Page 70 of Poison Vows

Maybe it’s because I’ve been feeling like shit since this morning when Angel tried to pull away from me, demanding something of me I can’t give her.

Or maybe it’s the fact that I already had an idea that things will be different from now on, but as I look at Vaughn, with the blood in my veins simmering, I realize that it’s what Vaughn just said that did it.

Losing her.

Grandfather wants to use her against me.

The way Angel looked at me after I told her the first part of the plan… I literally saw her emotionally and mentally shutting me out.

And then there’s the shit thing in my chest that has already declared me unworthy of her.

That reality makes me livid and desperate to shed blood…

Losing Angel is the one crushing blow I’ve been trying to accept all my life.

But I’ll be damned if this asshole hurls that to my face as if there are no consequences to such bullshit.

“Is that your calculation?” I ask, turning around to face him fully, keeping my voice low, soft, and deadly calm.

Vaughn looks at me with caution as soon as he hears the tone of my voice and takes a slight step back.

“Yes,” he says, obviously mustering up as much courage as he can.

“You know, Vaughn.” I take a step toward him. He fights not to take one back. “You’ve spent your entire life calculating and trying to get past me, but do you know why you’ve never succeeded?”

Vaughn stares back at me, pure loathing clear in his eyes, but I don’t care.

“It’s because against me, calculation is nothing,” I state. “Schemes are never as straightforwardly terrifying as real, unadulterated power and dearest cousin of mine,Ihave power. What about you?”

Vaughn’s eyes flash with hatred, his fists clenched at his sides, livid at me for stating the simple truth.

“When you’re around Grandfather and everyone else, you seem untouchable, refined, and completely detached,” Vaughn says, glaring at me. “Who knew you’re actually a sly, sharp-tongued, and vicious person?”

“She knows.”

“What?”

“She has always known, but you, despite what you might think, you don’t know her at all. So your attempt to be the hero, is it your daddy’s directive or your personal touch?”

Vaughn looks startled for a second, then he calmly steps back.

“Remember your fucking place,” I warm him calmly, trying like all hell not to break this asshole’s face before the show starts. “You don’t get to presume my life or hers, and you sure as hell don’t get to speak on what I’ve lost.”

“Are you threatening me?” Vaughn demands.

“Threaten you?” I scoff. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”

Vaughn visibly flinches at my next words.

“This is a promise.”

Threats are reserved for worthier opponents, the ones you’re never quite sure of their trump card so you make hits to figure them out through threats.

Vaughn knows that too. We were ‘raised’ together, so he knows I won’t beat about the bush.

But he doesn’t know the lengths I’ll go for Angel.

Just then, I spot Ripley at the end of the hallway.

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