Page 168 of Brutal Heir

As the men at the table rose in unison, the guards stepped aside, allowing a tight column of security to enter. Each man carried two attaché cases, their movements precise, choreographed. They filed to the far side of the room and settled onto padded benches.

The guards unlocked the cases.

Black velvet boxes spilled open, revealing rough-cut diamonds of varying sizes, spread meticulously over white parchment paper.

The men reached into their pockets, producing jeweler’s loupes, pretending to inspect the stones.

But it was just for show. A ritual. None of them had the power to refuse or exchange what they were given.

They got what they got and liked it.

That was the way of it with the diamond cartel.

There was no refusing the House of Diamanti.

I dug my fingers into the back of a chair as dizziness threatened to drop me.

Sebastian stepped behind me.

His hand shifted from my hip to just below my breast.

“If you don’t smile,” he murmured, “these men will think you’re not pleased to be the future Mrs. Diamanti.”

Through clenched teeth, I rasped, “I’m not pleased. Funny, I don’t recall you asking me to marry you.”

Behind the safety of the polished black stone table, Sebastian’s warm palm slid along my thigh, lifting the hem of my dress.

“Why bother asking?” he said silkily. “Your answer is yes.”

I clutched at the fabric, yanking it back into place. “My answer is no.”

His hand shifted, cupping my ass. He squeezed, his fingertips pressing into my flesh—just enough to hurt.

“Don’t be so sure of that, sweetheart.”

Then he pushed his hips against me.

The rigid press of his arousal sent a fresh jolt of panic through me.

Another silent, unspoken threat.

Heat licked up my cheeks as I stared across the room at the gathered men, oblivious to what was happening beneath their noses.

In a sudden burst of defiance, I tore away from him. “I’m done. I’m leaving. I’ll be on the first flight back to New York.”

Sebastian lunged⁠—

But I was faster.

I bolted through the double doors, racing for my office like the devil himself bit at my heels.

CHAPTER 45

SEBASTIAN

She’d locked her office door.

A minor inconvenience.