Page 12 of King of Ashes (Kingdom of Sinners #4)

His fingers tighten briefly before releasing me. "I’ll make sure they follow your orders related to the house management and the wedding.”

Maybe this would be an opportunity to find a way to better safeguard Brigit. "Fine. But I can't coordinate everything if I'm locked in my room with guards watching my every move."

"Careful what you ask for, love. More freedom means more chances to disappoint me."

"I'm not asking for freedom." I gave up on freedom the day my father told me he’d killed the Ifrinns. "I'm asking for the ability to do what you want. Unless you'd prefer a disaster of a wedding that makes you look weak to the other families?"

His jaw tightens, but I see the calculation in his eyes. He knows I'm right.

"You'll have access to the main areas of the house," he says finally. "But step, one toe out of line, and this deal is over. I’ll torch everyone and everything you hold dear.”

I do my best to hide the shudder of fear. "I need access to a phone and a laptop. Your men confiscated mine.”

He gives me a smug smile, like he feels he’s won. Would he be angry if I told him I’ve thrown the match? "You'll have what you need to get the job done. Nothing more. And remember, I'll be watching. Every. Single. Move."

"Understood." I keep my voice neutral. "Now, can I get started, or would you like to waste more time with threats and humiliation?"

He smirks. “This is going to be interesting. I hope I don’t regret it.

” He walks to the door to leave but pauses and looks over his shoulder at me.

"Tell me. Were you really going to follow through back there?

Drop to your knees and suck my cock in front of everyone like the obedient little wife you're pretending to be? "

“I guess we won’t know. I wonder why you stopped me since sexual humiliation seems to be your goal. I have to say I’m surprised.”

“Really?” He looks more intrigued than annoyed.

I shrug, trying to act nonchalant. “It’s so unoriginal. For all your talk about how you’d be different, you’ve become just like my father.”

For a moment, I think I’ve gone too far. The rage firing in his eyes, the way his fists clench, I’m pretty sure I won’t be planning a wedding. Instead, I’ll be planning funerals.

“Careful, Keira. You don’t really want to test that theory, do you?”

I say nothing.

Our gazes hold and for a moment, I wonder if he’s thinking the same thing as I am.

What happened to the young couple who’d been so in love?

But then it’s gone, and I have to accept that to him, I'm nothing but a means to an end. The girl he once loved is as dead as he was supposed to be. Today, we’re a twisted version of the past, him the vengeful master, me the conquered prize.

"Nothing to say?" His lips curl into a cruel smile. "That's new.”

What can I say? That each degrading comment chips away at what's left of my soul? That every time he treats me like a possession instead of a person, I die a little more inside? That’s the point. I’m not going to give him the satisfaction.

No. He can control my body, my movements, even my wedding. But I won't let him see how deeply he wounds me. I have too much at stake to break now.

“I can see the wheels of your mind spinning, Keira. What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?”

“Nothing important.”

He leans against the doorjamb like he’s settling in for a long discussion. “I’ll be the judge of that. Come on, tell me. Are you imagining all sorts of ways to kill me?”

“What? No.” And it’s true. I might want him gone, but I don’t want him dead. What has killing ever achieved?

His brow furrows as if he didn’t expect my reaction. But he recovers quickly. “What are you thinking?” he demands.

“Fine, you want to continue to kick me when I’m down.

I’m thinking you can parade me around like a trophy, use me to prove your dominance, even force me to my knees in front of everyone.

And it’s a profound disappointment to me that you find such glee in it.

I wouldn’t have thought you, of all people… ”

His eyes darken. “This is what you get after you and your father took everything from me.”

“Something tells me your father wouldn’t?—”

“You shut the fuck up about my father.” His finger jabs toward me and I know I’ve again crossed a line. “You need to accept things as they are now, Keira.”

I lower my head, a move I learned to do a long time ago when having to yield to my father.

“I know how things are now. I have no power.

No control." I spread my arms wide, offering myself up like a sacrifice.

"So go ahead. Humiliate me. Degrade me. Show everyone how thoroughly you've conquered the Kean princess if it makes you feel good.

You want to break me. To make me feel as helpless and betrayed as you did. "

Something flickers in his eyes, but it doesn’t appear to be violent rage. His face twists. Pain and confusion war in his expression before the mask slams back into place. He turns sharply, his shoulders rigid as he strides out the door.

I sink back wondering why I keep challenging him like that. It’s stupid. At the same time, I may be powerless, but I'm not broken. Not yet. And as long as Brigit needs me, I'll find a way to survive whatever cruel games Phoenix has planned.

I replay those last moments with Phoenix, surprised he didn’t lash out stronger. The quick flashes of something other than anger make me wonder if there is still a part of him that is good. He clearly remembers our past. Is it possible to bring him back?

I shake my head. What we had is dead and gone. Whatever good is left in him won’t be spared on me. And I deserve every bit of his contempt. My family destroyed his, and I've carried that guilt for a decade.

But Brigit doesn't deserve to be caught in this web of vengeance. She's the only pure thing in this whole mess. The thought of Phoenix using her as another tool to break me terrifies me.

Phoenix wants a submissive bride to parade in front of Boston's elite? Fine. I'll give him exactly what he wants. I'll plan his perfect wedding, smile at all the right moments, play the role of the conquered princess. Whatever it takes to keep Brigit safe.

My reflection stares back at me from the window glass. I’m shaken and afraid but not defeated. I rise from the seat, knowing I’ve got work to do. One week to plan a wedding. One week to convince everyone I'm the willing bride. One week to figure out how to protect what matters most.