Forbidden Fate (Crowne Point 3)

Grayson’s cold voice drifted down the table. “Look me in the eyes.”

It felt like he was talking to me. An audible pause followed, and I followed the eyes of everyone to what had them so stunned.

Grayson had spoken to a servant.

I tried to jerk out of West’s grip, but his hold turned bruising.

“West, everyone—”

“Is watching Grayson now.” He grinned, leaning closer, like he was going to kiss me at the fucking table.

“Grayson…” Tansy’s light-as-a-feather voice warned.

“I think it’s time we stop having the servants walk around with their fucking tails between their legs.”

One of Grayson’s aunts coughed. “I think, I…read something about a blizzard this weekend.”

Grayson stared at me as he spoke, and the heat in my neck rose. My heart pounded as West locked on my lips.

“What if they look?”

“So what? I’m your husband.”

West pressed his lips against mine, kissing me deeper than before, harder. My lips parted on a gasp. My eyes stayed wide open on the table, darting around to see if anyone would turn from Grayson.

Don’t kiss him again, Snitch.

Grayson’s warning played over and over again on repeat.

When West pulled back, Grayson was watching, jaw clenched.

“If this is how I have to have you, Angel. For now it’s okay.”

West stressed for now with a growl.

I stood up so quickly the plates on either side of me wobbled.

“I need…air.”

“It won’t blizzard for the party,” Tansy said with certainty.

“You can’t control the weather, too, Mother,” Gemma said, voice fading as I left the hall.

This was bad.

This was wrong.

Something twisted was growing between all four of us.

I’d barely left the dining hall when the servant from inside stepped in my path. I think his name was Jared. I exhaled.

“Listen, can we do the whole bullying thing later?”

“No—I…I wanted you to know there are servants on your side, Story. We loved Woodson, and we don’t think what they’re doing to you is okay. It’s gone too far. And, for the record”—he looked over his shoulder, probably having been away from his station for too long—“I didn’t want that photo out there. I don’t know how Mr. Crowne stopped it; I’m just glad he did.”

Jared started to walk away.

“Wait. What photo?”