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“I-It’s not like I don’t know,” I quietly confess and press my forehead into his shoulder, trying to calm my body down. “How can one shine when she’s trapped in a blanketed cage, desperate to hide her forever?”
We don’t say anything as we work on catching our breaths.
“What if we’re the ones to set you free?” he ponders. “If we tore that blanket apart, unlocked that gilded cage, and set our Canary free?”
“You wouldn’t do that,” I whisper.
“Liar,” he replies right back. “You know we would. Or should I be specific on ‘who’ would want to see you spread your wings and fly?”
I lift my head and lean back enough so I can stare right into his eyes. His expression is calm, with a sense of resolve in the depths of his dilated eyes.
He… means it?
“Domino wouldn’t let you,” I barely speak it out.
“Domino is but a step that isn’t needed to reach the top of victory, Verena,” he whispers. “We can always skip it.”
I swallow the lump in my throat as I think of the possibility.
The trickle of hope.
“And what can I offer in return?” There has to be something he needs from me.
“Why do you need to offer anything?” he questions.
“Because…”I’ve always had to.
When I struggle to answer, he spins us around so he can lower me to the bench, settling me onto his lap but not letting go. We share a look, and he allows me to see his earnest expression.
“Because I’m an object and need to be of service to be deemed valuable,” I confess, even though it hurts to admit it out loud.
He stares at me long and hard before he presses a light kiss on my forehead.
“Let them believe whatever the fuck they want,” he grumbles, sounding angry. “We’re changing that from today onward. You’re not an object to me. Not in the way where I show you off just for the thrill of it.”
He pulls me against him, and I can only wonder what he’s thinking.
“In our world, you have to pretend to be something of value. In some cases, that means objectifying yourself to make you seem weak. Vulnerable. At one’s mercy.” Stroking my back slowly, he presses a firm kiss on the very drawn mark Zander placed upon my flesh.
“So let them think that’s all you are… an object at your Ruthless Kings’ disposal,” he encourages. His next words ignite shivers through me. “Until they’re forced to bow their heads and acknowledge that you’re the queen on the board, ready to make that ultimate move.”
When he leans away to meet my gaze, I can finally understand why Ares is so dangerous.
The quiet ones are the most lethal ones.
“Checkmate,” I whisper and take in the murderous smile that takes on the handsome lines of his face.
“Checkmate, Devious Canary,” he praises. “Now, let’s give those fuckers a glimpse of your power.”
27
NEVER TAUNT YOUR PREY
~GEMINI~
“Damn. Is that Prescott?”
“No fucking way.”
