Page 4 of Wicked Throne

“How long do you have left?”

“Could be days…could be months or years.”

The nonchalant tone wasn’t helping me. A helpless sinking feeling was beginning to settle in. Rubbing at my temples, my mind became a sea of turmoil.

“What about the business…”

Looking up, I found his chocolate chip eyes starring at me. We shared the same brown eyes, and most people said I had his smile. Without missing a beat.

“This is where Thierry enters the picture,” he shrugged.

“Who?”

“Thierry Scarpetta is going to be your husband,” my father said.

He stood then, straightened himself out, and went around behind the desk. I looked around and over my shoulder at Rex. There was an air of finality hovering about.

The hell it was.

The hell I would.

“Daddy,” I stood.

He looked up.

“I am not marrying some goddamn stranger,” I glared at him.

A smile tilted upon his face. “Baby girl, you can. And you will.”

“Why can’t I just take over the daily operations?”

“Because you’re a woman,” my father said simply.

“You're going to hand over everything to a stranger? A goddamn son of a bitch stranger?”

My father’s eyes narrowed. I had never cursed at this man the way I was now. He was challenging me. I didn’t give a shit if he was the Pope, there was no way in hell I was going to be married off to a stranger while he took what I’d been waiting for my entire life.

“You forget yourself, little girl. Tread carefully.”

I stood and whirled around to walk out of the room. My temper was flaring. I needed to think and I couldn’t do it in this house. My girls would understand. I needed a drink. I needed some dick…

“Daddy, you can kiss my black ass,” I threw over my shoulder.

Rex went to open the door for me but I gave him the middle finger and yanked the door open, smacking him in the chest with it.

“IVY!” I heard my father roar after me. “Get your ass back in here…”

I was sure he was continuing to yell but I’d blocked him out.

Dick.

Liquor.

Those were the things I needed.

I could be as ruthless as any man.

I was my father’s right and truthful heir. There was no way in hell I was going to hand over my kingdom to some man.