Page 113 of Master of My Life

“I like nice things.”

“Again, likely, but you’re not that shallow.”

Sydney continued to stare at the ceiling. “Men are dicks.”

Damian laughed. “So . . . revenge?”

She sat up on her hip and glared at him. “What’s wrong with revenge?”

He sat back. “Absolutely nothing. I’m a fan of it myself.” He smiled. “Who wronged you?”

She sighed and lay back. “I fell hard for a guy at school, but he said he wasn’t the marrying type.

No biggie.” She crossed her legs at her ankles. “He was the leader of our class and well-connected.

Helped me get the job I wanted after graduation. Ended up working for some of the most powerful

men in the country.” She clenched her jaw. “All of them were supposed to be good guys. Good

reputation and all. But they weren’t.” She sat up again. “Our whole system is corrupt. I couldn’t be a

part of it anymore. Couldn’t pretend it was what I thought it was growing up.” She rolled her eyes.

“So, I play by my own rules and don’t get taken advantage of. When everything fails—and it will fail

—I’ll be on my own private island somewhere, safe from the fallout.”

Damian watched the emotions flit across her face as she spoke. She tried to play down that the

first guy had anything to do with the rest of her story, but it was clear she suffered from a severe case

of a broken heart. “You’re rather bitter for someone your age.”

“But I’m good at my job.”

“You failed me.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I did as you instructed,” she snapped. “He shouldn’t have been able to

escape. Not with the shit you gave me.”

She was right, but he wouldn’t tell her that. “Who was this man who broke your heart?”

“Who says he broke my heart?”

Damian arched a brow. “He has nothing to do with the story of your turning mercenary, yet you

brought him up.”

“He got me that first job.”

“You think he did it to hurt you?”

“All men are dicks.”

Damian chuckled. “Who was he?”

“His name was Chase Ralston,” she said softly.

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