“Yeah. Anywhere but here.” Matt scoffs as he stands.
He circles the table, pauses behind my chair, and lays a tattooed hand on my shoulder. Ink and heat press against bare skin. His new ring glints in the overhead lights, stealing my ability to think. It looks even better on his tattooed knuckles than I could have anticipated. Across the table, Ciaran’s stare fixes on the movement, but he doesn’t say anything, and after a long moment, drops his attention back to the plate in front of him.
Matt gives my shoulder one last, gentle squeeze, and then he’s gone, but the air he leaves behind still clings to me. And for the first time all night, I don’t feel small.
No one’s ever stood up to her like that, not for me. My chest rises and falls too quickly as I lean back in the chair. Something claws at my ribs, raw and unfamiliar.
Hope.
Hope that I’m not insane for wanting more than this world of silken cages and weaponised smiles. Hope that someone—Matt—might look past all the layers of control and expectation and still think I’m worth defending.
I close my eyes, and for a fleeting moment, I let myself imagine what it would feel like to matter.
Not because of bloodlines. Not because of marriage contracts.
Just… me. Lily. And him.
But then the spell shatters, and reality seeps back in like icy water. Nothing can happen between us, not when I’m barely eighteen, and he’s my stepbrother. Not when a marriage contract with another name already waits for him. In six short years, he’ll be gone, swept into a world that isn’t mine.
Still, I touch the spot on my shoulder where his hand rested and swear it’s still warm.
Whatever this is—whatever it can’t become—it’s not nothing.
And that terrifies me more than anything.
From:[email protected]
Subject:Re: Contingencies
Kyle’s patience is slipping. Helen’s proving… difficult, and it’s making him erratic. He wants us to hurry up and get the next batch of girls across to the Boss.
How’s Lily doing? Finished with school yet?
From:[email protected]
Subject:Re: Contingencies
Kyle’s temper has always been a liability. Surely you know how to keep him in line by now. Perhaps swap with him, let him have Freya. She’s far more manageable, isn’t she?
Lily’s fine. She’s starting college soon, wanted to spread her wings, but Ciaran put his foot down.
From:[email protected]
Subject:Re: Contingencies
Maybe I should remind that husband of yours who Lily belongs to? You should’ve fought to let her go, what’s the harm? Also, send some photos; it’s been too long since I’ve seen her.
From:[email protected]
Subject:Re: Contingencies
