Chapter 12
Vanessa was pressed flat against the ornate stone of the fireplace, her sculpted satin gown stained with soot and fear. She stared at the bodies of the Moretti enforcers, the horrific reality of her failed coup finally crushing her aristocratic arrogance.
"Ethan, please," Vanessa begged, her voice cracking, her fair skin completely drained of color. "I'll leave the city. I'll sign over everything. You can't kill me in cold blood."
"Did you show my wife mercy... when you locked her in a lightless tomb?" Ethan asked, his deep, raspy voice utilizing terrifying, controlled pauses. He walked slowly toward her, his polished leather shoes crunching over shattered glass and porcelain.
He stopped inches away, his imposing, deeply masculine presence entirely suffocating the space. He reached out with his tattooed hand, firmly gripping her wrist. He didn't squeeze, but the absolute, unyielding strength of his hold paralyzed her.
With precise, deliberate motion, Ethan slid the massive diamond engagement ring off Vanessa's trembling finger. He held the glittering jewel up to the warm chandelier light.
"You wore this ring... like a crown," Ethan whispered softly. "While the true queen... starved in the dark."
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He dropped the heavy diamond onto the floor. With a slow, calculated shift of his weight, Ethan brought his heel down, grinding the multimillion-dollar stone into the marble until the platinum band warped and snapped.
"Your reign... is over," Ethan stated coldly. He didn't raise his weapon. He turned his back on her, pulling out his encrypted smartphone. "Marcus. Send a clean-up crew to the dining hall. And escort our guest to the subterranean holding cells. Ensure she is placed in the exact cage where she kept my wife."
