WITHIN THE EMPIRE

CHAPTERFOUR

I never imagined I'd end up like this-standing before a room of power, pride, and men capable of sending my brother to death with one word. My hands shook despite trying to hold them firmly. I hated this. Loathed being here. But did I ever have a choice at all?

His eyes met mine across the room. Fear was settling heavily on them, but I could spot the guilt as well. His mouth parted as if he did not want me to do this, but no sound escaped. He was petrified and broken.

And me? I was breaking too. "I'll do it," I finally said, the words tasting like poison on my tongue.

Silence in the room extended like a blade. They all looked at me—the guards, the lawyers, Alex himself. His cold gray eyes met mine and measured me up like one of the game pieces.

"You'll do it?" His tone was gentle, too gentle. "Be very specific, Bella. Just what are you promising?"

My throat constricted, and I was about to scream at him, remind him that I wasn't anyone's fool and that I knew that he was reveling in it. But Ethan's pale face halted at me.

"I'll work for you," I whispered, forcing the words out. "Just let him go. Don't arrest Ethan, please. I beg of you."

Alex sat back in his chair and rubbed his chin as if weighing gold and not the freedom of a man.

"Interesting," he said. "So quick to sacrifice yourself."

I could sense the rage ignite within me. "This isn't a sacrifice. This is me rescuing my brother. You have any decency at all?"

"Decency doesn't build empires," Alex interrupted me, his tone cold. "Power does and loyalty. You've just shown me both."

I tightened my fists. "I made you no offer; I'm doing it only because you coerced me."

"Sematics." Cruel was the way that he was smirking. "But I

The family lawyer stepped forward. His eyes were softer, more human than Alex's. He looked at me with something very nearly pity.

"Miss Bella," said Henry, "do you get what it is? Dealing with Alex isn't like dealing with anyone else. When you enter, you can't ever come out."

"I don't care," I retorted harshly, although my voice trembled. "If it will guarantee the safety of Ethan, then I'll do whatever it takes. I can't open my eyes and see Ethan decompose in prison like this; Ethan is my only family."

Ethan froze, shaking. "No, Bella. Don't do that. I can handle it. Don't get yourself entangled with him on account of me. Don't. Begging you."

I spun abruptly to him; my chest was constricted. "Ethan, stop. You can't do this. You'll blow it once, and you'll never survive. You don't understand what they will do to you. I can't–" my voice broke, "won't do it."

Teardrops scalded my eyes, but I would not shed them. Not here, not in front of Alex. Not in front of all of them, I will not embarrass myself like that.

Alexrose stood up slowly, and his big frame crowded the space so that everybody else stepped back. "Touching," Alex said with sarcasm laced in each word. "Family loyalty. It doesn't come often now."

He prowled the room like an animal, ending up standing directly in front of me. His eyes blazed at mine, probing, challenging, and waiting for me to break.

"Don't you realize what you're requesting?" His tone was low now, almost perilous. "You'd have me rescue your brother and surrender yourself to my world? It is a world where one misstep can get you killed. You ready for that? You honestly ready for all that, Miss Bella?

I raised my chin, although within me was falling apart. "I don't care what becomes of me. So long as Ethan gets up and walks out of this place and is free, then I'll take it. I'll take whatever retribution ensues.

For the first time, a spark lit up in his eyes. Amusement? Or appreciation? But one could not distinguish one from the other. It only reassured me more.

Henry cleared his throat quietly. "Alex, maybe this is not called for. The lad was accidentally offended. A warning would do–"

Alex put up a hand, and at once Henry stopped talking. Nobody ever crossed Alex Moretti, least of all his family lawyer.

The silence stank again before Alex said something at last. "Okay. Ethan will go free. But Bella is mine now. And that is what she has chosen in exchange for freeing her brother."

My gut twisted at what he'd said. Belongs. As if I were a possession. I snapped and looked at him. Don't react. Don't give him the satisfaction of knowing that he'd made me react. "Fine," I said tightly.

Alex grinned once more. "Then it's settled."

Ethan resisted the men once more, red-faced. "No! Bella, don't do that! You can't give yourself to him! I'll take care of it, just give me a chance, Bella?"

"Get rid of him," said Alex harshly.

"No––!" I attempted to go after Ethan, but a guard blocked my way. I called out his name when they pulled him out of the room, and his voice came ringing out of the hallway.

"Bella! Don't trust him! Don't––" His words were cut short when the big door slammed shut.

My knee was about to give way, but I made myself stand up. I did not want Alex to find me weak.

I turned back to him, shaking with rage. "You got what you wanted. Are you happy now? Are you satisfied now?"

He bowed his head, still with that angry smile on his lips. "Happiness has nothing to do with it. But you. You're more interesting than I thought. Don't you agree?"

"Don't play with me," I accused bitterly.

"Oh, Bella," he said low, and his voice was silk on steel, "I'm serious. You've walked into my domain. And from now on." He stepped closer, and his breath teased my ear. "You only report to me. Without excuses and only me. My stomach dropped, and my breathing stuttered. And at that point, it registered with me–I'd just committed myself to the very man that I vowed the instant before that I'd never submit to.