Page 127 of Inside the Wicked

“I’m flattered,” I say, but I’m the opposite. I don’t know what it means, but Jacob does everything with a purpose.

Jacob stops, curving around to face me. “I hoped you would be,” he murmurs, low and personal, before bringing my knuckles to his mouth.

I can’t stop my eyes, which flick to Rhett this time with my growing discomfort. His jaw is tightly set, and though he’s tryingto let Rix and Adam distract him, the corners of his eyes are blazing on Jacob.

I gasp when Jacob’s fingers grip my chin, tearing my sight from Rhett back to him. His hold isn’t enough to bruise, but it’s a warning.

“You’re mine tonight,” he says.

“Then why did you even invite him?” I bite out.

I’m trying to stay on his good side, but he’s making it too fucking difficult.

“Because you wouldn’t have come otherwise.”

We lock stares, and a shiver of realization snakes down my spine. It turns to ice when he smiles slowly as if he can see my thoughts right through my eyes.

I came with Rhett, but Jacob doesn’t plan for me to leave with him.

“Why did you want me here?” I ask.

“You’ll see, my love.”

“I’m not your?—”

“Come. I have guests eager to meet America’s first daughter.”

I’m led over to a table of men, and while they greet each other I risk a quick look, only needing to keep track of exactly where Rhett is. He’s by the bar with Adam and Rix.

“A great honor to meet you, Miss Kinsley,” an older gentleman says.

I plaster on a smile.

Smile and pretend.

“It’s an impressive tale to hear of your dedication to Mr. Forthson,” another says, sipping his whiskey.

Jacob’s arm curves around my waist. I wasn’t anticipating how bold he would be with me. I try not to let my confusion show.

Jacob says, “When you find the right one, it’s worth shaking a country for.”

“What an admirable engagement gift, an entire venue for your bride,” another comments.

Then I think I understand.No. He can’t possibly mean ...?

The squeeze of his hand on my waist echoes like a siren. It turns in my stomach, and I blink away my dizzy sweep.

Jacob pulls me away from that group, and as he leads me to another, I take the moment alone to voice my dismay.

“You said you wouldn’t want me if I had to be bought,” I snap under my breath.

“I haven’t paid a cent for you,” he replies calmly.

“We had a deal.”

“One that you broke, and I don’t like to be made a fool of, Anastasia.” He turns me into him when we hit a shadowed patch of the room, out of the light. His expression falls, frightening. “As I hear, Silas has allied with Alistair in exchange for a woman and the majority running of his network in private, so long as Alistair remains the head in public. I had hoped to hear it from you. Perhaps we could have worked something else out. Now I’m furious yet still absolutely smitten with you. This is my resolution. To have you. Break you and reshape you. As for Kaiser, he’ll get to watch it all. He’ll guard you, be close to you, watch as you fall for me and listen behind the wall as I fuck you.”

That jerks me back, but his hands tighten on my waist.

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