Gabriel looked at me with a steadiness that felt carved from stone. "For generations, the seat has only ever been taken by a Hart. How could I take it?"
"You must have misunderstood me," he continued before I could speak. "Your grandfather didn't just adopt me. He had many children in his life, but legally he only ever claimed one more. Logan. You'll meet him soon. You'll meet the whole family."
He studied my face, his voice softening just enough to unsettle me. "I know it seems like I'm asking too much of you, Star."
"You're asking me to become a Don," I said, my voice cracking. "I didn't even finish college and I—"
"Was your resolve really this shallow?" he cut in, and something inside me snapped.
"Fuck off," I said, surprising myself with how quickly the anger rose. "I just lost the only thing I had left. How can you even ask me that?"
