Page 127 of Coercion

“Ruby…” He begins but I cut across him. Whatever he has to say, I’m just not mentally ready for it.

“How is Jett?”

He sighs. “He’s alive too. He’s recovering but he shouldn’t have any lasting injuries.”

“I can’t believe she shot him.” I whisper but that’s not true.

I do believe it.

I do believe that the woman I’ve come to know over these last few days is capable of murder.

“You knew he was alive.” Preston says.

I nod.

“For how long?”

“A while. He broke in that night I pretended to drop a glass in the kitchen.” I admit.

“Did you know your mother was alive as well?”

I shake my head. “No. I only found that out once Jett kidnapped me.”

He gets up, moving to stare out the window for a moment before he turns around as if whatever words he needs to say, he has to physically prepare himself for.

“Ruby,” He murmurs, taking my hand, dropping to his knees beside the bed.

Despite my best efforts I flinch, it’s not even his touch that makes me flinch, it’s just human touch in general. I’m so used to it resulting in pain now that my mind can’t register that something else might be the result.

“…The Holtz business is yours. All the diamonds, all the mines, all of it belongs to you.”

I blink back, wondering if I’ve misheard him. “What?”

“I’ll sign it over. I’ll have the paperwork drawn up.”

I open my mouth to argue but then it hits me; this moment here is a crossroads, a chance for me to stop playing the victim.

I’ve been passed around like a trophy, from one damned man to another. I’m so sick of feeling helpless, of being powerless,of always being at the whims of men, when it’s my inheritance they’re after.

Mine.

If I’m the Head then I’ll no longer be the one taking orders, I’ll be giving them.

I gulp, wondering if I’m being reckless. Naïve even. I’m twenty one years of age. Would they even let me? Would they let a woman takeover?

But I know if I had a dick they would, they wouldn’t even question it.

And besides, Nico rules with Eleri as his queen. Would it not work similarly with me and Preston, me as Head, and him as my help?

I meet Preston’s searching eyes and give a curt nod back.

I want to do it.

I want to be in charge for once.

I want to take all the broken pieces of my family’s empire and rebuild it, create something beautiful from all the carnage and destruction.

“I’ll have our divorce papers drawn up as well.” He says quietly.

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