Throne of Truth

I have to change that.

Placing my hand on Greg’s chest, I disguised my shuddering fingers with a breathy laugh. “You know...I agree with something else you said, too.”

His eyes widened then narrowed with suspicion. “Agree with me? That will be a first.”

I nodded, licking my lips, taking a step to the left, doing my best to ignore the sound of the chain dragging on the floor behind me. “Belle Elle could be ours.”

Another step, guiding his attention from the door. “You and me.”

He followed, trying to sniff out my agenda. “What do you mean?”

“I mean if you’d work harder once Belle Elle was yours, then perhaps that’s an option.”

He smirked coldly. “And why should I believe this sudden change of heart?”

Another step, three-quarters turned from the door. He swiveled to follow me with every footfall I took.

“Can’t I change my mind?”

“You can, but it’s odd you change it now.” His hand cupped my cheek, running his thumb over the bruise he’d given me. “Strange that you turn cooperative just before I show you how good we are together.”

I swallowed bile as I stroked my finger down his chest, drawing a circle around his open belt buckle. “You scared me. But if you’re nice to me—like you promised—I can be nice to you.”

The sexual reference scalded my tongue, but Greg’s eyes glowed. “Oh yeah? How nice are we talking?”

Another step and his back was toward the exit. Over his shoulder, I hid my victory smirk as the door cracked open with a sliver of warm sunshine.

Penn’s livid gaze locked on mine.

I looked away, staying in character, and not giving in to the crazed patter of my heart.

He was bloody and broken. Smeared with rust and torn on the shoulder, he still wore his white shirt and silver trousers from the charity gala. He moved silently but with a stiffness that wasn’t there before.

What the hell happened to him?

Doesn’t matter.

Keep going.

Keep Greg distracted.

I moved closer to my enemy, tugging his belt, sliding it through his jean loops. “I can be very, very nice.” I fluttered my eyelashes. “I’ve grown up a lot the past month. I know how to please.”

Penn moved closer.

I daren’t glance up. I couldn’t afford to see how angry he was at my flirting or how angry I was at his fibs. We were furious with each other.

Good, fury is better than lust.

“That right?” Greg’s hand landed on my shoulder, squeezing, adding downward pressure just like Penn did when he taught me a lesson and ordered me to suck him in my office.

I couldn’t be on my knees. I had to watch Penn behind Greg’s back, so I could get out of the way at the right time.

I giggled—I never giggled—but I amped up the flirt to terrible levels. “How about we discuss the terms first, and then I’m nice to you?”

“You already know the terms.” He grabbed my hand, spinning the engagement ring on my finger. “This means you’re mine. Everything you own is mine. That’s the deal, Elle.”

“And my body? Is that yours, too?”

He looked down at my breasts with a hungry glare. “Fuck yes, it is.”

Nausea splashed my stomach as I stroked his chest, moving back up his body away from the hardness in his pants. “And your body? Is that mine in return?”

He licked his lips. “It is if you want it.”

I dared look over his shoulder as Penn slowly slinked from the doorway into the living room. His eyes met mine again, narrowed and dark and full of murder. His fists clenched with no other weapon but his hate.

He was utterly sublime.

And totally terrifying.

My skin shivered with a mixture of frustration and appreciation. I’d felt something for him. I could’ve been happy with him. But the truth shattered that.

I was glad he was here, and this situation warranted gratitude, but after that...I never want to see him again.

Tearing my eyes back to Greg, I counted the seconds until I could stop this pantomime and let Penn incapacitate him.

Placing my hand over Greg’s heart, the chain around my wrists dangled, nudging his erection with morbid jewelry. “Yes, I want it.”

He wrapped his arms around my waist, wedging himself against me. “In that case, be a good girl and get in the bedroom. I’ll make it good for you if you make it good for me. That’s all I ever wanted, Elle.”

I giggled again even though I wanted to strangle him. “Okay...”

Penn sneaked forward, his eyes darting between me in Greg’s arms and his feet on the floorboards, searching for squeaky spots.

“Let’s go.” Greg moved forward, his head turned toward the kitchen. If his peripheral was any good, he’d see Penn and all my lying and touching would’ve been for nothing.

“Wait!” I grabbed his face, holding his gaze with mine. “Don’t go, not yet.”

His eyebrows knitted together, dark blond hair cascading over his forehead. “Why the fuck not?” Temper tightened his eyes. “If you’re playing a game—”

“No game—” Panic made me blurt rather than hum with sexual intrigue.

Penn inched closer.

A floorboard creaked.

Greg’s nostrils flared as he twitched to look over his shoulder.

I did the only thing I could.

The only thing I could think of.