“You sonovabitch!” Luc Batiste’s voice cracks like a whip. “My daughter is no fucking pawn.”
Something hot spikes in my chest—pain, anger, humiliation—and before I can stop myself, I cut in.
“That’s exactly why the answer is yes, Dad.”
His head whips toward me. “Cece?—”
“No. You’re missing the point.” My voice is low, but it rings like steel. “They’re trying to force a war. A war we don’t need. A war none of us wants. Why should we let them? Why spill blood when we can sign a piece of paper and win?”
“Cecilia, I won’t let you marry this guy for a fucking deal!” My father balks.
I inhale a calming breath even though I want to scream.
“Look, Dad, this alliance puts Viper Enterprises and Volkov Industries in direct partnership with Hephaestus United, securing our position as the dominant weapons supplier for private military contractors worldwide—and locking in billions in potential revenue. I won’t be the reason this deal fails, Dad?—”
“Cecilia—”
“And,” I continue, interrupting my father for the first time in recent memory, “I’m not asking your permission. This is my job. Let me do it. The same way any of the men in this family would and have.”
My father glares, but he’s listening.
My uncles go still.
Atlas doesn’t move a muscle.
“This is an elegant solution,” I continue, chin high. “I marry him. Temporarily. We go visit this General or Mr. Stavros’ mine together, as a married couple, and we go through the necessary negotiations. This warlord is placated, or paid off, and the mine reopens. Everyone profits.”
“And after?” Dad asks.
“After? We come home. We get it annulled, and life goes on.”
“Cecilia,” Atlas says, and I feel his gaze like a brand dragging across my skin. “We can discuss all the terms?—”
“No,” I snap. “We don’t need to do that. My father is my attorney. He’s likely had a prenup waiting in his files since I was born.”
I can’t even look at him right now.
Not without giving something away.
Not without showing the part of me that stupidly thought the other night meant something.
That maybe he wanted me, not just the Viper attorney with a useful last name and the right pedigree.
I force myself to smile.
A perfect, polished, poisonous smile. And I look at my uncles and my father, nodding encouragingly.
“Go on. You know this is right. It’s simple.”
I lie through my teeth, and for once, it is so damn easy.
But then again, I learned from the best.
Wolves and Vipers, every last one of them.
I’m of them. Just one of the children of power, raised on blood and loyalty.
“Mr. Batiste, I swear to you, Cecilia will be safe. And I vow to treat your daughter with all the respect and care befitting my wife. On my honor.”
