Page 15 of Cruel Dominion

I reached for a glass of champagne from a passing tray, swallowing down the dry tang of it to quench the burn in my throat and douse the fire in my stomach. I had six years’ worth of things to say to her.

The crowd parted for me as I stalked toward them.

“Hudson,” I said in greeting. “How good to see you.”

The whole family could obviously hear the venom in my words, because Hudson’s practiced smile went flat. The blood drained from Anna’s already pale face. Only Michelle was able to keep her smile, probably thanks to the vodka martini in her hand. I doubted it was her first.

“Carter,” she said, extending her manicured hand. “Thank you for your generous donation.”

That’s right—she was on the board for the Yates Foundation, perfect society wife that she was.

“I’m happy to give to a good cause,” I said, bowing my head. “Hudson, you’re looking well.”

Unfortunately, that much was true. Whatever deal he’d struck with the devil had given him a handsome, vibrant exterior, no matter how decayed he was on the inside.

Hudson only answered me with a polite nod. Just as well—even hearing his voice made my skin prickle with fury.

Them out of the way, I let my eyes fall to her and only her, willing her to meet my gaze as she curled her hands into the silky fabric of her gown at her sides, clenching enough to leave angry creases as her knuckles turned white.

“Anna,” I said, my voice low and rough, “It’s been a long time.”

Her jewel-bright eyes lifted to mine, and for a moment, it was like we were right back there on the beach, her dark hair loose and textured with salt, her perfect skin wiped clear of make-up. An electric charge transferred between us without even having to touch.

Then she blinked, and we were back in the moment, with her painted-on face and hair perfectly highlighted and coiffed. I could see how time had changed her. Anna had always looked thoughtful, almost mournful. Her face was slimmer and more angular now, all her baby fat gone. The smooth lines of her jaw, cheeks, and nose were so familiar to me but I ached to trace them with my hands again. To relearn every inch of her.

Then to rip away every false piece, every stupid society air and expensive product, until she was left bared to me.

Anna’s eyes widened, and I saw a flash of real fear in them.

Good. She should be scared of who I am now.

Without another word, without even acknowledging me, she spun on her heel and walked into the crowd. My fist clenched as I watched her flee.

“You’ll excuse us, won’t you, Carter?” Hudson said, not bothering to hide his smugness. “I should say hello to the hosts. Do enjoy the event.”

It took everything in me not to yank him back by his hair plugs and break his jaw.

He strolled away, leaving Michelle and me standing together. I had nothing to say to the woman who stood by while her husband tried to shove Anna into a mold of perfection she would never fit into. As far as I was concerned, Michelle Vaughn was a shell of a person, content to be a pawn in someone else’s game. Not worthy of my time. Yet, I couldn’t walk away from her.

Mostly because I didn’t trust myself to move until Hudson was further out of reach.

“You really are looking well, Carter,” she said in a soft tone. “You’ve obviously made something of yourself since you and Anna were friends. I’ve never seen a business empire rise so quickly.”

I could barely conceal my surprise. Based on what Anna had told me and what I’d witnessed myself at past events, Mrs. Vaughn took too many pills to notice what was going on in her life. I didn’t think she had any idea I existed six years ago, much less that I knew her daughter. Maybe Michelle Vaughn was a more useful source of information than I thought.

“So, Anna’s back.” I took another glass of champagne from a passing tray and forced myself to sip it like a normal person.

“Ah, yes. Anna was working on housing development in Southern Africa for the past few years.”

The same bullshit story. I raised a questioning brow, but Michelle didn’t cave. She just smiled and said, “We’re happy to have her back. I hope you two get the opportunity to catch up.”

I barely stopped myself from laughing out loud. No doubt Michelle wanted me as far away as possible from her little princess, just like her husband did.

“We will,” I said, the promise sounding more like a threat as I stalked into the crowd.

I wasn’t letting Anna go again.

Not when I’d finally gotten close enough to taste her.

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