Page 227 of Pretty Little Lies

Top it all off, Ramsey obviously believes that, since I’m a woman, I wouldn’t be capable of such a feat.

“We still haven’t spoken about the Titan seat,” I convey, watching Ramsey closely to see how he reacts.

He doesn’t, which kind of pisses me off.

I’m having a really hard time reading him. I don’t know if he’s more diabolical and plans things out before he reacts or if he’s a loose cannon, just like his brother.

And me.

“I’m open to discussing it,” Ramsey conveys. “Nonetheless, youarea Wildes by blood, and I’m not so power-hungry as to take it from you. I have my own plans.”

“Such as?”

“You don’t trust me as much as I trust you. However, I’ll offer an olive branch so that you’re not walking in blind since I already know two ways that you’d use this Titan seat, and I can’t say that I’m not curious about either how smart or stupid you are.”

“Same,” I deadpan, because he’s already taken a few subtle jabs at me without pushing the bar to where Emilio would need to open his mouth.

And, he’s right.

There are only two ways.

Either I bring The Landings and South Shore together. Or I have Emilio and Ramsey stripped away before I do the latter.

“I’m using The Void to open up international trade with guns,” he states freely. “If you take the Titan seat, the Foresaken Crew is yours. However, that’d be something you’d have to discuss with Cairo. After you destroyed my brother, that might take some negotiating.”

Ouch.

However, that would need to happen.

“If you went the route of reuniting South Shore and The Landings. I don’t see a problem with that. It’s about time, but it’ll be hard work.”

“While your brother is over the Forsaken Crew and you’re marrying me, do you feel safe without them?”

Because, from my understanding, The Void isn’t that large yet. And if I can get Cairo to side with me, it leaves Emilio and Ramsey vulnerable.

“That’s where I’d like to see if your stupid comes in,” Ramsey replies. “However, Torin wouldn’t turn against me. He doesn’t have the balls.”

“Don’t I, brother?”

Mother of all hell on Earth.

Torin strides through the room with a power that only affects me in the room. Emilio and Ramsey don’t seem to give a flying shit that he’s present, but I do. His light gold eyes lock onto me like a vice and he squeezes.

Hard.

My breathing hitches in turn to that steel and sweeping glimpse. Every piece of the last seventy-two hours has been nothing but difficult, heartbreaking, and gut-wrenching. I was falling in love with him, and he admitted it.

Yet, I don’t know that he knows the meaning of the word.

Not after everything he’s done.

But, with both of us grieving, I’m not sure he and I are ever going to be able to reach a middle ground. A place to heal together.

Because hetookfrom me for no fucking reason at all.

And I hate him for that.

Torin would’ve been my comfort space. Someone who could’ve held my hand through the trauma of having to bury my dad. To tell me that it was going to be okay, that he’s got me through all the emotional and mental turmoil.

---