Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“How would it be beneficial to me?” I don’t like Malek Lombardi, but he’s not stupid. “Unless of course you’re stepping aside. Assuming you’re the man in charge. Michael simply hand you the crown?”
His eyes narrow, lips tighten into a hard line. There’s a twitch at his right eye. “Michael has proven himself incapable. I’ve been overseeing things since Alaric’s passing.”
“I thought you told me Michael made the call. Now you’re saying you’ve been overseeing things?”
He closes his eyes, sighs. “As much as I could. It isn’t easy to tell the crown prince that he’s not cut out for the job, as I’m sure you can understand.”
“Why would I understand?” I ask too quickly.
Malek’s eyes narrow infinitesimally. “I simply meant within your own family dynamics. Having an older brother who’d have been next in line rather than you.” A long moment of silence settles heavily in the room. He’s watching me. I sit like a marble statue, giving him nothing. “Of course, then he disappeared, and I suppose that solved that.”
I digest his words, his suggestion that I made Seth disappear. He’s fishing. But it confirms something I am coming to understand. I have underestimated Malek Lombardi.
“How is your father, Cassian?” he continues when I do not.
I blink, let one corner of my mouth curve upward as I study him.
“My father is none of your concern just as the inner workings of the Moretti family aren’t mine,” I tell him finally reminding myself he doesn’t know a damn thing about my brother. The fact of my father’s decline is, sadly, public knowledge because it all happened so wrenchingly publicly. But that’s where any knowledge he thinks he has about my family ends. I have guarded our secrets. I have guarded them well.
I sit up, shift the conversation. “Let me make sure I’m understanding this, though. Are you offering me Allegra’s hand in marriage and, as her dowry, the family territory? Because that would make this interesting.”
“An equal joining of forces. It would benefit both families, don’t you think?” A small smile plays along his lips.
“Hm. I suppose it would benefit you, considering your starting position, but I want it all, Malek.”
His lips thin and there’s a twitch at his right eye. I don’t allow my expression to change. I don’t allow him to know that I am watching and that I see.
“That’s a bit much, don’t you think? I’m talking about a merger, not a takeover,” he says, more urgency in his tone.
I stand. “Sadly, you’re not in a position to negotiate either. I came here to let you know I’m not in the mood for games. I want my money, and I want it by the end of the week. If I don’t have it, well, then I’ll be forced to act. The way I see it, our territories are too close for my comfort. Things may have worked out in the past, but so much has changed and, quite frankly, I’m already struggling to see how we’ll be able to coexist.” I walk to the door.
“What about Allegra?”
“What about her?” I ask, turning.
“I want her returned… intact.”
“Intact?” I feign ignorance.
“You know what I mean.”
I snort. “She’s twenty years old. Intact is a stretch, don’t you think?” I shake my head then see that cigar again. “You smoke, Malek?”
He follows my gaze. “Alaric did, and Michael likes to pretend he does,” he says with distaste, but I note how he doesn’t actually answer my question.
I study him. Is he lying? Does he know about the marks on Allegra’s neck? And what does he know about her missing finger? I’m sure he’d lie if I asked outright. Anyone would.
Just then, the study door opens, and a furious Michael stands in the frame. I notice the cast on the lower part of his arm. His eyes land on me before moving to Malek.
“What the hell is going on?” he barks.
“Cassian dropped by while you were out,” Malek says with a casual shrug of one shoulder.
Michael studies Malek and I watch the two of them for a minute, but decide I’m not interested in their family dynamics. I’m only interested in one member of the Moretti family.
I walk out of the study.
“Enzo,” I call up.
A moment later, Enzo appears at the top of the stairs. “Boss.”
“I’m done here. Get Allegra. Let’s go.”
Enzo nods and heads back down the hall. Michael hisses something at Malek and the two of them follow me. I wait at the bottom of the stairs as Allegra appears with a backpack over one shoulder and a duffel over the other. She stops when the little boy, Malek’s son, tugs at her hand.
She sets her bags on the floor and crouches down so she’s at eye level with him. “I’ll be back soon,” she tells him then hugs him tight. Amal, Malek’s daughter, takes his hand when Allegra stands and gathers her bags. Amal is shooting daggers at me with her eyes, but I notice she looks at her father in the same way.