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“You’re the one who forced a dance on me, had me investigated, and is currently harassing me in a public restroom. If I didn’t know, better Mr. Thorne, I’d think you’re the one who’s been scheming and plotting. Tell me, how would your beloved Lilith feel when she finds out what you’ve been up to?

The burning look that flashed through his eyes was the only warning I got before he slammed his fist into the wall next to my head, effectively putting an end to whatever I might have to add.

“You’ll not speak of Lilith.”

His voice was strained, and heavy puffs of breath enunciated them, but I didn’t miss the characteristic lack of tenderness in the way he said her name or the way he spat it out like it was poison. Whatever it was, I wanted no part in it.

“You will not bulldoze into my life and tell me what I cannot do, who I cannot date, and what deals I cannot go after. You don’t own me Mr. Thorne, and what I do with my life is none of your business.”

A sly smile spread across his lips, and he lifted his hand, twisting a lock of my hair around his finger. I fought back the urge to lean intohis touch. He was barely touching me, but I could feel the heat from his skin sinking into me and sending my heart into overdrive.

He lowered his head to my ears, his breath fanning across my neck and leaving goosebumps in their wake. I gripped the wall to keep my knees from giving out.

“I own you, Mira.” The words shot through me like molten heat, settling deep in my core and causing my walls to clench.

He wasn’t done.

“I own every bit of you, from the heavy breaths pouring out your lungs to your moans of pleasure, and I’ll not hesitate to remind you. Get rid of him. I won’t be so nice with my request a second time.”

My wolf purred, clinging to the part where he implied we belonged to him with an almost nauseating desperation. Did she not learn anything from all we’ve been through?

I was an embarrassing mess of erratic heartbeat, molten heat, and an undeniable throbbing between my thighs.

Griffin took a whiff of air, his smile deepening by a fraction. Of course, he could perceive my arousal seeping into the air around us. Heat climbed from my core and settled deep in my face.

Years of resilience almost fell apart with one encounter. It was frustrating how much my body betrayed me when it came to him. He could be saying the cruelest thing, and somehow, it’ll find a way to give in to him.

“You are delusional.” I managed to cough out, proud of myself for not sounding as shaken as I was feeling.

He cocked a brow.

“You want to test that theory?”

“Go find someone else to entertain you. I’m not playing your stupid games,” I replied, pushing past him and walking out of the restroom.

“Are you okay? You spent a lot of time there,” Victor asked as soon as I returned to our seat.

I briefly toyed with the idea of confronting him about his identity and hearing what he had to say for himself, but I was already exhausted from my encounter with Griffin.

“I’m okay. I got a call from Noah’s nanny. I need to be home soon.”

“Is everything okay? Do you need me to drive you home?” Worry was etched on his face, and he looked so genuine I began to wonder if Griffin was messing with me. But then he tilted his head to the side, and I couldn’t miss the similarities in their bone structure.

He always had a look I would associate with snobby aristocrats. I attributed it to great genes and years of working out, but right now, standing in front of him, I couldn’t help the mental list of his similarities with Griffin forming in my head.

“It’s fine, Victor. It’s nothing serious. I’ll see you around.” I picked up my purse and made my way out of the restaurant.

*****

“You were very clear about not wanting to hear anything about him or the palace. Why the sudden change of mind?” Mary’s voice poured through my phone speaker, and I sighed, wondering if I should let her in on the events of the past days.

She was right. I had instructed her to say nothing about Griffin, his palace, or his family in any of our conversations, but after today, I was left with more questions than I’ve ever had.

“We ran into each other,” I finally said, and a subtle gasp followed.

“Are you okay? How about Noah? Did he see him?” She fired question after question at me, and I took a large gulp from my wine glass.

“Everything’s fine, Mary. He doesn’t know about Noah, thankfully.”