The heat moved closer. The snake in a perpetual cycle of death and rebirth pressed its fangs against my womb. I screamed. My skin seared. I considered the concept of oblivion, nothingness. Wes whispered thatit was going to be okay, I was going to be okay.
A sound boomed through the room like the voice of God.
“Inmyfucking house, Roman Nicholas Graves?”
52
NOVA
My eyes flew open. Wes yanked the iron back and dropped it to the floor.
Another man burst into the room, tall, bald and hazel-eyed, his face contorted into shock and rage.
“What the hell is going on here?” he shouted at Roman, who, for the first time, didnotlook entirely in control.
Roman didn’t lower his gun. He straightened and took a step forward, his eyes darting from us to the man rapidly. “How are you here?”
“What the fuck does that matter! Answer my questions,now.” His gaze swept from Roman to Wes. His eyes widened. “Wesley. Why on earth would you do that to yourself? You look like a criminal.”
I panted, my heart in my throat.
Wes snorted, his eyes wide, as if aghast. “There is only one criminal in this room right now.” He paused. “Besides you, probably.”
Max Graves narrowed his gaze briefly before moving to me. I tried to look down at my stomach with my limited mobility. The skin there was pink and felt hot, but it didn’t look like the brandhad made full contact. I choked on a breath of relief, a sob finally escaping me.
Wes immediately tugged my slip back down and then reached for my hand tied above me. He stared at the gun still pointed at my head and stopped moving.
“Explain yourselves!” Max yelled.
That was when I noticed Max also had a gun, though it was currently pointed at the ground. Great. Just what this waking nightmare needed: another billionaire with a gun.
“Go ahead, Roman,” Wes snarled. “Tell our father about your little side project.”
“You think he doesn’t know?” Roman spat, spit flying from his snarling lips. “I told you, not everything is aboutyou.”
Max stepped forward, which made me the bound centerpiece between all three Graves men—Wes to my right, Roman to my left, and Max at my feet.
And Wes was the only man without a gun.
“Wesley was not part of the plan I approved,” Max shouted.
“Father, he still wants to destroy us. He’s only biding his time. Just look at the companies he’s involved with, who would cut into our users’ targeting potential by?—”
“You think I give a single fuck about his inconsequential littleprivacystartups?” Max spat. He rested his hands, and the gun, on the table as he spoke, as if to ground himself.
I swallowed. Now two guns were pointed at me.
“It’s like a toddler kicking at your shins,” Max continued. “Wes’s moves are adolescent, idealist, and unable to cause any meaningful harm. It ismy jobto protect this company, and Wesley wasnotto be involved in The Circle.” Max’s voice rose. “Do you hear me, Roman? We own the world. No one could destroy us if they spent their whole lives trying. But we could destroy ourselves if we actfoolishly.I’m putting an end to your program, effective immediately.”
Roman swallowed, his face still red and his lips in a deep frown.
“Put that fucking gun down. Now,” Max commanded.
Roman didn’t move the gun. I held my breath.
Wes’s gaze was sharp as he tracked both men, making quick calculations. “Let me get this straight. The Circle was a joint venture, and you were under the impression Roman was using it to…” Wes paused. “Gather collateral on other powerful marks.”
Roman rolled his eyes. “Obviously. And the program must continue.” He smiled, a crazed look in his eyes that matched the deranged quality of his voice. “What we have on Elliot Sulton would end him. And it’s nothing compared to what we have on?—”
