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“And yet you e it”

“I understand the stakes here” Erin’s jaw tightened She glanced atyou with Maeve I expect to get what I need in return”

“I can’t make Darren step down and I won’t kill him”

“I don’t care about that I want power I want men”

I let out a sharp laugh I couldn’t believe this “You want to start your own family”

Erin sneered at me “You’ve never had any a sorry for everyone and worrying about their feelings Ever since Livvie died—”

“Don’t talk about Livvie,” I said angrily, taking a step closer, but Erin didn’t react

“You’ve been weak and pathetic When you lost Livvie, you lost so”

“So did you Livvie was the only one that could keep you under control”

Erin laughed lightly “Livvie was the only one that understood I couldn’t be kept under control She supported my decisions”

“This is insane” I turned to Kaspar “You can’t help her with this The others won’t allow it”

But Kaspar see time”

“She has nothing No ive her men, they’ll be mercenaries The others will tear her to pieces”

“That’s a risk I’ at Kaspar “I want money and manpower I’ll handle the rest”

Kaspar touched his chin I wanted to screaet herself killed Kaspar had to stop this He had to do so

He only nodded “If you can keep Darren fro involved any further, I’ll provide what you need to get started But beyond that, you will be on your own Don’t coround”

“We have a deal then”

Kaspar stood He looked at me and I didn’t ainst the wall—

But Erin didn’t glance in my direction

Kaspar touched ht then I decided

Erin didn’t care about me Darren, Mom, none of the others paid any attention to me at all

For all these years, it’s only been Kaspar

Let Erin start her new Oligarch family She’ll fail and die It won’t matter

I turned away and followed Kaspar back outside

“You look pale,” he said and helped me into the car “Are you okay?”