Secret Heir (Dynasty #1)(94)

“So, you’re the only asshole who gets to come near me?” I keep my tone light, but the words aren’t exactly a joke.

“Hell, yes,” he replies, throwing an arm around my shoulders as we walk out of the main building. “Because I’m your asshole.”

I don’t want those words to mean anything, but I’m stupid and foolish, so they do. I still haven’t forgotten about Devon’s words. I know that Raph and I are going to need to have this conversation, but that same foolish part of me delays the inevitable.

And as he leans down to touch his lips against mine again, I don’t feel like talking at all.

“And you’re mine, Jaz,” he murmurs against my lips. “All mine.”

The words wrap themselves around me and just for that moment, I let myself believe it.



I’m rummaging in the fridge for a snack when I hear the front doors open. The guys all have an end of semester soccer meeting, so I expect to see Keller or Ivy walk in. Layla has a useful knack of avoiding me when I’m downstairs, although I don’t miss her death stares at school.

Unfortunately, Layla’s avoidance tactic doesn’t seem to be working today, because it’s she who walks in through those doors.

But when she fixes her eyes on me from across the reception hall, I get the feeling that this run-in is a very deliberate one.

I school my face blank and ignore her completely as I close the fridge door. Suddenly, I’m not so hungry. But before I can make a beeline for the stairs, Layla intercepts me.

“How’s it going, Jazmine?” she asks.

I blink in surprise, because this girl hasn’t said a single civil word to me since I arrived in Eden and now she’s asking me how I’m doing? Bizarre is an understatement.

“Fine,” I reply evenly. But I narrow my eyes in suspicion, because I’m not convinced by her seemingly neutral manner. Not convinced at all.

And I’m right not to be, because from her next words, it’s apparent that her claws are definitely still out.

“Fine? I would’ve thought you’d be more than fine. I mean with all that time that Raph’s been spending in your bed … a slut like you must be having the time of her life.”

I picture myself pulling chunks of golden hair out of her pretty little head and gouging those pretty green eyes out, but I stop myself. She isn’t worth it.

I’ve been expecting this confrontation since that night of the Fall Ball. In fact, now that I think about it, I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner. Layla must be losing her touch. Whatever. I don’t have time for it.

I let out a sigh and move to step past her. She doesn’t let me go that easily.

“Get out of my face, Layla,” I say through gritted teeth, trying to hold onto whatever self-control I have left.

“I’m not finished with you, slut,” she replies with a sickening smile.

I roll my eyes, although I can feel my patience waning. Fast.

“Okay. What? Why don’t you just get all those insults that you’ve clearly been saving up off your chest. I promise I’ll try to keep a straight face.”

Layla’s eyes narrow in response, and her voice is eerily calm when she opens her mouth next, although her words are far more lethal.

“You know, as much as I’d like to do that, I don’t think I need to. You know what you are—I don’t need to tell you.”

“Oh, yeah and what am I?” I ask, although the last thing I want is for her to answer.

“You’re a shiny new toy that’s just happened to catch Raph’s attention—for now. This … fascination of his? It’s temporary.”

I try to block out her words but I feel them cut into flesh all the same.

“He’ll play with you for a while, use you to keep himself entertained. Raph loves the chase and life can get pretty boring for us Dynasty heirs with all these rules and obligations—not that you’d know, because you’re not really one of us.

“Then he’ll toss you aside once he’s bored of you. Just like all the others. I’m sure you’re not foolish enough to think that there haven’t been other girls before you—many, many girls before you. I mean, I don’t blame those girls, or you, for that matter. It’s probably good while it lasts, in fact …”

She flashes me a wicked smile which makes my stomach churn.

“From my own personal experience, I know just how good it is. So. Very. Good.”

If I felt sick before, then I’m pretty sure that now I’m on the verge of throwing up.

The look she gives me is almost sympathetic.

“That is, until it ends. Because it always ends. There’s no other possibility.

“Raph knows, just like I know, just like every damn person on this entire planet knows, that Raph is mine and I’m his. Always has been, always will be.

“It doesn’t matter who he warms his bed with and equally, it doesn’t matter who’s in mine. Because at the end of it all, he’ll be on that throne and I’ll be right there next to him. That’s how this fairy tale ends.”

She studies my expression, and as much as I try to, I can’t keep the devastation from showing through.

“But you knew that already, didn’t you, Jazmine? If I didn’t think you were such a worthless slut, I’d feel sorry for you. Life after Raph gets bored with you? Well, I think you know what that’s going to feel like, in fact, I think it keeps you up at night.