Page 34 of Endgame

I get up.

She walks backwards faster. “Watch me.”

“I’m watching you all right.” The remote is set on the lowest intensity. I’m closing in on her just in case she faints and drops to the floor. I want her hurt, not dead. Not damaged. “Come. Here.”

“You’re going to choke me?” She’s right there, at the doorway. A small figure beneath the high ceilings of my home. “Going to walk me like a dog down the aisle? No.No.”

The image she’s planted in my head stokes a flame within me. Every muscle in my body flexes with need.

Her, crawling to me.

Jesus.

“The wedding needs to look legit.”

For all our society’s crimes, treating her like a dog wouldn’t be forgiven. God knows I’ll need these assholes on my side to land the final blow on the Clarkes.

“We will, however, play.” My eyebrows knit together. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll be my wife. My toy. Whatever the hell I want you to be.”

“No.”

“Wow. Another no. Careful, or I’d think you’re getting paid to use this word.”

“Asshole.”

Click.

As soon as I press the button on the remote, electricity jolts her.

Her hand flies to her collar. The other one clutches the doorframe for dear life. “What—what the fuck?”

“She didn’t get to ask questions. Neither do you.” Anger pushes the confession out of me.

I’ve been meaning to keep it a secret. This vulnerability.

Unfortunately, this day has taken its toll on me.

“She?” Aurora’s brow furrows. “Who?”

My features twist into a frown. She has no idea who I’m talking about?

She should have. Though I’ve kept my family’s burial services private and out of the press, she should’ve heard about it. Eleven years have passed since. Eleven years that she’s been coming to the Royalty’s meetings, eleven years that her parents could’ve and should’ve mentioned it to her.

Not my problem.

“Hmm.” Tilting my head, I’m back into my body, clicking the button again.

“Everett, no!” Her nails dig into the doorframe. She’s desperate to stay standing.

“No, no, no.” I’m one foot away, clicking the button one, two, three times.

I’m not sure whether her peaked nipples or her“Fuck, stop doing it to me”get me harder.

I guess both. “This word has no power in this house. And neither do you.”

One click too many. Her eyes roll to the back of her head. Lids flutter shut.

Knees buckling.