Page 104 of Paper Coffins

From my point of view, all Beckett saw was a man on top of a female. Nothing about that says she instigated a moment of it.

“Your hands were all over him.”

The idea of me wanting a second of Alistair’s assault causes bile to churn and my agitation to grow, and I feel myself snap.

“I was trying to get him off me!” I bellow, allowing the words to rip from me. “That’s what you walked in on.”

It doesn’t take Beckett more than ten seconds to digest what I’m implying here, and he laughs incredulously at my statement.

“You’re unbelievable.”

From the stance he takes, hands in pockets, body language open, eyes locked firmly on me, I know Beckett is very sure of what he saw and what happened. For that, I know I can’t fight him.

So, I accept defeat but don’t wallow on it.

In this life, you have choices, and I’m taking mine where I can get them.

“Of course you’re on his side. Wasn’t that always the case? Dear ol’ dad spoke, and Beckett Knight listened.”

It’s a low blow, and I only use it because I know where to hit Beckett where it hurts.

“Don’t you dare blame him!”

“Why? Because Alistair Knight is a fucking saint? Is that it? You Knights can’t ever be the fucking culprit for anything because you’re just so much holier than the rest of us.”

It always felt that, no matter what happened, Alistair came out smelling like roses. My father always said that’s why he never wanted to be the sole boss of The Company—Alistair Knight didn’t do enemies. Instead, he played peacekeeper and manipulated from the shadows.

I didn’t quite see that until it was too late, but now my eyes are opened, there’s no dismissing it.

“Do you know, I am so sick and tired of your family treating the rest of us like we’re beneath you all.” My tirade is burning bright, and when his mouth drops to speak, I carry on. “But without the likes of us, your family would be absolutely fucking nothing.”

Beckett fights with himself but chooses to remain silent.

“Hit a nerve, did I?” I ask, grinning as I see him grow tense. “You only got to where you are as a default, Beckett. Don’t mistake that, while you may be the boss, I know the truth. If I had stuck around, you wouldn’t be in the position you are now. Actually, you’d be answering to me.”

“But I’m not, am I?” he bites back, taking the bait. “And it’s about time we lay this to rest.”

I can’t resist the mirthless giggle that unravels from me. “How are you going to do that exactly, darling boy?” I take a few steps toward him, matching him power for power. “You’re a second-place king. Undeserving, unworthy, and soon, you’ll be just like your father… ineffectual.”

I knew Beckett risked more than a few careless whispers claiming me as a prisoner, and using them was a cheap shot, but I’m running on the fumes of my anger. I’ve lost all sense where he’s concerned.

“But wait… he wasn’t ineffectual when he had his hand between my legs, was he?”

My skin crawls the moment I say those words, but the effect they have on Beckett is enough to appease my cruelty. I’m feeling particularly vicious in this moment, unable to keep anyone away from the wrath of my words, and Beckett’s disbelief in me is doing nothing to make him immune.

“Ever wonder how many times I wished it was him between my legs and not you?”

It’s the weakest bullet I had to fire, but I took it and got a rise out of Beckett.

If only he knew the damn truth of it all.

Wait, scratch that. If only he’dlistento the damn truth of it all.

In a second, he pushes me against the wall, a hand around my throat, malice in his eyes. My gaze doesn’t falter as he draws his gun from the back of his waistband and brings it to my head, the barrel pressing into my temple. The chill of metal causes a rush of goosebumps to race across me, but I just grin.

“We’ve been in this predicament before.”

“Yeah, and look how that ended...”

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