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Oliver frowns at me. He must be waiting for an answer. I nod, and he smiles at the noncommittal gesture. Normally, I’d like to know what I’m agreeing to.

Today, it doesn’t matter. In a few weeks, Oliver will be buried six feet under. Nothing but a distant memory.

Another person walks up to us. A woman in a pale blue gown that matches the color of her eyes. Effie Johnson.

She’s a client of our law firm. The daughter of a real estate mogul. I shake the blonde’s hand. Feel her warm fingers. It’s deceptive, her soft touch. Her smile.

The woman not only spreads revenge porn of her exes online, but when the mood strikes, she points a gun at their parents, makes them fuck for the camera, then the world.

Abhorrent, really.

Thankfully, the judge in her case was a regular here. A few witnesses and evidence were disqualified. The defense’s objections were overruled.

Nothing stuck.

“James. Oliver. For a second there, I wasn’t sure I’d get an invitation.” She bats her long lashes at both of us. I pity the women who fall for that trap. You really took your time sending that RSVP.”

“Had to get it just right.” Oliver grins at her. He, too, pretends to be a decent person. Everyone in this room is faking it, me included.

A decent person wouldn’t have kidnapped his son’s girlfriend. A decent person wouldn’t have had his cock throbbing from watching her pussy get waxed. He sure as fuck wouldn’t have stormed off to his bathroom to get off after that.

“Of course,” she purrs. It’s almost time to start. The people in the room take their seats behind Effie. She’s not done talking, though. To me. “I caught a glimpse of Topher a few weeks ago. He had his lady friend around his arm. That was her, right? She’s a special one. I wouldn’t have handed her over to just anyone, either.”

I wouldn’t hand her over to anyone, period.

Shut up.

“Camden’s virgin is equally exquisite.” At Oliver’s boasting, she raises her eyebrows. “Wait till you get your eyes on her. Natural blonde. Ocean-blue eyes. Curves for days.” He leans into her. “A crier.”

“Oh.Oh.” Effie raises a hand to her collarbone. The skin of her slender arm prickles. “Hmm. And here I thought the best thing I’d gotten from knowing either of you was my get-out-of-jail-free card.”

“She’s quick to kneel too.” Oliver’s repulsive behavior reminds me why I don’t step foot in our auction house.

“You sure know how to charm a girl.” She winks at him, then lets him escort her to her seat.

They walk away, and I see his chest puffing. He gets hard on the attention.

All I give a fuck about is having this city under my thumb.

And Ophelia in my bed.

No.

Rage simmers inside me. My head pounds.

She’s messing with me. With my sanity.

“Let’s go.” Oliver has returned to my side, his smile smug. “Camden just texted me. Both of them are inked and waiting for us to initiate them.”

“Certainly.” I straighten my back. My tie. Harden my features.

I’m empty inside. Feel nothing warm and fuzzy toward the initiation. For my son officially becoming one of us.

Least of all, I feel nothing forher.

They’re a part of my plan. Items to tick off my list.

Nothing more.