Page 15 of Endgame
Too bad whatever part of me that used to care about fairness got buried under decades of hate and grief.
“You may not.”
At that, Aurora’s eyebrows fly up. Her blue orbs sink their claws right into my soul, shutting out the audible gasps in the courtroom. No, I won’t give in and get lost in those ocean-blue eyes. I won’t.
What I do is make sure she sees I’m talking to her. “You, however.”
Sensing the challenge in my tone, her chin lifts. Jaw clenches.
Her attitude. It won’t get her anywhere with me. While I haven’t met her more than a handful of times, and only after my parents died, I know what she’s like.
Always keeping to herself. Quiet, resentful. Thinking she’s better than everyone else.
Considering our group, she probably is. Nevertheless, guilt by association is still guilt.
This look she’s giving me, though, is different from her usual contempt.
She’s readying herself for a fight.
So am I.
Tension coils through my arms beneath the suit, my sleeves stretching on my skin. The hand I have in my lap curls into a fist, my nails digging into my palm. I inch forward, narrowing my eyes.
“Me, what?” Christ, would you look at that? Winston would be proud of her derisive glower.
He wears it so. Fucking. Well.
I jerk my chin. “To my chambers.”
“Okay,” her lawyer says, not one of mine. I’ve had my family’s law firm partners decline to take her case this time. I might’ve quit my position there, but it’s clear to everyone who owns them. “Fair enough.”
They both get up.
“I thought I was being clear, Miss Clarke.” I dip my chin. “Only you.”
“Why?” Her voice sharpens, a little edge slipping through. “I’m entitled to have my lawyer present.”
I’d feel sorry for her, except this is what I’ve dreamed of. This moment. Her pain. The sliver of hope I’ll get to crush over and over again.
“Only you,” I repeat.
Her shoulders roll back like she’s trying to tower over her five-foot-three frame.
It won’t help her. Nothing will.
“Or else?” she says, a spark of defiance in her eyes.
The nerve of her.
How dare she lean in? How dare she cock an eyebrow, like we’re equals. Or worse. Like she’s above me.
No Clarke will ever rule over or intimidate an Alder. Never again.
Aurora will learn that first.
And she’ll learn it the hard way.
My revenge will leave its mark everywhere. On her skin and her soul.
