Page 81 of Empress of Ruin
“It’s a business arrangement,” he says flatly. “But it’s one she might be rather… hesitant to enter. She loves and trusts you.” He gives a scoff that explains just how much he values those two sentiments. “Convince her it’s a good idea.”
“I can’t do that,” I say, shaking my head. Marrying Carter Black isnota good idea foranyone.He’s fuckingmafia. More, it sounds like he plays around between various mafias. He’s probably one of the most dangerous men in the world, and that’s coming fromme,who’s engaged to Killian fucking King.
“Of course you can. You just don’twantto. Fine difference between the two.”
“Why the hell would you want to marry Annalise?” She’s beautiful, smart, enigmatic, and a total catch, but that doesn’t explain Carter’s interest in her. He couldliterallyhave any girl in the world—I can’t understand what Anna’s appeal is.
“My reasons are my own, and they’re substantial. The arrangement would be mutually beneficial for a host of reasons. She’s simply reluctant given my reputation.”
“Rightfully so,” I say with feeling. “I… I can’t.”
“Then you can enjoy watching your fiancée get a nice bullet hole between his eyes during the tribunal. Silas has been working hard against him—his case is flourishing.” The phone rustles as if he’s going to hang up.
“Wait!” I yell, panic gripping me. “Wait.”
“You have thirty seconds to decide,” Carter says blandly.
Shit, shit, shit.If Carter treats Annalise anything like Killian treated me in the beginning… “Are you… hurting her?”
“Not in any way she doesn’t like.”
I grimace, but that tracks. “I need your word.”
“What makes you think I’ll keep it? I’m not exactly known to be a man of honor.”
Honestly? Nothing. There’s absolutely nothing that could convince me that Carter is a man of his word. My only real option is to pray that he sticks to it. But…
He has some sort of fixation on Anna. Maybe that’s enough to keep him to his word. But that isn’t enough, is it? I need something else… something more.
Something like what I uncovered about his hostile takeover that led to his development of his big legitimate imports and exports company. Some other evidence that could get him in deep shit…
“If you don’t, I will use every inch of what I’ve learned from my years as an investigative journalist to dig into you. Your financials, specifically. Iwillfind what everyone else has missed, I will compile it into a report, and then I’ll send it to the IRS, SEC, FBI, and everyone else that can make your life a living hell. And I’ll start with Castell Luxury Group. More specifically, the pieces of Harbor & Hale Luxury Transit that you used to form Castell Luxury Group—after taking over Harbor & Hale through threats and coercion.That’swhat I’ll do, Carter.”
I’m breathing hard, practically panting into the phone. I need this asshole’s help, but I can’t put Anna’s neck on the line. Our friendship might be strained right now, but foryears, she was my best friend. Still is—we just have to find time to really reconnect. I have to do my best to protect her.
“Do you have any idea how lucky you are to belong to Killian King?” Carter queries. “Because if you didn’t, you’d be dead for the threats you just made.”
“You have my offer. You do me a favor, I do you that favor, and I have my leverage to keep you from hurting my best friend. If the terms aren’t acceptable, go fuck yourself.”
Carter releases a long-suffering sigh. “I think I get Killian’s obsession,” he comments. “You and Anna have a very similar spark, did you know that? So fiery. So willing to draw your swords and fight to the death.” He clicks his tongue. “I accept your terms. I’ll let you know when it’s time for you to deliver on your end of the favor. I’ll have what you need by the tribunal. I’ll deliver it to Killian then.”
I give my head a shake. “You’re going tobe there?”
“Got a special invite from Crow—you know her as Raegan. Have a shitty week, Lyra.”
He hangs up the phone.
I lower it from my ear, praying I made the right decision.
The days fly by. I hover by my phone, praying to hear something from Carter, and whenever Killian’s home, I gravitate towards him. I’ve become a clingy version of myself I barely recognize, one who looks for the man who was once my tormentor whenever he’s home and misses him when he’s not.
It’s… bizarre. A few weeks ago, I would’ve laughed at the notion of me caring for Killian, but knowing there’s a chance he’s going to die makes me realize that I do care—deeply. I spent so long resisting him, and it was only the night that he let me film the video of him that I let myself recognize my feelings for him. Feelings that I think might’ve even been building before I left. Before…everything.
How twisted am I to gravitate towards this man?
“Penny for your thoughts?” Killian murmurs, coming out of the bathroom. He’s freshly showered, having just gotten through with fucking me into a puddle, and I’m laying on my front, giving my burning ass a break.
“Worried about tomorrow,” I murmur. Tomorrow’s the day. The tribunal. A car’s coming for Killian in the morning; if it goes well, he’ll be back at some point. If it doesn’t, as I understand it, I’ll be ushered out of the country on his private jet.
