Page 103 of Filthy Royal

He loomed over her in the next heartbeat, his boots straddling her pretty knees. “You want me to stop playing with him and release you? Then tell me what you and Darvish are doing with all that money you stole from the Golden Dome tournaments.”

She started, her eyes going wide.

“Didn’t think anyone knew about that?” He threaded his fingers through her hair and drew her up as far as the cuffs at her wrists would allow, arching her spine, the chain tinkling softly as she hung suspended in his hold, her eyes fixed on him. Just as he wanted. “I keep giving you chances to tell me the truth, but you don’t.”

Her gaze flickered away.

Damien dragged it back to him. “Once Brock gave us your name, it was easy for Maxheim to dig into your accounts to follow the dirty trail that led from the stolen money to you, but, not surprisingly, that gets murky before it can be linked to Darvish”

Scarlett blanked her expression, but there was no missing the telling rapid rise and fall of her chest.

“Nothing to say?” He leaned in close.

She shook her head, or at least tried to, achieving only the slightest of movements—since he was the one in control. Since he finally had her under his thumb after four planetary rotations of rage and… craving.

His hold tightened. “Did you even stop to think what would happen if your bullshit was discovered by the Brotherhood? Because, as silent investors, they collect a substantial portion of Golden Dome profits, and they’ll not take kindly to finding out they’ve been consistently robbed, especially if you’re the only culprit they can identify.”

Her breathing sped up, but he had to give her credit; she didn’t break. “I know what happens. Death.”

“And what?” Red spots danced in front of his eyes, her cavalier attitude enraging him further. “You’re so damned greedy or foolish or desperate to gain status you thought it was worth it? Or that they wouldn’t find out?”

“You’re hurting me.”

He loosened his hold immediately but didn’t back down. He couldn’t. “It won’t be just you that they go after either. It will be that precious brother whose approval you’re so desperate for. That pretty boy you seem so keen to protect.” He growled low. “How could you be so fucking stupid? It’s your blood and eye scan being used to approve those initial transactions. It’s you who looks like the guilty party here.”

“I know the consequences.”

It made no sense.

Because Scarlett might be a lot of things, but she’d never struck him as foolish.

“Did you believe Darvish’s bullshit when he said he could protect you?”

She barely blinked, but he caught the slight stiffening of her posture.

“He did tell you that, didn’t he?” Damien cursed. “What did he say? That he had an inside source?”

Her lips pressed tight. Another yes in his view.

“I hate to break it to you, but all those who’ve allied with him in the past have died. Darvish uses others, then spits them out, sacrificing them for his own revenge schemes.”

She said nothing, her gaze flicking away.

He grabbed her chin, forcing her eyes back to him. “Who is this inside source?” He and his brothers had already exposed a few traitors in the Brotherhood’s ranks, but Damien was one hundred percent certain there were more.

When she didn’t answer, he squeezed harder. “Who?”

“I wish I knew.”

It sounded like the truth. And yet it told him nothing.

Damien flashed his fangs. “Your refusal to cooperate is really pissing me off. Time to return to the prince.”

“No.” Big, beautiful eyes stared up at him, pleading, frustrated. “He’s not worth it. He—”

“Don’t bother. Having you defend him only pisses me off more.” Unable to restrain himself, he rubbed a thumb across her full lower lip. “You use these lips to tell me what I want to know or I’ll find another use for them.” A mix of sensations pummeled him asher eyes widened in response. “After I deal with the prince.”

“No!” Panic sounded behind him. Prince Jai had been paying attention. The guy spoke fast. “Listen to her. I-I had no idea the bitch or this Darvish guy was stealing. She cost me a fucking fortune. It’s her who deserves to be in this chair or bent over it.”

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