Page 91 of Ruthless God

“I said no.”

Well, crap.

I swallow hard, stealing a glance at Agnes. The men are using some kind of tool to lift the casket from the earth, gears grinding, metal groaning under the weight.

Time is running out.

My pulse kicks up, and without giving myself time to second-guess, I tighten my grip on Claudius’ arm and let my body sway.

“I’m… I’m not feeling so well.”

His attention snaps to me, the hardness in his eyes giving way just for a second to concern. But before he can fully react, a loud, jarring sound shatters the air.

We both turn.

The casket now rests beside the grave, its once pristine golden exterior tarnished with dirt and time.

The sight of it sends a chill through me.

And from the way Claudius’ entire body tenses beside me, I know whatever comes next will break him.

One man steps forward, hesitant. “Do we have your permission to bring the flatbed truck over? It may leave tracks in the grass, but it’s the only way to get the casket to the helipad.”

Claudius dips his head in agreement. “That’s fine, but I want you to open it before you move it.”

A pause.

“Sir?”

Claudius’ expression remains unreadable. “You heard me.”

The two men exchange a quick, uneasy look. Clearly, they hadn’t expected this request.

The other man clears his throat. “Sir, it’s not recommended?—”

“I don’t give a fuck what’s recommended. Open it.”

The demand hangs heavy in the air, the finality in his tone cutting through any argument before it can begin.

Agnes steps forward, touching his arm, her voice edged with quiet urgency. “Mr. Irons, listen to these men. Opening it?—”

“For fuck’s sake. I’ll do it myself.”

He shakes off her hold and strides forward, every step radiating purpose.

The men step aside instinctively, as if they already know that arguing with him is pointless.

He stops at the casket.

Just for a second.

A brief hesitation that’s barely noticeable.

Agnes turns to me, her eyes pleading, shaking her head just slightly. Begging me to stop him.

“Claudius—”

He turns at the sound of his name, our gazes locking.

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