SLADE'S POV::
She's gone.
The door slammed a while ago, but the echo's still hanging in the room like smoke.
The woman she chased out has long disappeared, her perfume fading into nothing, yet somehow the place still feels charged, like static after lightning.
I'm still sitting in the same damn spot, shirt unbuttoned halfway, a drink sweating in my hand.
My lips twitch, not quite a smile.
She called me disgusting. Didn't even flinch when she said it.
For someone who swears she doesn't care, she sure as hell looked ready to tear that woman apart for touching me.
I take a slow sip, the whiskey burning down my throat.
That wasn't jealousy, huh? Sure. Keep telling yourself that, Little Rebel.
I glance at the door again, my jaw tightening. I didn't expect her to show up tonight, and I sure as hell didn't expect her to react like that. Or maybe I did.
There was fire in her eyes. Real, wild fire. The kind that makes you want to see how close you can get before it burns you alive.
And God help me, I want to get close.
My tongue grazes the inside of my cheek as I lean back against the couch. The image of her.... trembling, furious and beautiful — keeps looping in my head.
The way her voice cracked when she yelled.
The way she couldn't look away.
She can hate me all she wants, but that reaction…. that wasn't hate.
That was hunger trying to disguise itself as anger.
I chuckle under my breath, low and bitter. "You're in trouble, Rebel," I mutter to no one. "Because you just told me exactly where to hit next."
I grab my shirt and button it lazily, staring at the city lights outside the window.
She'll go back to Nathaniel tonight. Sure.
But that doesn't bother me, because all she'll be thinking of is me. She'll think about what she saw. And will think about what I made her feel.
And that's all I need.
I drain the rest of my drink and toss the glass onto the table, watching it roll until it stops at the edge. My reflection stares back at me from the dark window, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.
"Run all you want, Meeka," I murmur. "You'll still end up right here."
I'm still standing by the window when there's a knock.
"Come in," I say without turning around.
The door creaks open and one of my men steps in, head bowed slightly. "Sir, there's someone here to see you."
I arch a brow, still watching the city lights. "Who?"
He hesitates. "Your mother, sir. Mrs. DeWitt."
That earns my full attention.
My lips curl slowly. "Where is she?"
"Downstairs, in the lounge."
I let out a dry chuckle. "Couldn't even wait a full day, huh? I was honestly getting tired of waiting for her though."
The man says nothing. Smart.
"Alright," I mutter, setting the glass down properly and pushing to my feet. "Let's not keep the queen waiting."
By the time I reach the lounge, she's already there, sitting upright in one of the armchairs, a storm brewing behind that perfectly composed expression. Her pearls glint under the chandelier, but her icy and sharp eyes are aimed straight at me.
I lean against the doorframe, folding my arms, with a half smile tugging at my lips. "You didn't say you were coming to visit me, Vanessa."
Her glare could slice off my head right now if it was possible. "I am your mother, and you will address me properly."
I let out a soft, mocking chuckle. "Alright then, Mother. To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?"
Her lips tighten. "Don't play dumb with me, Slade. You know exactly why I'm here."
"Oh, I'm sure you'll remind me anyway," I drawl.
She stands suddenly, her voice trembling with restrained fury. "What the hell was that display yesterday?"
My brows lift, feigning innocence. "Display?"
"Don't act stupid." Her words come sharp and cold. "I was there, Slade. I saw you."
The smirk slips back onto my face, slow and deliberate. "You saw me what, exactly?"
"You were trying to flirt.... seduce your brother's fiancée right in front of everyone." Her eyes flash.
I tilt my head slightly. "Was I?"
"Don't you dare mock me." Her tone sharpens. "You embarrassed this family. You embarrassed me. What do you want people to start thinking?"
I take a lazy step forward, lowering my voice. "I don't really care what people say."
"Of course you don't. You never did."
She exhales hard, anger trembling through her polished exterior. "You've always had a way of turning everything ugly. Always. Do you have any idea how this could destroy your brother's engagement?"
I shrug. "Maybe it deserves to be destroyed."
Her face pales. "You—"
"What?" I cut in, voice low. "You think I care about the perfect golden boy and his perfect little love story? Please."
Vanessa straightens, trying to steady her tone, but her voice cracks under the strain. "She's going to be your sister-in-law, Slade."
"Maybe that's why it bothers you so much that I tried to seduce her."
"Don't you dare—"
"Relax, Mother," I interrupt, stepping close enough that she can feel my breath. "Nothing will happen. At least not yet."
Oh, something's already happened, alright.
But am I going to tell her?
Not a damn chance.
It's not that I'm afraid of telling her or anyone — fear's never been my thing.
I'm just protecting my Rebel's little secret with me.
For now.
Until the day I decide not to anymore.
"I don't even know why you're back in town. You should have stayed where you've always been. You never attend family events, anyway. So why this one?" She glares daggers, voice trembling.
I grin. "I couldn't refuse my brother's invitation, could I? I mean, he wanted me there. What kind of brother would I be if I didn't honor his invitation?"
Her hand twitches like she's tempted to slap me, but she doesn't. Instead, she squares her shoulders. "You'll stay away from her. That's not a request."
I smile faintly, the kind that makes her jaw tighten. "You know I've never been good at following orders."
"Slade—"
"Good talk, Mom." I move past her, reaching for another glass from the bar. "I have somewhere to go right now."
She knows better than to tell me what to do, or what not to.
She knows how I am. When I want something, I go for it. I don't hide it, and I sure as hell don't back down. I fear no one, and I don't give a damn about anyone.
That's what makes me the black sheep of this perfect little family.
And of course that's why she's here to warn me to stay away from her soon to be daughter-in-law.
Hilarious, isn't it?
Vanessa exhales sharply, shaking her head. "Your father was right about you. You'll destroy everything we've built."
"Correction," I say coolly, straightening up, "he destroyed everything long ago. I'm only helping him complete it."
Her silence cuts sharper than her words ever could.
For a little bit longer than intended, neither of us speaks. Then I take a step back, pocketing my hands. "If that's all, Mother, I've got better things to do than talk about Nathaniel's love life."
"Slade—"
"Goodnight," I cut in smoothly, already turning toward the stairs.
As I walk away, her voice follows me, tight, furious and helpless. "You stay away from that girl, Slade. Do you hear me? Don't you dare touch her."
I don't look back. But I can't stop the smirk that curls at the corner of my lips.
Don't touch her?
Too late for that. Because I've done more than touching her. She's already under my skin, and I'm not letting go.