Page 169 of Dance of Deception

I gasp, sucking in a breath. But then anger rises—burning through the fear and betrayal, through everything.

I lift my chin, matching his fire with my own.

“You used me,” I spit venomously. “Didn’t you.”

Carmine’s eyes flicker, darkness flashing across his face before rage slams back into place.

“What?”

“YOU. USED. ME!” I scream, my pulse roaring like napalm in my veins. “The whole reason you got close to me?! Youmarriedme?! It was all because?—?”

“I seem to rememberyoubarging your way into that audition!” he snarls.

“But thenyoucame tome!” I shriek, my voice almost breaking. “And now I find out it was all because of him?! Because of my fuckingfather?!”

His eyes are black fire. “That’s bullshit.”

“Funny,” I laugh, but it comes out broken. “Because I just read your little fucking meeting notes on your laptop. The ones where your precious Black Court was trying toget closeto Arkadi’s daughter. Trying to see if I could be anasset.”

“Lyra…” His voice is low, tight, like he’s trying to hold back a hurricane.

I shove at his chest, my blood roaring in my ears. “Tell me it’s not true! Fuckingtell me!”

His jaw clenches so tight I swear it's going to break.

“It’s not like that.”

My stomach twists. I want to believe him. But how the fuck can I?

“Then tell me what itislike.” My voice shakes, but I hold his gaze, unflinching. “Tell me what the fuck I was to you in the beginning.”

His nostrils flare. His hands flex against the wood on either side of my head.

But he doesn’t respond.

And that’s my answer.

I shove him again, my voice breaking. “Fuck you.”

“I see how it is,” Carmine purrs dangerously. His lips curl into a snarl, his body pressing harder against mine. “I’m the villain suddenly. I’m the monster.” His hand snaps out, gripping my jaw, jerking my face up to his. “But what the fuck aboutyou, Lyra? What were you snooping for just now?”

My stomach lurches and I try to twist away, but he tightens his hold.

“What the fuck were you doing?” he demands. “Spying on me?”

I glare up at him, my heart slamming so hard it might burst.

“I was just trying to understand who the hell I married.”

His laugh is sharp and mocking. “Bullshit.”

I try to escape again, but he doesn’t budge.

“Tell me,wife.” His voice turns dark, dangerous, hypnotic. “Who thefuckare you working for?”

My pulse arrests.

“What?”

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