Page 88 of Filthy Royal

“You got that right.”

“Let me out.”

“I don’t think you’re in any position to make demands.”

That smirk… pure Damien. Some things, it seemed, hadn’t changed.

When she first laid eyes on him again, she’d been lost to the madness of the heat.

Now, thanks to the thick barrier between them, her senses were less clouded.

But, damned it all, he was still as mouthwatering as she remembered, even with his knuckles swollen and his chest covered in spatters of blood.

His hair was longer, his face leaner and harder, those perfect cheekbones and square jaw even sharper—and everything was more massive. Damien was an Alpha in his prime, and her body purred its approval.

But that appeal, as all-consuming and powerful as ever, only made his departure more essential.

“You have no idea what you’ve done.” She slammed her palms against the crystal, the darkness inside her expanding, a perfect match to the shadows flickering across the cage that were all too easy to see thanks to the dim lighting. “You need to return me to the Consortium.”

“You want out? Tell me what Darvish Sartin’s up to and how I can get to him.”

Scarlett stilled. “Who?”

“Don’t bullshit me.” A muscle flexed in Damien’s jaw. “Though I guess that’s asking a lot from you, the female who pretended she wanted to run away with me. Even when she’d already picked out someone else.”

Her secrets were all she had left.“I’m in no mood to rehash the past.”

His nostrils flared. “Fine. Let’s stay laser-focused on the present and your current employer, then. Perhaps you refer to him by his alias: Shivrad Nitras.”

Her heartbeat sped up.

“Doesn’t take a genius to recognize that name when spelled backward. Fucker’s been taunting us, but I promise I’ll have the last laugh.” His palm struck the crystal, but it was the hatred in his eyes that stole her breath. “I know Darvish Sartin, aka Nitras, is the Consortium’s new head. I also know you’re involved with him… financially.”

Panic slammed through her. She didn’t want him to know that. Didn’t want him to know any of this. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Such a little liar.” Damien shook his head. “I should punish you for that alone.”

Her clit throbbed.Foolish, traitorous body.

“You think I don’t remember your tells, Omega? The way you tilt your head to the side, your eyes flicking away for a heartbeat before you utter an untruth. I saw it then. I see it now.”

The wound inside her deepened, bleeding out. Only Damien had ever cared enough to pay such close attention.

Once, she’d adored that trait. Now it was far too dangerous for them both.

“You don’t know me anymore, Damien. Don’t think you do.”

His horns snapped straight, his chest expanding as his calm façade thinned. “I was about to say the same to you, Omega.”

A sudden realization dawned: despite all the sensations rushing through her—and there were many—one she’d always felt around Damien was conspicuously absent.

Scarlett glanced down, pushing aside the golden cuff on her wrist. “No marks.” Her thumb tracked across the clear skin.

“You’re surprised?” His words sliced through her.

Was she surprised? Yes and no.

Yes, because, even now, knowing that he despised her, her heart ached for him.

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