Page 103 of Once A Villain

I swing open my dressing room door, and my stomach sinks. Alicia’s lounging at my vanity like she owns the place.

“What the hell are you doing in my dressing room?”

She glances up through the mirror, disdain dripping from her eyes. Her designer dress and flawless makeup clashing with my sweat-drenched skin and tangled hair.

“I wanted to talk,” she replies coolly, not even bothering to face me.

“Talk about what?” I demand, crossing my arms.

She stands, turns slowly, and smirks. “Seems you’ve been busy, Rory—or should I say Jade?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I retort, struggling to keep my cool.

“Don’t play dumb,” she sneers, stepping closer. She shoves her phone in my face. There’s a picture of me with a client from weeks ago.

“So, I had sex with some random guy. What’s it to you?”

Her smirk widens. “I didn’t think it was possible, but you’ve outdone yourself. Just made yourself even more of a whore.”

“Fuck off, Alicia,” I snap, grabbing the door handle and yanking it open.

“I can ruin you, Rory.” Her voice trails after me. “Your bank statements? Payments from several men, not Sovereign. I could share those details easily.” I turn back, my pulse pounding. Her smirk is infuriating. “And those photos? Imagine what your father would think if he knew his little girl was nothing but a common whore.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” My voice is steady, though my heart races.

“Wouldn’t I?” Her tone drips with false sweetness. “Your father, your brother, even Axel—they’d all be horrified. Do you really want them to find out?”

“I am not a whore,” I snap, my anger boiling over.

“Oh, please. You fuck men for money—that’s the textbook definition of a whore. You could have any Sovereign, but instead, you go after the lowest of the low. Why is that, Rory?”

“Fuck you,” I snarl, stepping closer. “Who I sleep with is none of your goddamn business.”

“No, sweetie. Itismy business when you’re screwing men who aren’t Sovereigns. And getting paid for it. That makes you a traitor. An enemy of the Sovereign.”

“There’s nothing in the oath that says I can’t sleep with non-Sovereigns.”

“But you’re not just fucking them. You’re selling yourself. And according to the oath, that makes you an enemy.”

“I’m not an enemy,” I shoot back, though doubt creeps into my voice.

“Servants must rely on the Sovereign foreverything. That’s the oath. So, tell me, Rory—what do you think the Sovereign would do if they found out about a Siren whoring herself out? Raking in her own cash, just for kicks?”

“How the hell did you get those photos?”

“Doesn’t matter,” she says with a smile that makes me want to slap it off her face. “What matters is what I’m going to do with them. Unless…”

“Unless what?”

“I want your mother’s villa in Venice—the deed, the keys, everything.”

“What?” Shock is evident in my voice. “My father sold that place after she died.”

“No, he didn’t. Your mother left it to you in her will.”

“No way. You’re lying!” My voice trembles, and I’m struggling to keep it together.

“I’m not,” she says triumphantly. “Your mother was clever. She kept a lot from your father, but that estate was always hers. Your name’s on the deed, not his.”

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