Page 194 of Owned

We both knew it was true.

“We stop the wedding,” he said, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. “No more waiting.”

Valen turned, and a dark light burned in his eyes.

We didn’t need an excuse— We all wanted Lucian dead. We’d all had our own reasons before. But now? Now it felt like we were united in our hatred.

Ourpurpose.

Avrilbelonged to us.

The legacy of this place—belonged tous.

And sooneverythingwould be ours.

But we had to act quickly.

“The timing has to be perfect,” Titus said. “Lucian isn’t helpless, and this paranoia— it’s made him unpredictable.”

“We can manipulate that,” Valen said.

“Can we?” My voice teetered on the edge of laughter. Insane. Unhinged laughter. This was hopeless. All of it.

“Get yourshittogether!” Titus’ voice echoed in the room. “You saw who Lucian’s guests would be— He’s not without allies.”

“And enemies,” I finished. “He’s not invincible.”

Valen shook his head. “Titus is right. We can’t do anything stupid.”

“And we can’t donothing,” I exploded. “Avril wants us to trust her— but I don’t trusthim.”

“None of us do,” Valen said grimly. “But if she has a plan—”

I let out a furious breath and turned away. My reflection in the window was haunting.

“Doyoutrust her?” I hissed.

Titus’ boots were heavy on the stone floor. “Do we have a choice?”

My smile was bitter as I looked over my shoulder at him. “Probably not.”

“Go get cleaned up,” Titus said. “Lucian will expect us to be in full view.”

“On our best behavior,” I retorted.

“Something like that.”

I snorted and walked toward the library door. I had no intention of behaving. Avril had begged us to trust her, and I wanted to. But she didn’t know what was at stake. Or she didn’t want to believe it.

If I couldn’t count on my brothers to have my back, I was going to take matters into my own bloodstained hands.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” Valen called after me.

I let the door slam behind me as I strode into the hallway.

“No promises.”

It hadn’t worked.

---