Page 100

"You lied to me, Dalli."

Her stomach flipped, and she folded the fan, preparing to defend herself in light of his about-face. "I already apologized for that. I?—"

“Not that. At our first, er, joining."

"Our first... Ah!" She bit her lip to hide a grin. "How so?"

"You were no virgin. Your reputation was already in ruins," he charged.

"Why, sir! Are you besmirching my good name?”

“I’ve already besmirched it,” he replied dryly.

Unable to keep up the pretense, she laughed and dropped the fan to the ground. “You did indeed. Do you want to do some more besmirching? I know a splendid little alcove…”

“Why, Ms. Stephens! You’re a practiced flirt!”

“I’m getting there.”

His laugh was pure wicked delight. “Lead the way, Dalli. I’m going to besmirch the hell out of you.”

“You say the sweetest things!”

"And I intend to continue for the rest of our lives."

She giggled as she drew him down on top of her.

"Commence with the besmirching, good sir," she purred with the bawdy laugh he greatly appreciated.

EPILOGUE

ONE WEEK LATER

Damian traversed the hallway to Agnes’s living room, taking his time to view the pictures on her walls. Some were of her, Melvin, and their children as a family unit; others were single shots of Deni or Agnes. No one appeared particularly happy the way one assumed they would if they'd had a healthy, loving home life. He almost felt sorry for Denillia. Almost. Perhaps he would’ve had she not attempted to trigger Trevor into attacking him.

Foolish girl.

Soleil’s earth magic, mixed with the enchanted soil from his estate, had given an extra boost to the spell. She’d only meant to stuff dirt in Deni’s mouth to prevent her from speaking, but his added power hadamped upthe charm one thousandfold. It was something she never could’ve foreseen, as he told her time and again when her guilt flared up.

With Beastie’s assistance, he’d been able to see into the past to the day Agnes and Melvin had brainwashed Trevor. Their plan to weaponize him was genius. But deep in his subconscious, he recognized their sinister intent and avoided them whenever possible. As a failsafe, they persuaded Deni to seduce him and used her to activate their Death Dealer assassin whenever needed.

But that plan, too, had faced opposition.

With each passing day, Trevor's discontentment with her and his life grew,until the dastardly trio was forced to concoct a new plan. Oneto break his heart. The general idea was if he were disillusioned, he’d be uncaring and wouldn’t examine his assignments too closely.And to a degree, it worked well for them.

They erred in sending Trevor after Soleil. While awaiting the kill order, he’d fallen in love. Although it hadn’t quite stopped him from trying to carry out his mission once activated, ithadlost Agnes andMelvina valuable tool, their daughter, and soon, their lives.

Damian sensed her presence before she spoke and shifted to face her.

“Ms. Vector.”

“CouncilwomanVector to you, Aether,” she repliedin a haughty voice. “You still report to me.”

Like hell!

He merely smiled at her posturing.

Lifting her chin in the air, she sniffed her displeasure, but he also felt her fear. Rightaboutnow, she’d be wondering why he was here, worrying he intended to retaliate.