Master of Salt & Bones - Keri Lake Page 0,76

particularly in the last week.”

My thoughts flicker back to three nights ago, when I had Isa beneath me, and the sweet flavor of whatever strawberry shit she had on her lips puckering my tongue. “Threatening the mafia seems to agree with me, I guess.”

Rand snorts a laugh and lowers his gaze. “Perhaps. I’ll find what I can on the girl. I should also mention that renovations for the atrium begin tomorrow. Any particular theme you’d like the designer to focus on?”

“Surprise me.”

“Very well. Goodnight, Master.”

“’Night.” The moment he exits the office, I grab my drink, lean back in my chair, and flick the monitor back on.

Chapter 27

Lucian

Eight years ago …

“You make me proud, my boy.” My father stretches across his desk to fill the glass set before me with the same amber liquor that fills his own. “Top of your class, and a Masters from Harvard. The world is your oyster, Lucian.” He lifts his glass in a toast, and tips it back.

I don’t consider my degree much of a feat, having been bred for ruthless business from the time I swiped my first toy from another child, but after a moment of hesitation, I pitch back my own.

“A week from now, you’ll embark on a new journey at Blackthorne Enterprises, but tonight, we celebrate.”

As I understand, he’s invited half of New England to my graduation party. While I should be thrilled to see my father beaming with so much pride, all I can think about is how much I want to tell him to shove his pride up his ass and smoke it.

Waving his finger in the air, he pushes up from his chair. “I’ve got a gift for you.”

“Father, it’s not nec--”

“I’ll not have you telling me what is, or isn’t, necessary.” He hobbles over to a closet, where he rifles around, before returning with something enclosed in his palm. Flicking his hand for mine, he waits until I offer a stretched palm, and drops an object into the center of it.

I stare down at the ring, the same one he wears on his own finger, where a wedding band should be. “Father, I--”

“Not a word. It was Friedrich’s idea. With this ring, you now have access to the secret chambers at the institute, where all our meetings are held, as well as the catacombs here at the Manor.”

I don’t want this. I never asked for it. By accepting this gift, I’m allowing myself to become indoctrinated into their ways. For the last few years, I’ve played along, in an effort to avoid my father’s wrath, but I have neither the desire, nor inclination, to become an active participant in their little club. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say nothing. You are now an official member of Schadenfreude. Whatever you want is at your fingertips, my boy. As I said before, the world is yours.”

Only an hour into the party, and I’m bored, sipping my third glass of wine, while I watch all of my father’s friends and acquaintances mingle in honor of me.

Sebastian strides toward me, one of only a handful of my friends that my father bothered to invite, and only because of his father. “I say we ditch this lame party, and head to the cliff for a late-night dive.”

Snorting a chuckle, I lift my drink. “You lead, I shall follow,” I say, before tipping back the last of my drink. “At this rate, I’ll be wasted before the bastard even bothers to toast.”

“And I’ll be in the corner, flogging my cock until then.”

As both of us laugh, I signal the hired wait staff for another drink.

“Lucian Blackthorne. Well, you haven’t changed a bit.” The sweet feminine voice has me twisting in my chair.

Amelia Boyd stands off to the side behind me. In a pastel pink dress, her hair coifed in a perfect twist of curls that spill over her ears, she’s the vision of a political princess. Same girl I kissed all those years ago, just with bigger tits and a wiser edge to her stare.

“Amelia Boyd.”

“Sebastian Thoms.” My friend reaches out a hand that she doesn’t bother to acknowledge while keeping her gaze locked on mine. “I’ll just … head for the corner.”

With a smile, I break my ogling to watch him retreat. “His father owns the largest pharmaceutical company on the east coast. You might be the reason he OD’s on antidepressants tonight.”

“Serves him right for the way he was looking at my breasts.”

My gaze dips to the deep-set cleavage peeking out

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