Page 129 of Cruel Devotion

Duck looked away. “Sorry.”

Hu spoke, “She has earned my trust and this morning. . .this moment. . .she's really impressed me.”

“Thank you, Chen and Hu.” Monique smiled.

Duck remained silent for a moment before nodding as well. “I've seen Monique in action. She's got what it takes to stand with us, and I really like having her around. . .if she wants a more secure role with us then I won't stand in her way.”

“Thank you, Duck.” She widened that smile. “Then. . .we can vote.”

Chen held up his hand. “The Mountain Master must make his comment before the voting begins.”

Everyone looked at me.

I took a deep breath.

My mind raced through the possibilities and consequences of granting Monique's request.

A swirl of conflicting emotions spun in my chest.

The role would undoubtedly elevate her status, bringing with it power and responsibilities that I hadn't fully considered for her until now.

However, the thought of Monique assuming such a significant position within our organization sent a jolt of unease through me.

It wasn't just about the power she would wield; it was more personal, more primal.

If Monique became aFriend of the Four Aces, she would not only be privy to our innermost circles, but she would be involved in high-level decisions, and inevitably. . .inclose proximitywith other men.

Dangerous, powerful men.

Violent alphas.

The sort that would sniff her sweet perfume and be ready to take a bite.

I fisted my hands at my side.

A part of me, a part I wasn't particularly proud of, recoiled at the idea. Thispossessivenesswas new, unfamiliar, and frankly, unsettling.

I never worried about this sort of shit when it came to Chanel.

Was it because Chanel had already grown up in these rooms with these sort of men?

No. It's not that. This is. . .something else.

I had always prided myself on being more progressive, more open-minded than my father, but here I was, grappling with a sense of ownership over Monique. I watched her, her poise, her confidence, and I felt a twinge of admiration mixed with an undercurrent of something darker.

Her ascent to power would mean I couldn't keep her close in the way I secretly desired. She wouldn't just bemineanymore; she would belong to the Four Aces in a way that transcended personal relationships.

The idea of her being in Diamond Syndicate rooms; negotiating, laughing, and sharing moments with other men stirred a primal jealousy in me.

It was irrational, I knew that.

Monique was her own person, not a secret possession to be kept away from the world. Yet, acknowledging this truth did little to quell the possessive urges bubbling within my heart.

Even more, if Monique were granted this title, I would have to move differently around her. I would need to restrain these newfound possessive instincts and respect her position and autonomy.

It would be a test of the dark beast within.

A challenge.

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