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Rexton takes several seconds to collect himself.

“Is this how you wish things to be?” he eventually asks. “I can’t have professional interactions with women? That isn’t—”

I cut him off. “Professional interaction? Is that what you call that?”

I gesture wildly toward where the woman was standing just a minute ago.

Rexton nods. “Yes. It’s exactly what I would call that.”

Liar. He’s a liar.

I force out a laugh. “And I’m sure when she’s riding your cock, you’ll also call it—”

It’s Rexton’s turn to interrupt. “What are you talking about?”

I jab a thumb into my chest. “I’m not an idiot, Rexton. Donottreat me like one.”

Rexton steps back, running his hands down his face. He’s overwhelmed with me, which is humorous, considering I’m the one who just walked in on him preparing to cheat on me.

The bite on my neck has yet to heal, and already, he’s seeking the company of another woman. I should have known better. I’ve heard the stories. I know all about Rexton’s past. He can pretend to be a good man all he wants, but I know the truth. He’s a whore.

I only wish I’d seen it before I bit him, before I permanently tied our lives together.

“You were going to fuck her!” I accuse him.

Rexton physically recoils. “I most definitely was not.”

“Yes, you were.”

“No. I was not.” Rexton leans against his desk, his arms crossed over his chest. “She works for Lust’s treasury, and I was hoping to get a tentative agreement in place should things with Prince Nolic escalate. We’ll need resources, and I was gauging her interest in providing financial aid.”

The painful sensation in my gut loosens, and I let out a quiet breath. “Why?”

“Because despite the family ties, Wrath and Lust operate as two separate kingdoms. I can’t ignore the formal processes and go straight to your brother for money,” he states. I suck my cheeks into my mouth. Rexton continues. “My job requires that I meet with people, menandwomen. I can’t change that, Cassia.”

“I don’t care that you meet with women,” I say. I’m crazy, but notthatcrazy. I meet with men all the time. It’s part of the job.“But she…” I swallow past the lump in my throat. I don’t think he knows who she is. “She fucked Wren.”

Rexton chews at his bottom lip, his eyebrows pulled together. He looks confused and mildly angry. It’s an interesting combination.

“Who is Wren?” he finally asks.

He doesn’t know who Wren is? Everybody knows who Wren is. Our breakup was a massive scandal, especially when people found out it was caused by me walking in on him balls deep inside another woman.

Has Rexton doneanyresearch on me? I sure looked into him, and I assumed he did the same to me. Why wouldn’t he? Was he not interested enough to look into my past? He should’ve been. I was his number-one threat. I still am.

“Wren is—” I don’t know how to describe him. I don’t enjoy thinking about him, much less discussing him. “We dated several years ago. He cheated on me with that woman. I walked in on it.”

“And you thought…” Rexton shakes his head. “In what world do you think I would cheat on you, Cassia?” I shrug. Rexton continues. “We’re mated, and I know we haven’t been together for very long, but that means something to me.Youmean something to me.”

I huff. “Until I no longer serve you.”

Rexton’s voice grows quiet. “What do you mean by that?”

“Until I no longer serve you,” I repeat. “Until you’ve gotten what you want from me and decide I’m no longer worth the hassle. It’s only a matter of time before you realize I have nothing more to offer.” I turn, pacing the length of the room. I’ve never admitted this out loud, but it’s true. “I am a deeply flawed individual. Let’s not pretend otherwise. My title is all I have to offer, and I’ve already given it to you.”

Rexton stares at me with a slack jaw, almost like he’s genuinely surprised by what I’m saying. I don’t understand why. I’ve said nothing more than the objective truth. Everybody knows it.

I’ve heard the whispers—the rumors. I know what the people of Wrath think of me. They think I’m spoiled. They don’t think I’ll make a strong leader. They hate me.