Page 69 of Queens

I leave before he says anything else. I don’t care to hear his opinions and commentary on Wren or my behavior toward Rexton. I already feel guilty, and I don’t need him adding to it. He loves to do so, the bastard constantly rubbing salt in my wounds. He takes sick pleasure in it.

I teleport to Rexton’s office.

The hallway is empty, thank the heavens, and I give the door a sharp knock before welcoming myself inside. I don’t care to linger in the hallway, not when anybody could round the corner and see me.

I’ve spun up enough drama, and I’m not eager to create more.

Rexton is sitting behind his desk. He’s flicking through a stack of paperwork, and he lets out a long sigh as I step into the room and shut the door behind me.

“What do you want?”

I ignore his cold greeting. “I have something for you.”

I slide the card across his desk, my heart pounding. I don’t do this often, and I’m nervous. Rexton is my sworn enemy, yet I’m giving him handwritten cards and paying for his sex workers.

Rexton takes my card, his eyebrows pulling together as he reads my carefully crafted apology. He takes a long minute to respond, and the seconds are agonizing. He must be doing it intentionally. He enjoys making me sweat.

Finally, he clears his throat. “What is this?”

“An apology.” What else would it be? It’s fairly obvious.

“This isn’t much of an apology.”

I grind my teeth, beyond frustrated. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Rexton glances between me and the letter. He’s wearing this stupid, confused expression, and I cross my arms over my chest as I wait for his explanation. After an excruciating second, he chuckles.

I jolt, not expecting that reaction.

“What’s so funny?” I hiss.

“Nothing.” Rexton clears his throat, setting my letter on his desk. “I didn’t realize you were being genuine. My apologies.”

Of course I’m being genuine. “That’s not all,” I say. “A succubus is waiting for you in your apartment.”

Rexton blinks. “What?”

“A succubus. She should be at your apartment any minute now.”

“How do you know where I live?” Rexton shakes his head. “That doesn’t even matter. In what world do you think it’s appropriate to hire me a succubus?”

I open my mouth, then shut it. This isn’t the reaction I expected. I anticipated Rexton would teleport away the moment he heard a succubus was waiting for him. He’d be pleased with my apology and tell everybody that he’s forgiven me.

“You can’t…” Rexton pauses, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I give it that you don’t have much experience apologizing.”

I shrug. “It’s not something I make a habit of doing.”

“Obviously.”

An awkward silence falls over us. I run my tongue over my top teeth, unsure where to go from here. I never considered the possibility that Rexton might not appreciate my card and succubus. I was confident it would work.

I move to grab the card off Rexton’s desk, wanting it back, but he snatches it up before I make contact. My hands curl into fists, and I shove down a snarky remark as I meet Rexton’s eye.

“Give it back.”

“No.”

“Why?”