He could’ve left before my men got into his family’s house, but he’d stayed with his mother and his sisters instead. The only question was just how much he was willing to sacrifice so that his family would live. Desmond wouldn’t even move a finger, but James... Well, we’d see what he’d do. At least he’d helped me infuriate Desmond enough to make my win a tad more satisfying.

“You fucking idiot. I shouldn’t have let you stay with your mother,” Desmond muttered when James picked up the pen. James had made a decision quicker than I’d thought he would, and I wondered if he’d even read the whole contract, or if he was just tired of everything and wanted it to end. If he didn’t sign, he and his family would definitely die. And if he did it, at least they’d get to live, and maybe even him too. It wasn’t that bad of a deal. Hell, even I would’ve gone with Desmond if that had ensured my family would stay alive. But he would’ve never offered anyone a deal.

Once James pressed his finger to the scanner and the deal was officially done, I met Desmond’s gaze that was filled with pure hatred. If he could, he would’ve bashed my skull in. I grabbed my gun and pointed it at his forehead.

“Enjoy hell while knowing that everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve will be mine, and your name will be forever tainted by this contract. Today will be known as the day the Ezzatis bowed to the Montis, as it should’ve always been.” I didn’t wait for him to say anything. I just pulled the trigger.

Throwing my head back, I took a deep breath. It was done. I was free. I was finally free of the Ezzatis and I’d completed my revenge, but as I looked down at Desmond’s body, I realized that not much had changed. Why didn’t this make me feel any better? I pushed myself off the desk and headed outside. Maybe the full realization of the achievement I’d made today hadn’t yet hit me.

“Take what we need and clean up the mess,” I said to the guards in the hallway. I never wanted to see Desmond’s face again. As they hurried to do their task, I leaned against the wall and sighed. Desmond was finally dead. The Ezzatis were gone, and yet... I’d tied James to me.