Page 113 of The Crowned Garza

“You see, usually when we find people of your caliber, we have to employ unsavory methods to induct them. Quite a lot of our members aren’t there of their own volition. If they’re given even an inkling of opportunity to skedaddle, they’ll be gone without a second thought. Torin Garza, your Anointed, is one of those people. He didn’t ask for this. He doesn’t want it.”

She gets up from the couch and moves around the coffee table until she’s in front of me. Takes a seat on the edge, her knees almost brushing mine. Leans slightly forward, giving me a perfect view of her voluminous cleavage. “Butyoudo. You appreciate what we have to offer and youworkedfor it. While the others see us as villains, you see us as opportunity. Your uncle Adamo is the same. That’s why he’s a favorite of ours. There’s nothing we won’t do for him.

“So we would like to offer youmore, Santo. You have earned more than being a Crown. You deserve to stand in your own power, not in an Anointed’s shadow. More command, more wealth, more protection, more subjects at your fingertips. You, Santo Luciani, are kingmaker material. And in a few years, I have no doubt you’ll impress us so much that we will be offering you a Chair. Andoh, the control you could have as a Chair in The O…”

Rubbing my palm along my jaw, I pretend to think about it. “Does Tor know you’re offering me this?”

“Torin worksforus,” she says sharply. “We don’t need to discuss our intentions with him. If you accept the offer, he will need to find a new Crown. Or take whoever we assign him.”

Figured.“No.”

“No?”

“My loyalty is to Torin Garza first, The O second.”

Her snaky emerald eyes morph to green ice as she grits out, “Your loyalty is toThe O.”

“Torin Garza,” I correct. “Even if you were to snip him from The O, strip his power and privilege, I’ll still be loyal to him. Sure, my intentions were straightforward when I first attached myself to him with feigned loyalty. But overtime, he earned my genuine and unwavering loyalty. My dedication to him became more than securing a place in The O a long time ago.”

Her thunderous expression tells me she’s unfamiliar with rejection. She represents power and poise, threat and death, corruption and carnage. She’s the embodiment of intimidation and seduction. No one would dare tell her no.

But if she truly believed I would’ve given any other answer, then she hasn’t been paying as much attention to me as she thought.

I’ve never been avaricious. Not for power, not for money. Never cared about ego, approval, notoriety, or acceptance.

My interest has always rested in fixing, helping, building, troubleshooting, beinga part of. That’s why Papa hated me so much. I never cared about the things he wanted me to care about.

I’m comfortable being behind the curtains. Working from the shadows. Beneath the surface. The engine under the hood. Planting roots. Building strong foundations, indestructible fortresses. Elevating and mending. Seen and heard only when necessary.

Kingmaker? Chair? Fuck no.

Not who I am or will ever be.

There’s no way that after a decade of supposedly watching me and being “fascinated” that she doesn’t know this.

Straightening, she smooths out her dress. “Take some time tothinkcarefully about this.”

As she’s leaving, I call after her, “I never got your name.”

She stops and looks at me over her shoulder. “Jhay.” Another slow, poisonous smile. “Jhay Byrd.”

She waits for the realization to hit me before she throws me a knowing wink and saunters off to the elevator.

Jhay Byrd, meaningJB. The chief commander of The O.

The chief commander that only a select few have direct contact with. The chief commander that requires an appointment months in advance for a simple phone call. The chief commander that very few members have ever evenseen.

The chief commander known only as JB.

Might be sexist of me, but from some of the horror stories I’ve heard, not for a moment did I ever imagine JB was a woman. At least, not one who looks likethat.

The woman is walking seduction. Carnal. The personification of sexual sin.

Someone world leaders fear.

Power, control, she wields so much of it. If notallof it.

And I just sat here, looked her in the eyes, and rejected her.