Page 71 of Poison Vows

“Young Master,” Ripley starts, looking between Vaughn and me, but it’s clear he’s talking to me. I’m the only one referred to with that title. “He’s waiting for you.”

Vaughn looks at Ripley. “I’d like to have a talk with Grandfather.”

“He’ll see you together with the rest of the family later after his talk with the young master. Please wait.”

That displeases Vaughn but he isn’t a fool as to express it, but just like when we were growing up, Grandfather’s treatment of me has always irked him and his father.

“I just have one more thing to say to my cousin, Rip. I’ll be right there,” I say quietly.

“Yes, sir.” Ripley bows his head slightly then leaves.

“What do you have to say?” Vaughn demands with some apprehension in his eyes.

I take a step closer to him, holding his gaze and watching his eye twitch just a bit.

“Let’s be very clear, Vaughn.” I step even closer, dropping my voice to a frosty tone. “She’s mine.”

Vaughn’s jaw starts ticking, with a spark of defiance in his eyes… the kind I’ll gladly welcome if he has the guts.

“She has always been mine and I dare you to say that shit again. See if I don’t rip you apart right here and now.”

It’s not about beating him… nor about humiliating him.

This is a promise to take him out. Permanently.

“But does she agree with that?” Vaughn counters angrily. “She doesn’t strike me as the type to just sit around and take manipulation from a man who ignores her.”

Manipulation? Ignoring her?

If I could successfully ignore Angel, we’d never be here now.

“It seems we just have to wait and watch,” I say softly.

“Watch what?”

“A show personally curated just for you,cousin.”

I don’t wait for his response this time.

I don’t need his stupid words. I just want him to act.

And then, the reckoning will come.

CHAPTER 12

Emmett

“You had a very interesting evening.”

I stand by the old, sturdy pillars that hold up the huge Italian-style terrace overlooking the backyard of the residence my father rebuilt for my mother years ago, when the gravelly voice speaks, but I ignore him.

Fall came too quickly this time, but then again, I’ve always been keenly aware of the changing seasons.

With the current condition of my heart, after this season, I estimate that I won’t be able to see another fall, so I stare at the browning leaves falling hurriedly to the ground, ignoring Grandfather’s idle commentary.

Dying people tend to do that.

“You even had the audacity to declare vengeance, an order that even I have never given.”

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