I slip the diamond into the hidden pocket of my dress. “I needed air.”
“In here?” He steps closer, and I smell the alcohol now, harsh and sour. “With him?”
“He left,” I answer, bored.
“I saw.” Parker's jaw tightens. “Everyone saw. You two sneaking off like teenagers.”
I shake my head. “We talked. That's it.”
“Right.” He laughs, bitter and hollow. “Just talking. Is that what you call it when his hands are all over you?”
My pulse spikes, but I keep my expression neutral. “You're drunk.”
His mouth curdles. “And you're fucking him.”
The accusation hangs between us. I could deny it. Should deny it.
“Why do you care?” I push off the wall, moving toward him instead of away. “You don't love me. This has never been about love.”
His hand shoots out to my wrist. “You're my wife.”
“I'm your nothing,” I sneer, yanking against his hold, but he doesn't release. “Your perfect little trophy to parade around so people don't ask questions about what you do in the dark.”
His eyes widen, fear flickering across his features before arrogance smothers it. “You threatening me? Young Love?”
My mind spirals, snatching my breath before I can shove it away.
Handle your shit, Ivanya… you're better than this.
It's been six years since the burning man came back and saved me from evil. I still owe him my life, only now, he doesn't go by the burning man, he goes by the name Emeric. I haven't seen him since he left me and Nonna, but slowly, more arrived. Luce, Leon, Jord, Punk.
“Ivanya, it has been many years, my child.” I don't move. Afraid that if I do, I'll break by thanking him for saving me. Thank him for taking me away from the vile things that were happening to me. And then I'd look weak. If there's anything I don't want, it's to look weak. Not to him. Not to Nonna. Not after all this time that they put into sharpening me like a weapon.
I absorb his words like they're gospel, because they are.
“With every chapter of thefour books of L’Abattoir Codex were honoredby you, I watched in admiration as you not only learned, but you owned. Book One: PsychologicalWarfare, Book Two: Corps de Violence, Book Three: Advanced Manipulation, Book Four: Emergency Protocols for Emotional Contamination. You were born to serve Lavage de Cerveau, my Ivanya, and I am honored to have you as I've watched you spread your violence through the streets of Europe. The children will speak of you as they do me. Le Boucher Sans Loi—”
“Everything okay?” Her gaze bounces between us, pulling me out of memory lane.So fucking close. So close to this moment.
“Perfect.” Parker smooths his suit jacket, mask sliding back into place. “Just having a private conversation with my wife.”
Lucinda doesn't believe him. I can see it in the way her shoulders tense, how her hand hovers near her clutch.
“The cake's ready,” she says carefully, ignoring Parker.
I brush past him without another word, following Lucinda back toward the noise and lights. She leans close as we walk.
“What happened?” she whispers, a smile wide on her face.
I match her mask. “Nothing I can't handle.”
“Ivy—”
“Drop it, Luce.”
We emerge into the main room where someone's dimmed the lights. A massive cake sits on the center table, candles flickering, and the crowd breaks into an off-key rendition of Happy Birthday that makes my skin crawl.
Asher stands near the back, Camille plastered to his side again, but his attention locks on me immediately. Something passes between us, silent and loaded. His jaw clenches. My fingers brush the hidden pocket where the diamond waits.
