Page 65 of A Vicious Love

Ownership as violence.

“I need to know what’s attached to her name,” I said.

“No.”

“Grandfather.”

His eyes sharpened.

I had not called him that with respect.

I had called him that like a warning.

He did not mind. Damius Crow enjoyed warnings from descendants. He saw them as proof the line had not gone entirely weak.

“You will learn what is attached to Sienna Bellemere when you stop treating her as an inconvenience you can summon for photographs.”

My mouth curled. “You’ve developed a sudden affection for her?”

“No.”

“Then what?”

“She interests me.”

Every muscle in my body locked. What. The. Fuck.

Damius turned from the window.

“She is frightened and still honest enough to answer a question.”

The world narrowed…I stared at him. Putting the pieces together now.

“You spoke to her.”

“Yes.”

“In Harlan.”

“Yes.”

Something violent and black opened in my chest.

Sienna between practices with a good open heart she kept offering to people who did not deserve it.

Damius beside her, asking questions… and watching.

“Stay away from her.”

“There is my grandson.”

The compliment felt was poison. He only said it when he saw himself reflected back.

I stepped closer. “I mean it.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.”