Page 119 of Blood and Thorns

It was what I’d wanted, wasn’t it?

Except now the thought of leaving left a strange hollowness in my chest.

“Exactly, but only if you agree to never return.” I watched as he set the cup down with a grimace, my nails continuing to dig into my palms.

“What if I don’t want that?”

“It’s your choice.” Alexander picked up the paperwork, holding it out to me. “So, Miss Grey, what will it be? To continue to wilt in my nephew’s shadow, or will you accept your freedom?”

Chapter 52

Sebastian

I watched as Ryder glanced around my office, his brows raised. “Fuck me, this place is nice. How do I get a membership to thisThornthen?”

“You don’t.”

“Rude,” he chuckled. “But at least I get to meet you with the mask. I get to tell all my friends that I survived a meeting with the notorious Beast. Maybe they’ll buy me a few drinks.”

“You don’t have friends,” Caden muttered, leaning against the door directly behind him. Langdon silently laughed beside him.

Ryder’s smile tightened, and he leaned back so he could look over at Cade. “And who the fuck are you again?”

“Do you have what I asked?” I silently glared at Cade to shut the fuck up. My cousin wrinkled his nose but continued to stand in position.

“Of course, and early, might I add.” Reaching into his pocket, Ryder pulled out a piece of fabric, carefully unwrapping to reveal the brooch I’d asked for. At this point I wasn’t surprised to see it, not when a few more explosives had been found in my other distributions. Venues Milesdidn’t even know existed, which meant there was another snake.

“Do you have the address?” I asked.

“No, I snagged that while the woman in the photograph was out on a morning stroll. She’s pretty hot for someone old, by the way. I’d totally fuck her.”

“Careful,” Caden growled.

“What, she your mum or something?” Ryder grinned, clearly trying to piss Cade off. “I’ll call her a MILF if you’d prefer?”

Langdon took a threatening step forward, only stopped by Caden’s hand on his shoulder.

“Mr Finn…” I clenched my teeth to stop from crushing his head against my desk. “Where did you find her? I need an address.”

He shrugged. “What am I, an estate agent? You never asked for an address, just for the brooch. I tracked it to somewhere in France. Bordeaux, or however you fucking say it.” He lounged back in his chair, swinging his arm out to hook over the back. “So, I think it’s time we discussed my money.”

“It’s already been wired over,” Caden said, his hands moving suspiciously closer to his gun.

“There’s more if you get me the address,” I said. “Double.”

Ryder whistled, his cheeks dimpling as his grin widened. “Double you say, for just an address?”

“It’ll need to be verified, of course,” Caden added. “Including photographic evidence before we release you any more money. You know, in case you try and fuck us over.”

“You’re super untrusting. Has anyone ever told you that?” Ryder chuckled. “But I’m interested. 100k for an address? Easy, I’ll have it with you in the next few days.”Ryder stood, his finger brushing against the diamonds of the brooch. “Pleasure doing business with you, Mr Beast.” He winked at Caden as he left, my cousin stiffening.

“You want to tell us what that’s about?” Langdon signed.

Caden shook his head. “Ryder’s famous for sticking his dick in places it shouldn’t be.”

“Hmm.” I glanced down at the brooch, the diamonds still as bright as I remembered. Picking it up, I felt the weight, turning it over to touch the engraving.

Langdon appeared over my shoulder, stiffening a little before signing out the words for me.