Page 132 of Cruel Dominion

I stopped biting my lip.

“Because she sent the portfolio to half the art galleries in the country.”

His gaze darkened. “And?”

“And at least seven of them want me to exhibit.”

He softened, and I realized he was probably readying himself to systematically dismantle half the art galleries in the country if they’d all said no.

“Of course, they did. You’re brilliant, my little liren. It was only a matter of time before the whole world saw it.”

I chuckled as he pressed a hot kiss to my temple.

“Just one problem,” he added, nuzzling me with a little growl. “I don’t like sharing.”

30

CARTER

Anna came into the home office with a smile on her face. She’d never looked like that after a visit with her family.

“I assume it went well?”

“Better than that.”

She came around to my side of the desk and perched on the edge. “Mom got sober while I was gone. Apparently, she’s been plotting to divorce Dad and ruin his life for years. Since shortly after I left home, actually.”

“Smart woman. Can’t say I saw that one coming.”

After Anna left, I’d reached out to my political contacts to find out how badly Hudson Vaughn was screwed. They reassured me that if he didn’t resign, he would definitely face impeachment. His party had already disowned him, and I doubted he would ever be elected to a political office again. He would retire in indignity, while Michelle enjoyed the majority of his fortune.

I really couldn’t have fucked him over better myself. As much as I wanted to hurt him, I was glad it was her. If I ever did to Anna what he did to Michelle, I hoped she would have the strength to do worse to me.

I pulled her onto my lap in the chair and she chuckled, looking over my face as if trying to decide something. It was the same look I’d been getting from her for weeks.

This was as far as we went. Close but not close enough.

I was dying to touch her. To taste her.

But beneath that, I was just so fucking relieved she decided to stay.

“What is it?” I asked quietly. “What are you looking for?”

She thought for a moment. “I’m not sure. Maybe the other part of you.”

I held her stare. “What part?”

“The dark part. The one that…hurts people.”

“Have you found it?”

“I’m not sure I’d recognize it if I did.”

I let out a long breath. “Well, it’s there. There is a darkness in me, Anna. You’ve seen it for yourself. I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t exist.”

She chewed on the inside of her cheek.

“But let me ask you this; have you ever been afraid of me? Afraid that I might do anything to hurt you?”

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