Page 108 of Silk and Sirens

Frustrated, I flicked my cigarette to the ground and crushed it under my heel.

“Mr Ackworth.”

I stilled, flicking my gaze to the right where the skinhead with the multi-coloured eyes stepped into the light. Renley Elkins, the prick that had a thing for Aeris and was one of Selene’s snakes. He must have been waiting, his gun aimed at my chest.

“You think that’s wise, mate?” I asked with a raised brow.

“Miss Blackwater’s waiting.” He lifted the gun, aiming for my head.

A beat passed, my anger rigid. Renley gestured for me to lead, walking us towards the mouth of the alley where a large SUV waited.

Renley dug the gun into my back, the door opening automatically. Selene was inside, her smile slick as she sat with her manicured hand on my father’s knee. The moment I climbed in and took the seat opposite them, his eyes locked onto mine.

I checked him once over—taking in his clenched jaw, crusted blood, and bruised cheek—before I met Selene’s gaze.

“We finally meet,” she said, her tone almost warm as Renley slipped in beside me, the gun now aimed at my stomach. “Apologies about the force, but you can never be too careful.”

The car began to move, slowly joining traffic.

“This is a mistake,” I warned.

“Only if I lose,” she said, sounding amused. “As you can see, I’ve been in discussions with your father regarding an arranged marriage between yourself and my Vivienne.”

“She’s threatening to expose me,” Dad said calmly, although rage vibrated beneath his words.

“That’s right, I have enough information to bury your father and his company with a matter of a single phone call. All his deals, aired out like dirty laundry,” Selene said with a flippant wave of her hand. “He’ll be arrested for money laundering, and this time the charges will stick. That’s if one of his more brutish clients doesn’t take out their frustrations on him first, of course.”

“So, what? I marry your daughter or you’ll expose my father?”

“Life’s full of tough choices, isn’t it?” she chuckled. “But I’ll make myself clear … You will marry my Vivienne, because if you don’t, not only will I go after your father, but I’ll hurt Aeris in ways she will never recover from.”

I gritted my teeth, my nostrils flaring. “Why the fuck would I care what you do with Aeris?”

“Oh, I think we’re both too intelligent to play this game, right?” She tilted her head, smile sharpening. “So … do we have a deal?”

Chapter 44

Caden

V:

I have a present for you

I ignored her, finger hovering over Sebastian’s name before I decided on Langdon. Better a text conversation than a phone call that could be overheard.

Me:

Selene’s dropping Dad off at his office. Go grab him and escort him to mine.

Firestarter:

What the fuck have I missed?

…

V:

I’m in the penthouse.