“And don’t give me any shit. Wyatt and Owen already tried that, and it didn’t go well for them. I want updates, and I want them now, or I’m storming the Fraternitas and knocking on Daddy Edgewood’s door, and none of you want that stress,” she continues to rattle on.
I attempt to speak, but she puts up her hand, essentially silencing me.
“I’m not finished. I’ve played by the fucked up rules of this town and kept quiet because I had to, but if you fuckheads did something to my girl, then not even the Council will keep you safe from me,” she finally huffs, crossing her arms and nodding.
Quirking a brow, I fix my gaze on her. “Are you quite finished, Miss Warren?”
Shay rolls her eyes. She’s never been one to take our bullshit— not even when I started working here. “I stopped speaking, didn’t I? So that means I’m done unless you give me a reason to keep going. Now spill it. I haven’t seen Ariah since the party.”
I massage my temples, trying to alleviate the building headache.
“She’s been kidnapped,” I state, seeing no point in sugarcoating the situation— I go for the rip-the-band-aid-off approach.
“What the bumbo ras claat?” she shouts. Her fist clenches at her side, her face going three different shades of red, and her nostrils flare as Shay tries to reign in her temper. “What do you mean she’s been kidnapped? How the fuck does that happen onyourfucking property?”
Sighing, I run my hands through my loosely styled hair before sitting on my desk and resting them at my sides. “She was drugged and taken with the help of someone posing as Lydia,” I inform her.
Shay doesn’t know all the details of the Fraternitas’ requirements for the town, but as her family has been here a few generations now, she knows enough.
I stand and begin packing my office again, walking over to the bookcase and grabbing a stack of books to place in the box on the table.
“So, what’s the plan, and how can I help?”
I pause at her question, then resume my trek toward the bookshelf.
She’s about to say something when we’re interrupted.
“Have you been ignoring me, Bastian?” Vivian’s voice sounds from my office door.
The throbbing in my head intensifies.Fuck, she’s annoying.
I remember a time when that voice would harden my dick with its sultry tone. Now, it just grates my nerves.
Seeing that we won’t be able to discuss anything further with Vivian here, Shay announces, “Thank you, Mr. Grant. I’ll wait to hear from you.” Then she strides for the door, brushing past Vivian, curling her lip in disgust.
Sighing, I stop boxing up my things, “How can I help you,Miss Taylor?”
I don’t have time for her shit. I came to pack up my things while the guys look for leads on the Senator and Madeline.
After the video footage Lev showed yesterday, it’s been all hands on deck, but I needed to clear out my office before all this damn courting begins.
Her body stiffens as if I struck her with my formal address. Recovering quickly, the wince she donned transforms into a smile.I wonder if she knows she has burgundy lipstick on her teeth?
“Don’t be like that. Just because you’ve made yourSelection,it doesn’t mean anything has to change between us. How will they know?”
Rolling my eyes, I return to packing the things on my desk. “Miss Taylor, everything’s changed. The primary change being I can finally stop fucking you.” My voice is venomous when I make my next point. “Did you honestly think there was a future here?” I look and see the hurt in her eyes. “Oh, you did. Well, that’s too bad for you. After you not only fucked my father, but then married my former best friend, I think that ship has sailed. Now please get the fuck out of here so I can finish this in peace.”
“Sebastian!” She storms into the room shouting, “How can you speak to me like that? I’ve apologized.” She grabs me, trying to make me face her. “I had to.”
Turning my neck slightly, I peer down at where her hand grasps my arm, trailing my gaze slowly until our eyes connect. My stare is glacial, causing her to drop her hand immediately.
“Bash, baby. Please don’t do this. None of those girls have what you need. They can’t satisfy your hunger.”
“Step back, Vivian, and stop fucking begging. You look ridiculous,” I demand and return to packing.
“Sebastian, please?” she pleads, but I ignore her. Vivian Taylor had my heart once, and she crushed it. I’ll never trust another woman with it again.
That thought makes me think of how Owen and Wyatt look at Ariah. That girl has them lost with no hope of return.
