Page 99 of Silk and Sirens

“Out,” Selene snapped without sparing him a glance, and the door shut immediately.

Vivienne’s head had whipped sideways from the force of the slap, but slowly she looked back at her mother, one hand pressed against her reddening cheek.

“What the fuck were you thinking?” Selene snapped.

“I was thinking of us, Mother,” Vivienne shot back, straightening her shoulders. “Of this ridiculous wedding you’re so obsessed with.”

“You drugged a man connected to one of the most dangerous crime lords in the city,” Selene said coldly. “And worse, a man more than capable of destroying us all in his own right.”

“He was never going to marry me willingly.”

“Well,” Selene agreed, “he certainly won’t now.”

I stayed perfectly still as she moved towards the windows overlooking the ocean below.

Vivienne’s jaw tightened, her eyes flicking towards me with venom. “This wouldn’t have happened if Aeris had stayed out of it.”

“No,” Selene said, not even bothering to turn around. “You would have likely killed him. Then you’d have had to settle for the mute.”

Vivienne gave me one last glare before she turned on her heel, leaving me alone with Selene.

“I’m happy you’re here,” she said after a moment, her gaze still fixed on the view below. “I would’ve assumed they’d have killed you.”

“Have I ever failed you?” I moved to the window beside her, following her line of sight down to the narrow strip of private beach tucked against the jagged cliff. Stone steps clung to the rockface from the edge of the deck, descending steeply towards the sand and angry sea. “Your plan worked. They believed everything.”

Selene’s upper lip curved on one side. “You’ve gained their trust?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” The words tasted like ash on my tongue. “Sebastian had me tied up. Caden’s the one that freed me.”

“Did he, now?” Something glinted in her eyes as she reached up and brushed a lock of hair from my face with false tenderness. “Wonderful what a sob story and pretty face can do. I’ll assume you had to spread your legs.”

I ignored her comment. “You do understand that Vivienne’s burned that bridge.”

“Don’t worry, Vivienne will marry Caden.” She cocked her head, her smile turning sharp. “But you’ll have to continue doing whatever he asks.”

I kept my expression neutral. “I thought you forbade me from seducing him once Vivienne was in?”

“That was before she let her impatience ruin everything we’ve put into place.”

“I doubt he’ll marry her.”

“Like we’re going to give him a choice?” Cupping my jaw, she turned my face towards hers. “You will warm his bed, become his whore, his toy—I don’t care, as long as we secure the alliance.”

My stomach twisted. “You’d want me to become the mistress?”

“Whatever is necessary,” she said coldly, her nails digging into my skin.

“Caden doesn’t even like me,” I protested, my voice cracking. “Like you said, I’m just his toy. He’ll get bored soon enough.”

“My dear, sweet child. Caden Ackworth is notorious for permanently fixing problems. The fact that you’re still alive … still standing here … means far more than you could ever understand.”

“Vivienne isn’t going to agree.”

“Vivienne will do as she’s told.” Selene let out a soft, amused laugh that sent chills down my spine. “Just like you.”

“Are you sure about this?” Fletcher asked, his brows drawn together as he handed me over a folder full of everything I’d asked him to create. New names. Driving licence and passports. Everything that I’d need to give my sisters and nephews a new life.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I embraced the wind whispering through my hair. The chirping birds in the trees and the laughter drifting from the park, bright and careless.