Page 107 of Shattered Throne
"It's the truth, isn't it? You're a coward."
The grin faltered. Just for a second, something cold flashed across Cole's face before the mask slid back into place.
"I didn't abandon my responsibilities," he said, his voice silky. "I have none. Kim was just a toy to me. Something to pass the time." He examined his fingernails, deliberately casual. "And that child? Please. I'm not even sure it's mine."
I was on my feet before I knew I was moving. My fists clenched at my sides, every muscle in my body screaming to finish what I'd started in Kim's hallway.
Part of me, the smart part, the part running the con, screamed to stay calm. The rest of me didn't give a damn.
“Say that one more time,” I heard myself growl, “and I'll?—”
"And what?" Cole looked up at me, utterly unruffled. "You'll hit me again? Come on, Xavier. You should be smarter than that. Do you really want to add a lawsuit to your current problems?" He laughed, a sound like glass breaking. "But then, you never were the sharpest tool in the shed, were you?"
I didn't respond. Just stood there, fists shaking, jaw clenched so tight my teeth ached.
Cole's laugh deepened. "Tell me the truth. You never saw this coming, did you? Not for a second."
Silence. I couldn't trust my voice.
"That's rich." Cole leaned back, savoring the moment. "Business 101, Xavier. Don't ever sign a contract without reading it. I added that clause after our lawyers had finished their review. Swapping in a different copy was child's play." His eyes glittered with malicious delight. "You were such a mess that day. Running after Kim like a lovesick puppy. You had no idea you weren't signing the contract your secretary had prepared."
He laughed again, shaking his head.
"Damn. I knew you were stupid, but not that stupid. You didn't even bother to read it. Didn't take your lawyer's advice." He wagged a finger at me. "Always take your lawyer's advice, Xavier. Lesson learned."
I let the silence stretch. Let him sit there, gloating, savoring his victory.
Then I smiled.
Cole's expression flickered. The first crack in his confidence.
I straightened my jacket. Adjusted my cuffs. Settled back into my chair with deliberate calm.
"And what advice," I said slowly, "would your lawyer give you if he heard everything you just said?"
Cole's grin froze. His eyes narrowed, darting around my office—to the corners, the bookshelves, the desk. Looking for something. A camera. A recording device.
"What are you playing at, Dubois?"
I kept my face neutral. Bored.
"Playing?" I tilted my head. "I'm not playing anything. Just making conversation."
But something had shifted in Cole's posture. The lazy confidence was gone, replaced by a coiled tension. He leaned forward, studying me with new intensity.
"You're too calm," he said slowly. "You were ready to hit me thirty seconds ago, and now you're sitting there like you've won something." His jaw tightened. "What did you do?"
Shit. Shit, shit, shit.
I kept my smile in place, barely, but my pulse was climbing. He was sharper than I'd given him credit for. Which, considering I'd given him credit for approximately nothing, wasn't saying much.
But still. Another few seconds and he'd figure it out, demand to search the room, call the whole thing off?—
The office door opened.
Sebastian stepped inside, phone in hand. His face was carved from stone, but his eyes burned with cold fury.
"Think again."
