Page 76 of Filthy Royal

“You know the drill. Hands behind your back, legs spread wide.” Nars, the smirking guard, stood at Consortium headquarters’ massive metal door.

“Behave, pet.” The voice came from the comms attached to the camera in the ceiling. “Or else.”

“Stop talking!” Kadon’s angry snarl snapped Scarlett’s attention back to the two furious males. “Or I’ll make it impossible for you to talk at all, royalty or not. Luxury-box rules or not.”

The prince backed up another step, his voice growing even louder. “The Golden Dome may be big and busy, but word gets around. Everyone knows she’s more high-class whore than prime omega.”

Kadon’s fangs lengthened. “You are done for.”

The prince shuffled back. “This isn’t over. One rotation soon, I’ll get my shot with her, and I’ll make her pay for tonight with her tears. What the hells else is an ex-prize good for anyway?”

His parting shot delivered, he turned and shoved his way through the crowd.

Eyes bleeding to red, Kadon went to follow.

Scarlett stepped into his path. “Not here. Not now.” She eyed the camera in the ceiling. Then a group of nearby spectators.

Kadon’s frown deepened, but thankfully, he stayed where he was.

Because perfect Alphas and happy, golden couples didn’t get into knockdown brawls with their esteemed guests.

“Hells.” Her Alpha lord plowed a hand through his hair, the red streaks fading from his eyes. “I got carried away.”

It wasn’t the first time. “I’m fine.”

“But I heard you cry out.”

“You’re mistaken.” What was the point of the truth when it only made their wounds bleed deeper?

“Boss wants to see you.” As if summoned by her darkest thoughts, her least favorite security guard, Nars, appeared. “Thebigboss.”

Her heart stuttered, then started again, double-time.

At her side, Kadon bristled. “If this is about Brock, we had nothing to do with it. The fool’s always going off on binges. Thissummonsof yours will have to wait. We have guests, and there’s already gossip. She—”

“Is coming.” Scarlett spoke over him.

Because Kadon might be her Alpha lord, but in the end, he wasn’t the one she had to please.

And they both knew his efforts to protect her only made things worse.

Shoulders back, she turned to follow the guard.

“Scarlett!” Kadon reached for her.

She dodged his grasp and left without looking back. Nothing he could say would change what had to happen next.

Scarlett followed Nars out of the luxury box, down the long corridor, past row after row of sculptures featuring the Dome’s most celebrated fighters, the decor growing less fancy and more utilitarian the closer they got to the elevator.

Nars moved to block her path. “You know the drill.”

She started. “But we’re not at headquarters yet.” The coliseum and her destination were near one another, but first, they’d need to descend in the secure lift and then take a quick ride. She had no idea who’d be driving her now that Brock was missing.

“Extra precautions. Turn and spread.”

“No.” The word was out before she could stop it.

“What the fuck did you say?” Nars loomed above her.

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