Page 134 of Filthy Royal

“You can take that off if you want.” He’d stood on the other side of the elevator, studying her warily. With his arms crossed over his broad chest and the cloak slung over his shoulder, he looked way too mouthwatering for someone she’d hardened her heart against.

Which was why it took her a moment to realize he meant the gag and not her clothes.

Irritation spiked, mostly at herself.

Of course she could get rid of the disgusting gag. Her wrists were no longer bound, and she didn’t need his permission. She certainly hadn’t been waiting for it.

Scarlett ripped the strip of fabric from between her lips and wiggled her jaw. “How did you jam the recorders?”

It was the only explanation for his willingness to show his face now.

She’d have given her left arm for the ability to do that these past four planetary rotations.

Damien shrugged and held up his wrist, revealing a band. “Another Maxheim toy. He’s brilliant, remember?”

“But not brave enough to come here himself?” She wasn’t sure why she pushed, but Damien’s admiration for his brothers at the expense of his own abilities had always irritated her.

His gaze narrowed. “He’s busy protecting his breeding prime omega.”

“I see. That’s… nice.” Another Skolov development she hadn’t been aware of.

With Darvish restricting her access to anything of note, the only gossip she’d picked up during elite events was mostly about Damien’s feats as a fearsome Enforcer and the Skolov family’s rise to the top.

His brothers had all been unattached when she and Damien were together, and from what Damien had told her about Maxheim’s workaholic tendencies, she’d have expected him to be the last one to distract himself with an omega and young.

But so much had changed.

At least somebody had gotten their happily ever after.

Scarlett cleared her throat, her gaze shifting away. “How about you? You settled down yet?”

There was way too long a pause, and she wanted to smack herself. That question didn’t come across as distant or disinterested at all.

Heat prickled across her cheeks.

He spoke at last. “I keep myself busy.” Another weighty pause. “But if I was with someone long-term, I wouldn’t have touched you.”

She choked out, “Good to know.”

Why was this elevator suddenly taking longer than usual? She rubbed her hands down the front of the shirt Damien had put her in over her torn dress, the bumps of the taming chain oddly comforting beneath her palm.

“I’m my family’s Enforcer now.” Damien’s chest puffed wide. “It’s a huge responsibility.”

“Just as you wanted. I always knew you’d show those brothers of yours just how much of a force you could be.”

She wasn’t sure why she said it. Perhaps because she suspected her time with him was coming to an end. Or maybe because old habits die hard, and his flash of vulnerability affected her despite herself.

“You did, huh?” He was across the elevator in a heartbeat, his hands slamming down on either side of her head, caging her in. “So why’d you betray me and choose someone else?”

She sucked in a sharp breath. He’d never asked before. Just assumed the worst.

“We’ll never get anywhere”—his gaze never left hers— “until we stop slinging insults and start telling each other the truth.”

“You first.”

His frown deepened. “Whatever this is between us, it can’t get in the way of my primary mission.”

“Us? There is no us anymore.”

---