Then he let out a rather dramatic sigh. “It will be easier to trust once our families are truly united. My daughter, unfortunately, is being quite difficult. She tells me she couldn’t possibly get married until she is done with school. But I trust when the time comes, there won’t be any barriers to your union. No unforeseen problems in Providence. Like the one that delayed your arrival today.”

Victor’s blood chilled. There was no way that Phantom or Han would’ve told Kuang where he was. That meant Kuang must have gotten this intel from someone else. Perhaps even before his impromptu call for a meeting. Maybe that was the reason why he’d decided to call it in the first place.

This might very well have been a test to check that Victor would still jump when Kuang said, no matter the circumstances. A test that Victor had failed.

“There won’t be any unforeseen problems anywhere,” Han assured Kuang as Victor reeled. “Nothing supersedes Victor’s commitment to this partnership. Nothing.”

Han addressed Kuang, but it felt like he was chastising Victor.

The assurance seemed to mollify Kuang, in any case. After talking over a few business points and some possible future projects they might invest in together, Kuang left with his cadre of soldiers.

“Thank you,” Victor signed after Phantom escorted him out.

“Was I lying to Kuang?” Han demanded as soon as Kuang was out of their eyesight. His signs were angry and rushed. “Is your Providence secret going to be a problem? Like she was five years ago?”

“No,” Victor assured him. “It as you said, I’m committed to this partnership.”

His brother didn’t press the topic further. But he also didn’t look like he believed Victor.

Victor didn’t blame him. He found it hard to believe himself too. Especially with that wedding ring buried in his waistcoat pocket.

“I need to go get cleaned up,” he signed to Han.

Han didn’t answer. And Victor could feel his brother’s worried gaze on him as he left the room.

As soon as Victor got to the suite he kept on the second floor, he brought out his phone to send out the first of many instructions.

This thing with Dawn might’ve caused him to lose face with Kuang, but one thing was for sure. By the end of the day, he’d make sure she hated him as much as he hated himself right now.

11

DAWN

I woke up super late the next morning, sore all over. Victor hadn’t allowed me so much as a glass of wine with dinner, but I felt completely hungover. Apparently, too many orgasms had the same effect as too much wine.

How many times had Victor taken me last night? I wasn’t sure. All I could remember was that after the first time in front of Yaron, it had been a roller coaster of shame and submission.