Page 13 of Thrown into the Mob

He cackled, and I hid my revulsion because that was not a happy laugh. It was gleeful; he was relishing making decisions that would disrupt everyone’s lives as if he were playing with miniature toy soldiers.

My father was telling me that my mate would be bonded to my brother before midnight, and I couldn’t tell him no or explain why that shouldn’t happen.

My dragon clamored to shift, and I flinched. I adjusted my position in the chair, crossing one leg over the other, and my father noted my movements. But I couldn’t give him any reason to suspect my motivation.

“The wolf is still resistant.”

“That is irrelevant because once the ceremony is complete, Evander’s dragon will take control, even though he is the omega.” His grin told me this was going to play out exactly as he wanted it to.

What he'd just said was monstrous, which mirrored similar speeches he’d made over the years. He'd run this family for decades on the principle that outcome was all that mattered.

“I doubt the wolf will cooperate.”

“He'll be given the choice between the ceremony and something more sinister. One is considerably more comfortable than the other." My father picked up a pen and made a note on the paper. “I don't anticipate any difficulty.”

Though I doubted he wanted to kill Durand, Father had a temper, and if the wolf refused, he and his dragon might lash out. And this was for a man whose only crime was being caught pretending to be someone he wasn’t while looking into our business practices.

My body vibrated, thanks to my dragon who was demanding I stand up to Father or let him do it. But my father’s beast was bigger than mine, and he was just as volatile and lacking in feeling as his human side. Smoke trickled up my throat, and I swallowed it, but not before Father narrowed his eyes at me.

He returned to his notes. “You have your assignments. I want a full briefing by seven on the perimeter and the Wyvern team. The ceremony is at nine.”

“Yes, sir.”

My hand was on the door handle when he spoke again.

“And Conrad, stay away from the third floor tonight. The bonding requires privacy.”

I walked outside, being careful not to slam the door so hard it ripped from its hinges. My mate was going to be bonded to my twin at nine o'clock.

My dragon had gone quiet, and just like Father when he stopped talking and stared at me, I worried he was going to erupt.

I walked toward the east wing because that was where I was expected to be. I wasn’t shaking and my breathing was controlled. Nine o’clock. My mate would be out of reach. But that was what I wanted. He wasn’t the person I wanted to spend my life with. I kept telling myself that.

We tried your way, and now it’s my turn.

No. You can’t get us out of this by burning shit down.

My beast sent a stream of fire, not into the house but through my veins, knowing how disruptive that was. I broke out in a sweat and slumped into a chair, thankful no one else was close to my office.

Nine o’clock and it would all be over. I wouldn’t have to concern myself with the conflicting emotions about Durand. So why did it bother me so much? I told my dragon not to answer me. He wanted Durand. But where did my beast end and I begin?

Nine o'clock. I repeated the time in my head. Either it would be the end or the beginning of my agony.

I have always obeyed you. My beast continued by saying he’d spent all of my thirty-one years respecting my decisions and tolerating being treated as disposable.

But his patience had run out.

EIGHT

MADD

The guards brought me a suit.

It wasn’t an orange prison jumpsuit, thank gods. I’d been hoping for a change of clothes, something like another pair of jeans and a clean T-shirt. But this was an actual suit like Flint wore in the office, though he wouldn’t be wearing one now that he was on a mission to save me.

I fingered the dark fabric which was of excellent quality. I knew little about clothes, but my cousins had expensive tastes and they’d introduced me to their tailor.

The suit was draped over the guard’s arm, and he lay it on the bed without looking at me.