Page 21 of Goldflame

She knows she can’t resist this explosive energy that’s always existed between us.

I drag my lips along her jaw, up to her ear. “Tell me you don’t?—”

“Julian.”

Before I can fall any deeper into this dangerous spiral, my mother’s voice slices through the tension.

“Julian,” she says again sharply, the way she used to when I was a kid and tried to eat ice cream before dinner. She stands at the entrance to the alcove, her face a stony mask. Behind her, two security guards shift uncomfortably. “I just received an update. The surveillance footage from today has been tampered with. The cameras near the entrance where the drinks were served—they’ve been disabled.”

All the heat drains from my skin, replaced by a cold certainty that settles in my bones. I jerk away from the pull of Aurelia’s body, back to reality. Back to what she’s done.

“How convenient,” I say, my eyes scanning Aurelia’s face. Her cheeks are flushed, she’s trembling, and I can imagine my little outburst made her wet. But any desire to explore that now is gone. Mother has just given me proof of Aurelia’s mind games.

I lean in close so no one else can hear. “Wasn’t the footage from Victoria’s apartment building also mysteriously ‘missing’? Just like the cameras at Marcus Whitman’s favorite restaurant. It’s interesting that wherever you go, cameras suddenly stop working.”

This time, Aurelia doesn’t try to defend herself. Her eyes drop to the floor in defeat.

It’s the most honest thing she’s done in weeks.

Mother steps closer and whispers in my ear, “You must deal with her. Before she comes for me next. Before she finishes what she started. Aren’t you going to protect me?”

The look of genuine fear in my mother’s eyes—fear for her life—makes my heart ramp up. My momentary lapse in judgment, that split second of weakness where I almost believed Aurelia, evaporates like morning dew under a scorching sun.

I turn my dark gaze back to Aurelia, taking in every detail of her face. The way her lashes frame those deceitful green eyes. The scatter of freckles across her nose that I used to trace with my fingertip. The flush that spreads across her collarbone when she’scaught in a lie.

She really is a fucking masterpiece. Beautiful even in her monstrosity.

“Guards,” I call out so everyone can hear. My voice is steady despite the storm raging inside me. “Take her.”

Aurelia’s eyes widen, disbelief washing over her features. “Julian, please?—”

“Shut up.” The words slice through her pathetic plea. “You’re done talking. You’re done lying. You’re donekillingpeople around me.”

The two guards behind mom step forward, their faces expressionless as they reach for the woman I’ve loved for too fucking long. This time, they’re actually obeying. The power surging through me is intoxicating—addictive in a way I never understood when I watched my father wield it. I’m the leader now, so they’ll do anything I ask. Obeymeabove anyone else. Fuck, how satisfying.

Aurelia’s chin lifts, that defiant fire still burning even as tears threaten to spill. “You’re making a mistake you can’t take back. Everything from this moment on will be different. Don’t do this. Please.”

“My only mistake was trusting you.” I step back, creating space for the guards to do what I commanded. “Take her to Adrian’s bedroom.” I smirk at the shock that colors her cheeks. Maybe some time in the room of the man she killed will get her to confess. Feelsomekind of remorse.

The guards advance, their movements mechanical as they flank Aurelia. One grabs her arm, yanking her forward with unnecessary force. Something protective flares in my chest at the sight, but I smother it quickly.She lost the right to my protection when she put a bullet in my brother.

“Julian!” Valentine’s voice is loud as he pushes his way into our alcove, his weathered, tan face twisted with confusion. “What’re you doing?”

“What needs to be done.” I meet his gaze, unflinching. “You know she’s a killer. She’s done enough damage.”

Valentine’s eyes dart between me and Aurelia like he’s calculating something. “This isn’t the place. Let me handle it.”

“Like you handled my brother’s body?” I step closer, drawing myself to my full height. “When you ordered the guards to take him against my wishes? That was the last fucking time you’ll get to disobey me.” Adrenaline rushes through me, fueling a fire that’s been smoldering since that night. “I’m the leader of the Inferno Consortium now. Not you. These men answer tome.” He starts to open his mouth, to actively defy me, so I gesture to the closest guard. “Pull your gun out.”

The guard complies without hesitation.

“Now point it at his chest.”

The guard hesitates this time, likely because Valentine is head of security. They’ve probably had chats over coffee, developed some kind of camaraderie. But the hesitation is brief; the guard aims his gun at Valentine’s heart.

To his credit, Valentine doesn’t flinch, only holds my gaze with acceptance like a true soldier. I can’t help myself. I fucking grin. So many years I’ve spent bowing down to him or Lucian or my brother. I’ve had to keepmy mouth shut, humiliate myself so Lucian wouldn’t hurt Mother, and help others get what they want. Then I’d take out my frustrations at The Den.

That’s all over. For once, everyone must do what I want.

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