Page 98 of Velvet Corruption

Tristan scoffed. “What plan? Seduce her into submission? Hope she forgets what she stands for because your cock’s halfway memorable?”

My fists clenched at my sides. “You said to use what I had.”

“What you had,” he shot back. “Past tense. Before you started looking at her like she was more than leverage.”

“I haven’t forgotten the job.”

“But you forgot the stakes.” His voice cracked like a whip. “This isn’t just about her. This is about the family. And if she brings us down—if you let her—then it’s on you.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

He stepped in again, too close. “I think you’ve got your dick making decisions for you.”

“Fuck you,” I bit out, low and dangerous. “I’ve bled for this family.”

“So bleed a little more. You think I care how you feel about her? I don’t. But I need to know you’re still mine when it counts.”

There it was. The real fear. That he was losing control—not just of me, but of the whole fucking board.

“I’ll handle it,” I said through gritted teeth.

“You said that weeks ago.”

“She’s smarter than we thought.”

“She’s smarter than you,” he snapped.

My jaw locked. “Then maybe I like that.”

Tristan’s face went still. Like a shutter closing behind his eyes. “You’re not supposed to like her. You’re supposed to ruin her.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and taut.

He let go of my shirt, shoving me back with a single palm to the chest. I staggered half a step, caught myself.

“Fix this,” he said. “Or I will.”

I straightened my collar. “And if I don’t?”

His expression didn’t waver. “Then I’ll burn it all down. Her included.”

A beat. My pulse roared in my ears.

“You’re not Malachy,” I said, quiet.

He stared at me. Said nothing.

Took a sip of his whiskey. Then, finally:

“I sure fucking hope not.”

I opened my mouth to say something—anything—but he cut me off with a raised hand, sharp and final.

“But if I have to act like him,” Tristan said, “then that’s on you.”

Chapter Twenty-Two: Ruby

Time moved fast when you were trying to forget someone. Faster when that someone was your mobster ex. Even faster when you were running for District Attorney.