Page 90 of Theirs to Corrupt

My mind spins back to Link’s pseudothreat to spank me. I’d told myself he must have been kidding.

But what if he wasn’t?

No doubt he’s attended in the past.

But will he want to go in the future? With me?

Butterflies—nerves unlike any I’ve ever experienced—dance through me.

Next I’m reintroduced to Dorian Vale. His billion-dollar smile is disarming, but there’s a calculated gleam in his eyes that speaks of ambition beyond mere wealth.

“Tessa, it’s a pleasure to spend more than fifteen seconds with you.” In contrast to Altair, his handshake is warm but very firm, radiating power. “I see why you enchanted the notorious Lincoln.”

He releases me, the gemstones in his ring flash, and I take a second look.

If I’m not mistaken, the design on the front is an owl, and the stones for its eyes are emeralds. According toScandalicious,that’s the symbol of the Zeta Society whose members are known as Titans.

A coincidence?

“Your husband is the only man I know who is more cutthroat than Vale,” Altair tells me.

Dorian flashes a lethal smile, a predator’s warning poorly disguised as charm.

Link introduces Brennan West, who I am sure did not come through the receiving line.

The man exudes an air of barely leashed danger. A jagged scar runs from his left temple to his jaw. But it’s his eyes that truly unsettle me—steel gray and penetrating, as if he can see right through me to every secret I’ve ever kept.

Though he’s not at all like the man my brother tried to sell me to, he terrifies me just the same.

“Mrs. Merritt,” he says, his voice a low growl that sends goose bumps racing across my skin. When he takes my hand, I have to resist the urge to pull away. His grip is neither too tight nor lingering, but I’m glad when he releases me.

“Brennan’s been instrumental in some of our more…delicate business matters,” Pax explains.

Pax is menacing enough. I can’t imagine a situation where they’d need to call on someone even more cutthroat.

I force a smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. West.”

“Brennan,” he corrects. “I don’t stand on formality.”

“I’m glad you joined us,” Altair says. “I’m trying to convince Vale to run for governor or the senate.”

It takes no imagination to picture Dorian in such a position of power. He wears authority as easily as his impeccably tailored suit.

“That’ll cost tens of millions of dollars,” Pax muses.

Altair nods. “He can self-fund.”

“Always an advantage,” Link adds, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp.

“There are many of us poised to contribute,” Altair states.

These men, this inner circle, wield influence far beyond what I’d imagined. How can it be possible this kind of conversation is happening at my wedding reception?

“There are…issues in my past.”

“That’s what fixers are for,” Altair counters, and my gaze is drawn back to Brennan, who has responded with a nod.

I wonder just how many secrets this man has buried.

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