Not a taunting smile. Not a challenge. Calm, unwavering certainty. “Make me.” The words had cut deep because there had been no hesitation in Gideon’s eyes.
As if he had won.
As if he knew what Sebastian didn’t.
That had been the first moment Sebastian had truly hated him.
The moment he realized Gideon had no idea what want felt like.
Because he had never had.
Because things simply fell into his hands, like the universe had designed them to.
Because he was born lucky.
Born to bechosen.
Born to be Henry’s heir.
And now,twenty-one years later, Gideon wore that same fucking look.
Standing at the bar, staring at Arden like she belonged to him.
Make me.
Sebastian exhaled slowly, pulling himself back to the present, setting his glass down before it shattered in his grip.
This time, Gideon wasn’t going to win.
He had taken Sebastian’s birthright.
He had taken the future that was promised to him.
But he wasn’t going to take Arden.
Because unlike before? Sebastian wasn’t going to wait for Gideon to hand her over.
He was going to make Arden see the truth.
That Gideon wasn’t her salvation.
That he was her cage.
And when she finally realized that?
She’d come to him instead.
Where she belonged.
Where she had always belonged.
And this time?
Sebastian wasn’t going to let her slip away.
Not now.
Not ever.
