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“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that as a sitting member of the board of The Lost Rose, you just became my bitch, Sammy.” My smile is sincere as I watch my words sink in. “I don’t give a fuck what you have to do, but your first order of business is making sure no harm comes to my parents because of the marriage I just called off?—”

“But…”

“Same goes for the Dupree family. Nothing happens to them.” Chiara could spin whatever story she wanted about me cheating and leaving her jilted. As long as it doesn’t end in my family or hers getting fucked because I fell in love, I don’t give a fuck. I want to love Delilah in peace.

He doesn’t waste another protest on me, but stares at me with watering eyes.

“After that, you’re going to pull rank and make sure no harm comes to Delilah. Ever again,” I tack on at the end. “That means if her brother offers her up for another auction or tries to sacrifice her to satisfy a debt, you won’t even entertain it. Because that woman is untouchable, and the second you fuck up and show me she isn’t, I’ll mail your son one of your hands and a video of what you did to her when you thought nobody was looking.”

His eyes bulge.

“I c-can’t do that. They won’t listen to me. These things go to a vote.”

“You said I should kill you?” I feign confusion and lift my gun to his brow until his stammering fills the air.

“I can do it. I can do it! Whatever you want, just let me live.”

Contempt curls my lip, but I lower my gun, willing for once in my life to play the long game. Because I still plan on killing Samuel. There’s just no fun in telling him that. But the second I have exactly what I want from him, I’ll drag him through Hell and make what he did to Delilah look like a walk in the park.

Sitting back, I slot my gun back in my torso holster and cover it with my jacket. Then I rest my ankle across my knee and give him a smile.

“Now, if it’s okay with you, this plane won’t be landing in Miami.” I check my watch. “I need to get home and take my baby to dinner. She got her GED today.”

I cock my head, reading the unease on his face.

“Something she probably wouldn’t have been able to do if she married you.”

Unsteady fingertips swipe the sweat around his melting hairline. Holding back a laugh, I pose a question.

“Steak or Italian?”

“W-what?”

“Steak or Italian? She’s a little picky, so I was thinking of playing it safe with a steakhouse, but Alonzo was telling me about a new Italian spot he tried. What do you think?”

Bewilderment balloons his already cartoonish disposition. “I—steak is good,” he gets out.

“Yeah, I thought so too.”

I ignore him for the rest of theturnaround flight back to Wildwood and take my phone out of my pocket, making sure I’m connected to the WiFi so I can send a message.

Me: Get dressed, baby. I’m on my way home and I’m taking you to dinner

Delilah: ?

Delilah: I thought you were on a business trip

Me: Was. It’s over. I’m headed back to Wildwood

Delilah: But you just left

Me: Get dressed, menace. Victor will drive you to the restaurant to meet me when you’re ready

Delilah: *gif with narrowed eyes*

Me: Squint your ass to the closet and put something on