Page 145 of The Obedient Lie

Ownedevery room we walked into.

But this was different.

Because I was walking towardher.

She was mid-laugh when she saw me. Sitting at that long table like a fucking dynasty heirloom—perfect posture, pink lips, hair tucked behind one ear. Surrounded by other girls who looked like magazine spreads and married power. She was shining, confident, smug like she hadn’t just turned this place on its head with one sentence.

She was ours.

And she said it out loud.

I didn’t slow down. Didn’t blink. Just stalked through the white-gloved servers and crystal glasses, knocking someone’s napkin off their lap as I passed.

Her smile faded when she saw my eyes.

The air changed.

I came right up beside her chair, the kind carved from mahogany with gold filigree—fit for royalty, because that’s what this fucked-up school thought it was breeding. I didn’tcare. My hand wrapped around the back of her neck, pulling her to me in one fluid, unshakeable motion.

Gasps.

Chairs scraped.

“Good. Fucking. Girl.”

I said it low, my mouth right at her ear.

She went still. Entire table watching. Forks paused midair. I heard someone whisper my name. Then I kissed her.

Hard.

Deep.

Mine.

None of the politeness, none of the restraint we’d been pretending with. Her lips parted, and I didn’t give her time to think. Just took. Claimed. Branded her in front of every last heir, heiress, enemy, and legacy in this goddamn building.

She leaned into it—and I saw her hands tighten on the edge of the table like she needed something to hold onto.

When I finally pulled back, her eyes were wide. Dazed.

Still mine.

Her voice came out quiet. Breathless.

“What… what was that for?”

I dragged my thumb across her bottom lip.

“For saying you fuck two brothers,” I said low. “For saying you’reours.”

She touched her lips like they burned, and maybe they did. Maybe shelikedthe way it burned.

“You heard about that?” Her voice was small. She blinked, once, twice, and I couldfeelthe realization settle behind her eyes. The crackle of nerves. Of heat.

I tilted my head, slow and deliberate, my fingers never leaving her jaw.

“Baby… you said it in the hall. Right in front of a dynasty heir.”