the family controls a lot of shit I need, and you’re the only person who can eventually walk into those rooms without your momma standing beside you.”

I stared at him while everything he was saying started making more sense than I wanted it to.

“You want to get rid of her and Dad, right? You told me that shit years ago.”

I didn’t answer because there was no point in lying to him.

“Then get clean and stay clean. Listen to what me and Ares are telling you right now because we’re trying to get you where you need to be.” Zay looked toward Ares before bringing his focus back to me. “Whether you fall in love with this nigga or not is your choice. I don’t give a fuck about that part.”