Page 172 of The Hunter's Empire

Sebastian falls silent, one hand still pressed against his arm as I continue staring at him.

Without another word, Tobias reaches inside his coat and removes a leather folder. He places it on my desk with deliberate care before opening it and turning it toward me. Transfer documents.

Every page is meticulously prepared, each one transferring control of the Krogen Empire into his hands.

"Sign." His voice is calm, almost courteous, as though he's asking me to approve a routine contract.

"Walk away from the empire, and your death will be quick. Refuse..." A faint smile touches his lips. "...and I'll stop being generous."

I don't even look at the papers before pushing them back across the desk onto the floor. "No."

For the first time, genuine curiosity flickers across his face. "You'd die for an empire?"

I meet his gaze without hesitation. "I'd die protecting Marcus’s final decision."

A quiet laugh escapes him. "Marcus taught you everything except the one lesson that matters."

"And what's that?"

"Empires don't belong to the people who inherit them." His fingers drum lightly against the table. "They belong to the people willing to take them."

"You mean the people willing to murder for them."

"If that's what it takes."

Then, almost as an afterthought, he asks, "Do you remember your flight to Elysian Haven?"

A chill runs through me.

"I arranged it. When that failed, I sent men to finish the job on the island." He continues.

The blood drains from my face. "You..."

"I never expected your little boyfriend to interfere." A faint smile returns to his face. "He proved far more troublesome than I anticipated."

Shock gives way to anger.

"You murdered innocent people. You brought down an aircraft... all for this?"

"For control."

I shake my head. "You still don't understand. Even if you force me to sign those papers, no one will ever follow you willingly. You'll always be remembered as the man who murdered his own family to steal an empire."

For the first time, his smile falters. Without another word, he picks up the folder again, places it in front of me, and sets a pen on top.

"This is the last time I'll ask."

I don't touch it. "No."

His patience finally evaporates. Slowly, he raises the pistol and The cold barrel presses harder against my forehead.

"Last chance."

"If you think killing me makes this empire yours..." A faint smile touches my lips. "...you're even more pathetic than your father was."

The words land exactly where I intend them to. For the first time since walking into my office, Tobias's composure cracks. A muscle twitches along his jaw, his grip tightening around the pistol as something dark flashes behind his eyes.

I draw a slow breath...