He’s fishing for weakness, but she won’t give it.
“Like I said,” she answers coolly, “it’s family business. We have some issues from the trust and will to settle.”
Probably true, though I’ll bet she’s already drained the trust dry.
“I want my attorneys involved,” I say, “to make sure Ella’s protected.”
“Oh my,” Sylveria murmurs, and the roughness bruises deeper. “You really are enamored.”
Enamored. A word I barely understand. “You’d better hope not.”
“Is she working for you, Justice?” she presses, eyes sharp.
“None of your business,” I answer.
Her smile is sly. “Well, if she works for you, she can work for me.”
“I don’t think she wants to work for you,” I say evenly. “But I’ll pose the question.”
Mathias glares. “Justice, have you kidnapped Ella?” His voice rasps, stabbing pain back into my knees.
“Yes.”
Mathias fidgets with his thick, gnarly hands. “She’s dating Wesley Whisper from my company. If you kidnapped her, we should discuss it.”
“Wesley can get in contact with her if he wishes,” I say flatly. “They’re no longer dating.”
“Does he know that?” Alexei asks. His voice stays smooth, expression unreadable, the mask firmly in place. Controlled.
Is he amused? “I don’t know, and I don’t care.” I focus back on him. “We’ve already had one high-society wedding. When is yours, Alexei?”
He doesn’t pale, but he doesn’t answer.
“Alexei,” Sylveria says, her tone rough and bruising, “are you marrying Rosalie?”
Mathias leans forward, his brows rising.
For two of the most dangerous people on the planet, they sure like to gossip.
“If I do,” Alexei says, glancing at his watch, “you’ll be the first invited.” He stands, graceful and calm, his chair sliding back on marble. His voice is steady, clean, giving me a brief reprieve. “It’s been a pleasure.” He strides out with his two men falling in behind him, precise and sharp.
Mathias rises next, patting his belly. “I really like Wesley. He does a good job for us. At least let him call Ella.”
“Absolutely,” I say. I couldn’t care less what Wesley Whisper wants.
Mathias nods once, then strides out with his guards.
That leaves me with Sylveria and her daughters.
“Sit,” Sylveria orders. Her rough tone presses into me, heavy in my kidneys.
Stacia takes Mathias’s vacated chair, the scrape of metal against marble loud in the echoing space. Corinda joins her, folding her hands neatly on the table. Both young women are poised, calm, and watching me.
Corinda smiles, looking so much like her mother it’s unsettling. Younger, beautiful, a sharper version of the same face. Blonde hair, blue eyes, lovely bone structure. She’s the face of TimeGem Moments, and she seems to do a good job hitting parties and events. I think she has a few million followers and is an expert in makeup, movie lines, and the best cocktails. “Mother says you need a bride.”
“Do I?” I ask.
Stacia flips her dark hair back, eyes sparkling. “Yes. Mother would like to auction us off as cattle. I’m not on board.”
