Page 5 of Say You're Mine

He never told me the details, never fully let me in. But I know enough to understand that his past is a twisted, tangled web, full of pain and betrayal.

And at the center of it all, like a venomous spider spinning her poisonous threads, is his mother.

Elaine Deveaux. The name tastes bitter and acrid on my tongue. She's the key to all of this, the puppet master pulling the strings behind the scenes.

I've only met her once, at a gala where June was being honored for his work. She was all icy smiles and poisoned honey, her gaze sharp and assessing as it raked over me, taking in every flaw, every weakness.

I remember the way June tensed at her approach, the way his hand tightened around mine until my fingers ached. The way he seemed to shrink in her presence, reverting to a scared little boy desperate for approval from his mama.

It made me sick, the hold she had over him. The way she twisted his love, his loyalty, into something dark and toxic.

But no more. I won't let her destroy him, won't let Elaine sink her claws in any deeper.

The cab slows to a stop, jolting me from my thoughts. I hand the driver a wad of bills, not bothering to wait for change as I slide out onto the sidewalk.

The building looms before me, all sleek glass and cold steel. The Deveaux empire, a monument to wealth and power.

But beneath the polished veneer, I know the truth. The rot, the corruption, the festering darkness that eats away at the very foundation.

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I approach the entrance. The doorman eyes me warily, his hand resting on the holster at his hip.

But I ignore him my heart hammering against my ribs as I walk past his imposing figure; and into the sleek, modern space. Every inch is gleaming marble and cold steel, a contrasting the churning emotions that roil within my uneasy stomach.

I approach the reception desk, my steps faltering as the weight of what I'm about to do settles over me like a leaden cloak. The woman behind the desk looks up, her perfectly manicured brows arching in a silent question.

"I'm here to see Elaine Deveaux," I say, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears. "It's urgent."

The receptionist's gaze flickers over me, taking in my rumpled clothes and red-rimmed eyes. I can practically see the judgment in her stare, the unspoken assumption that I don't belong in this world of wealth and power.

But I refuse to be cowed. Not now, not when June's life hangs in the balance.

"Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asks, her tone clipped and professional.

"No," I admit, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. "But she'll want to see me. Trust me."

The woman hesitates, her perfectly glossed lips pursing in a frown. But then, with a sigh of resignation, she picks up the phone and dials an extension.

"Ms. Deveaux? There's a young woman here to see you. She says it's urgent."

A pause, then a muffled response from the other end of the line. The receptionist's eyes widen, her mouth falling open in a silent "oh."

"Yes, of course. I'll send her right up."

She hangs up the phone, her gaze snapping back to mine. "Top floor, last door on the right. Ms. Deveaux is expecting you."

I nod, my stomach clenching with a mixture of dread and determination. This is it. The moment of truth.

The elevator ride seems to last an eternity, the muted ding of each passing floor a countdown to my inevitable confrontation. When the doors finally slide open, revealing a long, dimly lit hallway, I have to force myself to step out, my legs feeling like they've turned to lead.

I make my way down the hall, my heart pounding in my ears. The door at the end looms like a portal to another world, a world I'm not sure I'm ready to face.

But I have to. For June. For our child.

With a deep, steadying breath, I raise my hand and knock.

"Come in." The voice that answers is cool and clipped, a blade wrapped in silk.

I push open the door, stepping into a spacious office that practically screams power and privilege. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking view of the city skyline, while sleek, modern furniture and priceless works of art adorn the space.

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