Page 110 of Reckless King

There’s only one solution I can think of to fix this. Though just the thought cracks my chest open. I hate it with every fiber of my being, but I’m going to do it anyway.

“I don’t give a fuck,” I say, leaning back in my chair, affecting a bored expression.

Eric opens his mouth, snaps it shut, then scoffs. “Don’t bother bluffing. There’s no way a man like you wants photos of his fiancée having sex with another man spread all over the internet. With one press of a button, these will be uploaded tothousands of porn sites for millions to enjoy. Every time you’re in public, and you see the stares, and hear the whispers and laughs, you’ll know it’s because those people have seen what she looks like when she’s being fucked. And not by you.”

“No, I won’t.” I lean forward and hit him with a careless grin that tears out my fucking heart. “Because she’s not going to be seen out with me much longer.” I laugh coldly. “Our relationship is fake. And time is about up on our arrangement. In fact, if you leak these photos, you’ll be helping me out. What better reason could I have for ending our engagement?” My stomach rolls, but I keep my focus locked on him.

Eric’s face turns red, and he sputters. “I-I don’t believe you.”

With a smirk, I open the top drawer of my desk and pull out the contract. I throw it down in front of him, then lean back in my chair and lace my hands together behind my head. I keep my mouth shut as he skims the pages.

As he continues, his face goes from red to purple, then it goes ashen.

“As you can see, the end date of our agreement is in four days’ time, and I have no need to keep her around longer. So again, I don’t care what you do with those photos. And considering you just attempted to extort me, I’d suggest leaving now, before I decide to get the police involved. I doubt Senator Rawlins would be happy about bailing you out of jail.”

A muscle pulses wildly in Eric’s jaw. I have no idea what he thinks he’s doing, but there’s no doubt he’s in trouble. Maybe he has a gambling debt. Maybe he pissed off the wrong people. Whatever it is, he’s desperate.

He shoves back his chair and stands in a rush. “Come after me, and I’ll tell everyone your engagement is an act.”

I force another laugh, channeling Roman’s iciness. “I have no interest in coming after you. You took your shot, and it didn’t work out. Now, if we’re done, I have a meeting.”

His eyes narrow. “If I find out you’re screwing with me, I’ll make sure these photos get the audience they deserve.” He spins on his heel and storms from the room.

As soon as the heavy wooden door swings shut behind him, I snatch the phone from my desk. “Roman,” I bark. “I need to talk to you and Cole. Right now.”

“I’m in the middle of a meeting with?—”

“This can’t wait.” Silence fills the line between us. He’s going to tell me to fuck off, but right now, I don’t care. I need my brothers’ help. “It’s about Violet.” Those three words are full of all the anguish and fury coursing through me right now.

“Fuck,” he says. “I’ll be there in a minute.” Then he hangs up.

Cole is next. Thankfully, he’s between meetings and says he’ll come straight away.

Thirty seconds after I hang up with him, my door swings open and Roman stalks in. He stands in front of my desk, hands on hips. “What’s the problem?”

I scrub my hand over my face. “Wait for Cole. I only want to say this once.”

He studies my face, brows pulled low, then jerks his chin and settles into one of the chairs.

A moment later, Cole walks in wearing a frown. “What’s going on?”

“Sit down,” I tell him.

He raises his brows but doesn’t argue.

As soon as they’re sitting, I’m on my feet, pacing the room. The cyclone of rage I’ve been suppressing is tearing through me, fighting to be released. “Violet’s ex was just here. He tried to extort me by threatening to release private photos he took of her when they were together.”

Roman frowns and leans forward, his elbows on his knees. “How private?”

“As private as they get. And from the look of them, she didn’t know he was taking them.” Even now, the thought of Eric having those photos on his phone, of how he abused Violet’s trust so reprehensibly, has my blood pressure spiking.

“Fucker,” Cole swears. “What did you tell him?”

The nausea that hits me is so intense I worry I’ll vomit. “That I didn’t care. That our engagement was a lie and about to end anyway.”

Cole nods, a thoughtful look on his face. “You managed the narrative.”

I choke back my self-loathing. “And I’ve never felt dirtier.”

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