Page 210 of Owned

“Fuck this,” I snapped, but my voice was hollow.

The whiskey burned as I swallowed it down, and I welcomed the pain of it.

Anything to make me feel.

My pulse pounded in my ears, and Avril’s calm expression haunted my mind.

“Would serve her right if she’s the one who ends up poisoned,” Bastian muttered.

“Wouldn’t it?” I said, but I didn’t mean it. Not really.

Bastian didn’t either.

“Are you two going to stand there all night?” Valen’s voice came from behind us. He was already moving toward the garden entrance, eyes fixed on the path that would take us back to our own fucking lives. “Let’s get the hell out of here—”

“What a bunch of bullshit,” Bastian grumbled as he took the bottle again.

I didn’t reply.

I couldn’t.

“Are you coming?” Bastian asked.

“I’m going to watch,” I said.

Bastian chuckled. “Watch what?”

“Lucian. I want to see him fucking drink it.”

Bastian let out a long breath. “Well, give us the play-by-play when you’re done.”

My brothers melted away into the darkness and I wished I’d kept the whiskey.

The musicians came to the final bars of the song and applause rippled across the garden like water over sand as Lucian bowed to his supporters.

With dramatic flair, Lucian led Avril from the throng of dancers to the table where his wine awaited him.

He lifted the carafe and re-filled his goblet before pouring the rich liquid into Avril’s cut crystal glass. It splashed onto the linen tablecloth, staining it with dark blooms.

Lucian waited for the guests to fall silent before he lifted his glass. The dark liquid seemed to slosh in time with my heartbeat. He waited—dramatic to the last.

He draws it out.

A predator savoring the taste of his victory.

He brought the glass to his lips, drank deeply, and then raised it again.

“A toast!” he cried. “To my beautiful bride—once my stepdaughter, now taking her rightful place at my side.”

Avril’s smile speared into my guts.

“May she have the wisdom and strength that my sons seem to lack.”

Laughter.More laughter.

It echoed through the garden.

Lucian handed her the glass of wine he had poured, and he turned to the crowd once more.

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