Page 51 of On Edge

Severin’s jaw tightens. “Is that a fact?”

“I deal only in facts, Mr. Severin, from legitimate sources. Like the ones that tell me anonymous investments with no paper trail funded your rapid rise to wealth. And now I’m here…” He glances at me and flashes a smile. “I’m very curious.”

Severin bares his teeth, but then his jaw locks and his eyes darken. I’m expecting him to blurt out something assholey like, “Go fuck yourself.”

Instead, he says softly. “Careful, Ragg.”

But Tobias doesn’t hear him or care, and carries on, stalking toward him. “I have to say, there was a lot of money to be made after the Swanleys lost this place. Finding the Lovett’s daughter living in your house raises some interesting questions about the nature of your business relationship with her family, doesn’t it? You overpaid for this dump, three times over what it’s worth after the Lovett’s stripped it bare. Why is Lovett’s daughter here, Troy? What twisted deals have you done this time?”

Severin’s eyes cut through the dark hallway. “She’s here because she’smine.”

Ragg falters. “Yours?”

“Myfiancé.”

I stare at Severin with an open mouth.

Tobias looks at Severin and then back at me.

“I didn’t know you were getting married. Did I miss an announcement?” But then something shifts behind Tobias’ gaze as Severin comes over to stand beside me, and he slips a fake smile into place. “But, my mistake. Congratulations to you both. When’s the big day?”

“Next week.” Severin’s voice is silk on steel, one hand clasping around my waist. I’m still in shock as he pulls me towards him, almost protectively.

Or possessively.

One of the two.

“Oh?” Tobias smirks. “That’s soon. You must be exhausted from planning, Miss Lovett. Is that why you were resting?” His eyes switch to me. His attention feels like insects crawling over my skin.

I feel stiff in Severin’s arms, like a marionette with broken strings. I’ve forgotten how to move. Until he grips my waist so tight that it almost hurts.

“Oh, I—I was.” I give a little gasp.

“She’s had a busy few days. We’re planning it together,”Severin adds.

Tobias’s brows raise. “Oh, despite the Harper Black deal in the works?” He keeps staring at me, though, like he knows I’m the weakest link.

Severin laughs, but he’s not happy. I feel it in his iron fingers as they dig in. “We’re in love. What can I say?”

I’m still staring open-mouthed at Severin when he tells Tobias he must come to the wedding next Sunday.

13

TROY

Watching Tobias Ragg’s hand rest near Sage on the billiard table makes me want to break every finger, one by one. He’s explaining the game of pool to her, even though it’s not the right table for it, leaning in close. What’s worse is that she’s smiling at him. To her credit, she keeps inching away. But she’s too damn polite.

She should shove that damn cue in his throat.

Instead, she stands there like a nervous little songbird, chirping away at him. It’s the most words I’ve heard her speak since she got here.

It’s my fault. When everyone moved to the den for drinks to celebrate our upcoming wedding—Ragg’s bloody idea—I wasn’t able to come up with a reason to refuse, not without coming across as a complete dick and screwing the interview.

But now my fingers are itching to go over there and slice that damn smirk off Ragg’s face. If only I didn’t need him to write that damn piece about me first. A wedding announcement will make it even better. It implies stability, legitimacy, and ties to established families. Even if Mundel disagrees.

I don’t give a damn what Mundel thinks. He works for me, not the other way around. He’s already made his excuses and left, shooting me a look that said,You’ve made your bed, now lie in it.

Bastard.