Secret (Betrothed #9) - Penelope Sky Page 0,43

intended to take my seat on the throne. You know that’s a crime punishable by death.”

He didn’t rise from his seat on the bench, continuing to his grip his arm to stop the bleeding. He kept his mouth shut, refusing to beg for his life, refusing to admit he did anything wrong.

All the men stared, unsure what would happen.

I’d already shot one of my men and that had cost me popularity points, plus Vox was one of the better Skull Kings, in terms of enforcing laws and collecting payments. So, I had a better idea to punish him, one that would work out for me and heighten the opinion of the men underneath me. “So, this is what we’re going to do.” I moved past him and walked up the steps to the wall behind my throne. I pulled out the blade from my pocket and approached the wall.

The Wall of Traitors.

A few names were already there, carved into the wall even though those people were long gone, but the memories of them were forever tainted by the inscription. I slammed the tip of my knife into the wall and took my time, making sure the cuts were deep, that they would never fade in time.

V.

The men were so quiet, I could hear the knife slice into the wood.

O.

If Vox could pull out a gun and shoot me, he would. But he was outnumbered by all the men who were loyal to me.

X.

I sheathed my knife and turned back to him. “You’re forever known as a traitor—and traitors can never be king.” I snapped my fingers. “Get your ass up here.”

He stared at me from his seat, his look venomous.

Steel rose from a different table and wrapped his arm around Vox’s neck. “The Skull King just gave you a command.” He dragged him off the bench and onto the floor. “Get your ass up.” He kicked him hard in the side.

Vox moaned as he continued to grip his arm.

The humiliation must have been overwhelming, to feel all your comrades look down on you like you were garbage.

He finally pushed himself up and stared at me.

I snapped my fingers. “I’ll shoot you again.”

He finally moved, walking up the steps as he gripped his wound.

I yanked his hand free of his shoulder and slammed it against the wall, making his blood smear across his name, fill the crevices so the stain would dry and last forever, so all the Skull Kings could see it every goddamn day.

When the deed was done, I released him. “I now pronounce you a traitor. You’ll live as a traitor. And you’ll die as a traitor.”

When I pulled into the garage, her car was still there.

I’d told her to go home.

I entered my house and took the stairs to the second floor.

She must have heard my arrival because she ran to the top of the stairs, relief moving into her eyes when she saw me, saw that I was unharmed, that I was in one piece. “Thank god…”

I reached the top level and walked past her. “I told you to go home.” I turned my back on her and grabbed a bottle of vodka before I filled my glass to the brim. I took a deep drink, trying to wash away the bullshit I’d just had to deal with.

She was quiet for a long time. “I had to make sure you were okay…”

“I’m fine.” I took another drink and turned around, seeing her in my shirt. I crossed my arms over my chest and tilted my chin to the floor, staring at the hardwood floor beneath my feet. “I told you I would call.”

“And you didn’t.” She didn’t come close to me, crossing her arms over her chest. “I couldn’t go home and go to sleep. I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about you until it was over.”

My hands gripped the counter on either side of me, the drink sitting in front of me.

She slowly came closer to me, approaching me with hesitation.

I didn’t know why I was being such a dick to her. I was still high on adrenaline, a little drunk from all the booze, and just pissed off about the whole thing. I was angry at myself for not figuring it out on my own, and I was pissed off that Vox was too powerful for me to kill. I punished him in a humiliating way, and if he stepped out of line again, I could kill him—with no resistance.

She moved