THE WIFE YOU LEFT

L'S

espect was a currency I never ran short of. In every boardroom, back alley, and underground ci

ime I closed my eyes. Revenge. I'd returned to finish what had started years ago, blood debts left unpaid. I w

focus slipping. Sea, my six-year-old daughter, had seemed out of sorts, her usual bright c

aid, her voice tiny and cracked. "I n

maids here at all times," I offered, voice low, as though it might comfort her. But Sea had lo

sisted, crossing her little a

he was the one person in my life I'd never say no to. She

n obedient woman to keep her company, to stand beside me in public, and, possibly, to provide more children for the Black

se Grayson. She was exactly what I needed: an obedient toy, someone

know what awaited her. I could see the frailty in her figure, the paleness of her skin against the evening shadows. Her hair hung limp around her sh

s per

what was about to unfold. My daughter didn't need to see this sid

akable, and a sick sense of satisfaction churned within me. This was the woman who'd be in my hou

my ear, but I saw the defiance in her e

stretching out until I saw her start to s

expression hardened. "Well, if I hadn't been forced down here with no

had spirit-perhaps more than I expected. I'd

er movements brisk and obedient. "Take her to the gues

ked up at me, fiery rebellion in her tired eyes. "I'm not going

between us in one swift move. My hand shot out, wrapping around her neck, holding her

I said, "I. Do. N

here was a fragility to her, sure, but there was fire too. It intrigued me-she i

t she didn't look away. Her pride was still there, simmering beneath the surface, e

a tentative hand on her shoulder

her retreating form, my mind turning over the possibilities. I would seriously break her, mold her into what

-mine to shape, to control. Every last piece of her would belong to me, a

maid lead her up the stairs. Avery's defiance was something I'd enjoy quash