Page 64 of Lies (Wicked Empire 1)

“Did you tell your father?”

“Well, after I made the terrible mistake of asking Keenan when we were going to get engaged, he let me down gently and explained that we were both young, that it wouldn’t make sense to do something so rash.”

“And?”

“My father reminded me that I needed to make sure that Keenan was comfortable. That I could expose the company to a harassment claim. So I shouldn’t do anything to interfere with his work. Like I could or would,” I said with a snort.

Davit looked at me, his expression serious, so much so that it made me laugh, the sound nervous but still amused.

“I can shoot him if you want,” he said.

“What?” I responded, still laughing.

He shrugged. “I can. Or I can make him disappear. You just say the word.”

“I… That won’t be necessary. Keenan’s a fucking jerk, but I don’t need you to shoot him or make him disappear.”

“At least let me break his leg. I’ll make it look like an accident,” he said.

I laughed and took a swallow of the tea that Davit had made. “Now that’s tempting, but…”

He shrugged. “Well, someone should look out for your honor.”

“I don’t think I have any of that left,” I said with a laugh.

One he didn’t share.

In fact, his expression went sober.

“You do, Amethyst. And someone should look out for you,” he said, something like regret in his voice.

“Maybe you’re right. Because I’ve been doing a terrible job of it,” I said.

He didn’t disagree.

* * *

Davit

I stoodat Amethyst’s door and stared down at her.

“This doesn’t change anything,” I said.

“I’m well aware of that. But thank you for saying it,” she said.

I wasn’t sure if she was being serious, but I suspected that she was.

Which was fucked up.

But then again, given what she had told me today, I could see why something like honesty would be appreciated.

“So just continue as you are. Say nothing. And nothing has to change.”

“You mean you won’t have to make it be me who disappears,” she said.

I didn’t say anything, but I didn’t disagree. And she got the message.

“Don’t worry, Davit. I know my role here.”

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