Page 140 of Heir of Illusion

“Because I cared about her,” I tell him, my voice thick with emotion as I stand up. “YouknewI cared about her.”

He puts his folder down, stepping around the desk to move closer to me. “Iverson, whatever has you so ups?—”

“What will you tell the God of Death?” I cut him off as I take a step back, not wanting him anywhere near me.

His eyes narrow into slits. “Don’t mention that man to me.”

His tone warns of danger ahead, but for once, I continue down my path with no care for the consequences.

“Will you agree to his terms?” I ask. “Will you remove the collar?”

“I’ll do whatever I think is best,” he says evenly.

A humorless laugh bubbles out of me. That response is soBaylor. “Were you ever planning to remove it?”

He cocks his head, observing me. “What has gotten into you, Iverson?”

My eyes roll again, this time catching his notice. “Answer the question, Baylor.”

He bristles at the disrespect in my tone, his fists balling at his sides. “If I did that, how would I keep you safe?”

“Don’t you mean caged?”

“That’s not?—”

I raise my voice as I speak over him, not wanting to listen to his grating tone. “Did you honestly believe nothing would change between us after what you did?”

“What happened with Bridgid was a mista?—”

“I’m not talking about poor Bridgid! I couldn’t give a single fuck who you take to your bed.” His eyes flare with anger, but I don’t care. I take a step closer, raising an accusatory finger at him. “I’m talking about what you did to Leona.”

He goes still. “What do you want me to say?”

“The truth. Try it, Baylor. It might even feel good.”

A dark chuckle flits through my mind. I only just started embracing honesty, and I’m already holding it over people’s heads.

“You want the truth?” he asks. “Leona was standing in my way, so I had her removed. There. Are you happy?”

A burning rage tears through me, sending sweat beading down my skin. “And what will you do to me? Will you kill me too if I get in your way?”

“Never.” He shakes his head, lifting his hands in a placating gesture as he tries to come closer. “You’re different, pet.”

“Don’t call me that!” I scream.

He stops mid-step, his face going white.

“The only difference between me and Leona is that I haven’t outlived my usefulness yet,” I seethe. “Once I do, you’ll order someone to kill me the same way you ordered Kaldar to kill her.”

Questions enter his gaze. He’s probably assigning new meaning to his advisers sudden absence.

“You don’t believe any of this,” he says gently, attempting to pacify me. “You’ve been through a lot in the past few days.”

I shake my head. “I mean every word. I don’t love you, Baylor,” I announce, giving life to a truth that’s been trapped on my tongue for a year. “I never truly did.”

Navy eyes flash crimson. His temper lashes out swiftly as he strikes my face with the back of his hand. My skin stings as the taste of blood fills my mouth.

Baylor’s eyes instantly fill with regret, shifting back to their natural blue shade. “Iverson, I didn’t?—”

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