Page 108 of Tempting God

“What do you want?”

“From you? Not a damn thing. This is between me and your husband.”

I glance at the security camera in the corner of the room, praying like hell that someone is watching the feed.

“Are you the one who broke into Brooks’ house?”

He snorts. “What do you think?”

“Why?”

“You know your husband is in the Defiant God Brotherhood, right?”

I dip my head.

“Then you know what this is about.”

I say, “Women don’t generally know the business of the Brotherhood.”

“Don’t fucking play games with me. You were a Blanc before you married that piece of shit. You likely know more about the Brotherhood than most members.” He waves the gun as he speaks. “But I bet you didn’t know that I wanted to marry you, did you?”

“What?”

“It’s true. I asked for a marriage contract when you were a child, but both your father and grandfather told me you were promised to someone else. That’s when I knew that I’d have to keep my eye on Grant Carter.” He continues, “I asked again when you were twenty-four. This time, it was your cousin who said no. He told me you had a higher purpose than becoming the wife of a senator.”

I truly did not know that this man wanted to marry me. I shudder to think of who else asked for my hand over the years.

“But then Blanc comes to me with a plan. A plan where I will finally upstage Carter and win the White House at the same time.” He closes his eyes. “But you had to go and ruin everything by marrying Carter. Not only that, but it seems you actually fell in love with the man.”

“You do know that Charles is the one who forced Grant and I to get married, right? How is that my fault?”

His gaze snaps to mine.

“You were supposed to fight him! But you couldn’t, could you? Because, according to my sources, you were already fucking around with him.” He scoffs. “And now the two of you are America’s newest obsession.”

“Again, how is that my fault?”

“Careful, Mrs. Carter. I’m the one with a gun, and you have a child to protect.” His gaze goes to my stomach. “I hear it’s a little girl. Is that why Carter fought so hard to change Rule 84?”

My pulse thrums in my neck, and I force myself to remain calm.

“Mr. Ryans, I think you should leave. Now.”

“Why would I do that? I still need to speak to your husband.” He smiles. “Give him a little warning, you see.”

A little warning? What kind of warning is he going to send by having a gun? Every instinct in my body tells me I should flee. That feeling is confirmed when Ryans looks at me, as if he’s studying me.

“The American public will sympathize with Carter once you’re gone, but you and I know the truth. He won’t have the heart to continue the Presidential race.” He points the gun at me. “Now, I’m going to need you to stand right over there.”

“Walt, you don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I do. Now, move. Otherwise, someone is going to have a much larger mess to clean up.”

Slowly, I stand. Time slows as I walk to the spot he’s pointing at. It’s in front of a window with nothing around. A laugh bubbles up my throat. Because he’s right. There won’t be much of a mess to clean up over here. I guess I should be glad about that. But I’m not. The laughter quickly turns into anger. Rage, even.

This isn’t fair. Yet again, I’m being punished for something that I never asked to be a part of. Only, this time, it’s not just me. My baby’s life is at risk, too.

I’m fucking done with being a pawn.

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