Chapter 41: A Dangerous Proposal

I didn't move.

Didn't breathe.

Because Nero Sinclair wasn't like Liam. He wasn't like Vale either. He didn't just play the game—he enjoyed it.

He fed on chaos, and right now, I was the perfect meal.

"What do you want, Nero?" I asked, keeping my voice steady.

He grinned, twirling his blade between his fingers like this was all just a joke. But it wasn't.

"Straight to business? Fine." He took a slow step closer, and I forced myself not to react. "I came to offer you something. A way out."

My pulse stuttered.

"Out of what?"

"This war." He tilted his head. "You're smart, Celeste. Smarter than Kingston gives you credit for. Smarter than Vale hopes you are. But you're still trapped. Sooner or later, you'll have to pick a side."

I crossed my arms. "And let me guess—you think I should pick yours?"

"No." He smiled, slow and sharp. "I think you should pick your own."

I frowned. "What the hell does that mean?"

Nero leaned in, so close I could see the flecks of gold in his dark eyes.

"Liam wants to use you. Vale wants to own you. But me?" He smirked. "I just want to see what happens when you stop letting men like them decide your fate."

A chill ran down my spine.

Because that was the most dangerous offer of all.

"Think about it." He finally stepped back, slipping his blade into his pocket. "But don't take too long."

Then, just like that, he was gone.

Leaving me alone with a choice I wasn't ready to make.