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“Because I’m a businessman first. I protect my interests and my family’s interests. I don’t want the Korven’s overpowering everyone else. For the council to stay balanced, the power needs to be equal.”

His answer made sense, but something still bothered me. I felt like he was hiding something.

“The Sawyer’s said someone promised them a seat on the council,” Krash chimed in.

“Where’d you hear that ridiculous rumor?” Marquette shot back right away.

“Seylan Sawyer claimed someone would make sure they got the sixth seat in the Big Six. I heard Serenity tell Valery,” Krash clarified.

“And since you kept asking us to reconsider our votes against their admission, I can’t help but feel something is fishy,” I added.

He looked uneasy as we continued to push.

“I never promised the Sawyer’s a seat if that’s what you want to know. I just thought their business fit what we needed. They would have made good partners. But now, after what happened, it doesn’t matter.”

I watched him closely. He wasn’t as calm as he’d been when talking about Serenity, which told me there was something hewasn’t saying. But as he pointed out, it wasn’t an issue anymore. Not after I took Seylan and Eleana out. I doubted old man Sawyer would want any part of the council now.

“Right. It doesn’t matter anymore. I took out the Sawyer kids because they kidnapped my wife. I couldn’t let them walk away from that.”

“You know their father won’t let it go, right?” Marquette warned.

“Let him come. I’m ready. Anyone who tries to hurt my wife will face hell. I turn into a monster when it comes to Serenity.”

“Of course. I’m just saying, keep your guard up. After you killed his heir and his princess, he’s not going to just move on. But as you said, if he tries something, we’ll be ready. The other families don’t get involved in internal conflicts, but against an outside threat, everyone stands together. You’ve got the support of the Marquette’s,” he said, reaching out his hand.

I shook it, sealing the unspoken alliance we had as members of the Big Six.

“All right, I still have questions about the poison in Serenity’s drink. I don’t think you had anything to do with it, but I expect you to investigate. It happened in your mansion, so I hope you can find out who’s responsible.”

“And I will. I’ll keep you informed, Konflict.”

With that, we left the Marquette estate. There were still things that bothered me, and I was determined to get to the bottom of every last one.

Three weeks later.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I was done giving her space, done with all the ‘cool off’ advice. Three weeks since my wife left, refusing to speak to me or see me. She dodged me every time Itried to reach out. She was dead-set on the divorce, which I had no intention of granting.

I’d agreed to stay away, to give her room, just like everyone told me to. Yeah, that advice was bullshit. It didn’t work. I was done playing nice and fair. This time, we’d do it my way, and Serenity would have no choice but to talk to me.

I hit the Veylor casino elevator button, stopping it from closing. Before Serenity could protest, I stepped inside and pressed the button to close the doors, locking the two of us inside alone.

“What are you doing here, Konflict?” Serenity growled, standing as far away from me as she could.

I ignored her and pressed a random floor so the elevator would move. As soon as it did, I slammed the emergency stop, trapping us between floors. Now she couldn’t run.

I turned to face her.

“We need to talk. I’m done waiting.”

“Well, too bad. I don’t want to talk to your lying ass. Start this elevator. The only conversation you’ll be having is with my lawyer when you sign the divorce papers.”

Before she even finished her last word, I was on her, my hand closing around her neck, her back pinned to the wall. My grip wasn’t violent, just tight enough to remind her who I was. Who could make her come just by touching her. Who knew how to talk to her body and make her melt. Who had his name tattooed on her pussy. She could deny it, act tough, but when I had her like this, every inch of her body shivered under my fingers.

“I find your delusional side kind of cute, until it goes on too long and starts pissing me off.”

Squeezing her throat a little more, I brought my lips close to hers. I could feel her body vibrating, her pulse racing under my palm, her breath getting shaky. My lips hovered over hers, and all I wanted was to taste her again, because three weeks was afucking eternity.

“Konflict,” she moaned against my mouth.