Page 10 of Fired at the Heart

When he slinks in a minute later, a red lump shines brightly on his jaw, giving me a small sense of satisfaction.

“Kneel.” I point at the floor next to my feet.

Raphael’s shoulders tense, defiance tightening his frame. For a moment, I think he’ll refuse, that he’ll cling to his pride because Jade’s not really family, he’s notblood, and Raphael has already proven blood is all that matters.

But then, slowly, he sinks to his knees before me, his head bowed in submission. A ripple goes through the other Alphas in the room, but the Rockfords remain silent.

I lean forward, my hand reaching out to tilt his chin up, forcing him to look at me. “Beg.”

He swallows hard, a growl rumbling in his throat. “Please, Avery, we can’t do this without you.”

“Youneedme,” I say, relishing the words.

“Yes,” he grits out. “We—Ineed you.”

“And you were wrong,” I prod.

“Yes,” he seethes. “I was wrong.”

“Good boy.” I give him a light slap right over the lump left by my earlier punch and sit back in my chair. “Now, go sit next to your brother like a good dog.”

His muscles clench, his hand rising toward me, and my blade presses to his throat before he can complete the move.

“Do. Not. Test. Me.Again.” I press the tip of my blade hard enough to draw blood. “Or I will take action to free myself of your Mark, you pathetic, backstabbing excuse for an Alpha. Do you understand?”

Seething, he leans back and stands, returning to his chair next to Aaiden.

I initial the revision in the contract and slide it back across the table to Aaiden, who doesn’t spare a glance at his brother as he signs and initials, then returns the document to me.

With a flourish, I sign my name and stand. “Pleasure doing business with you. Once the first half is in my bank account, we’ll meet with your team and work out a strategy of attack. I expect the second half in cash upon completion of the job.”

Without acknowledging Raphael again, I turn and stride from the room, Cassian a shadow at my back.

Only after the front door closes behind us does Cassian break the silence. “I can smell him on you.”

I keep my focus on our car, still waiting at the bottom of the stairs. “No one asked.”

“Say the word,” Cassian growls, “and I’ll make sure he never bothers you again.”

I stiffen at the offer. “No. Raphael is mine to deal with.”

Cassian’s jaw clenches as he glances back toward the manor, then steps ahead and opens the car door for me. “The plan is still to kill him, though, right?”

“Oh, yes.” I drop into the passenger seat, ignoring the ache of protest from my hips. “That part of the plan hasn’t changed.”

4

“You don’t have to come inside,” I tell Cassian as I punch in the security code for my penthouse suite. “I’m tired and just planning to eat and go to bed.”

Meeting the Rockfords had left me physically and emotionally exhausted and having to deal with Cassian’s hovering is starting to get under my skin.

“I’ll leave after I make sure you actually eat.” He glares as he shoves his hands into his front pockets. “You should shower, too. Wash his stink off you.”

Fuck, maybe I should skip dinner and have a drink instead. There’s no other way I can deal with Cassian’s attitude right now.

When I shove open the door, I reconsider my decision to come home when I find myself faced with Rico, Jace, and Lena sitting in my living room.

What’s the point of top-level security if it doesn’t keep people out?

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