Scarred Seductress

The Wrong Threat

The car crawled to a slow halt, and a sigh escaped Selene as Ava hopped out quickly to open the door.

Selene rolled her eyes and stormed out of the car, anger bubbling faintly in her chest as she walked into the house.

“Mama!” Leo exclaimed happily, pulling free from his nanny’s hold and scurrying toward Selene.

Selene forced a smile and lowered herself just as the child flung himself into her arms, giggling happily.

“How are you, baby?” she asked.

“You promised you were going to have dinner with me, Mama,” Leo muttered, a sad look spreading across his innocent face.

Selene met the nanny’s eyes as she forced out a warm smile.

“He waited all night, ma’am,” the woman said calmly.

Selene glanced briefly at the already set dining table.

Ava walked into the living room and set down her bag, her eyes boring into Selene’s as though silently urging her to see what her quest was costing her son.

Selene’s face hardened, and she straightened without a word.

“But you can have breakfast with me,” Leo cooed.

Selene said nothing. She gently pushed the child aside and made her way toward the stairs without another word.

“Mama?” Leo called sadly, watching her walk away without a glance back.

Ava hissed in frustration and shook her head, hurrying after Selene as she disappeared into her suite.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she ranted, following closely behind.

“The boy has to get ready for school, Ava,” Selene replied without concern as she stepped into her vast room. A tired sigh escaped her as she began peeling her gown aside, memories of her attempt the night before—trying to bring Matteo to his knees, only for it to backfire—flooding back.

She had seen it in his eyes; he had meant every word. No doubt she had only been trying to salvage a situation that had spiraled out of control. If it weren’t for that, she would never have lowered herself that way for any man—not even a man like Matteo. Instead, it should have been the other way around. He should have been the one craving her, yearning for her. And of course, she would have her fun then, messing with his head.

“It’s Leo’s second day of school, Selene,” Ava said. “You should be the one helping him get ready. You should be there for your son.”

“Shut up, Ava!” Selene snapped, whipping her gaze toward her. Ava swallowed hard.

Selene exhaled slowly, trying to calm herself. She had been on edge since last night. Maybe because she wasn’t built to handle such fear—she had claimed such a man’s attention, and she knew too well how dangerous that was.

“Fine… I’ll take him myself,” she hissed. “Are you happy now?”

Ava shook her head and looked away, biting hard on her lower lip.

“Now please give me a break… okay?”

“That school, Selene,” Ava said in a low, shaking voice. “That school—you’re enrolling your young son there just so you can have even more access to them, aren’t you?”

Selene shook her head, more annoyed, and turned toward the restroom.

“Do you realize how dangerous the game you’re playing is, Selene?” Ava pressed. “Especially since you’re dragging Leo into it—”

“Stay out of it, Ava.”

“I won’t if you’re going to involve the child,” Ava shot back, stopping Selene in her tracks. “Leave him out of it!”

“If there’s anything I can do to stop you from throwing your life—and Leo’s—away for this stupid revenge, I will!”

She turned, ready to storm out, when Selene’s voice broke into laughter—low at first, then louder, colder, chilling, sharp enough to pierce the room.

Ava turned back slowly and met Selene’s manic eyes as she laughed. She swallowed hard, fear creeping up her spine.

“Selene—”

“Then you die with them, Ava,” Selene said casually, still laughing.

Ava clutched her sides, her fingers sweaty and shaking.

“Stand in my way, Ava, and it’ll be reason enough to kill you—just like I plan to kill every single one of them.”

“But Selene—”

“I don’t care if I owe my life to you and your family,” Selene continued, stepping closer. Her fingers reached for Ava’s hair. Ava flinched, and Selene rolled her eyes.

“I can burn you—and every last person who matters to you—if you ever try to stop me again.”

Ava nodded quickly, trembling, already breaking down.

“Good,” Selene murmured, exhaling as her face smoothed back into calm.

Ava swallowed hard, finally seeing the Selene she had once saved and known—not the woman who had just threatened to kill her. This was an entirely different person.

“Now get to work, Ava,” Selene said. “I’m taking Leo today.”

Ava nodded again and hurried out of the room.

Selene scoffed, let her gown slide completely off, and walked naked to her bed. Her thoughts drifted back to last night—to Matteo.

Her goal had been Damien. She couldn’t afford to be trapped by a man like Matteo.

Damien had been the plan, and for no reason at all, was she allowing herself to lose control of the very game she had started.