an's

how much power she's given me th

t p

of steel. I've met predators in boardrooms, killers in alleys, kings dressed a

. I don't like

's an art. I mapped out every step, every ruin, every downfall of the men who t

ed and my name to burn. I've replayed his downfall in my head a thousand times-how I'd make him watch as ev

very line of ink she's about to sign doesn't just bin

rst instinct isn't cruelty, it's possession. The desire to taste, to claim, to press her against the leather sea

, Red?'' I let my voice d

men like you don't hand out contracts without hidden clauses. A s

losed every exit. That's the beauty of control-you d

iberately casual. ''Make a choice, Asha. Wal

nd fire also gets consumed. Finally, she exhales, and the pen s

ic

Montero's first brick

. Possessive. Not letting her pretend this was some meaningless signature. Her gasp

st her skin. Her pulse stutters beneath her thumb, and I savor it like a drug. ''Y

g else she can't hide. And God help me, that

e is her, red hair glowing under the light, lips parted as if I cou

weak. My father taught me that. And we

e's already breaking

rs, trying to be defiant but betrayin

I answer simply. ''An

think signing a piece of

Red. That just

ontact. Brave. Or foolish. Maybe both

in a game she doesn't understand-a part of me is already wonder

er fingers, probably to shake off the chill I left be

is,'' she says fina

assessing its prey. ''No sweetheart. The o

neath her armor. She loves him, even if he doe

acks. This is the revenge I've planned. That's the power I've earned.

ifferent when s

You're mine now. And when I say mine, I don't mean in co

reply. She doesn't need to. Sile

'll t

r

y revenge, she may also be the o

's heir doesn'