Page 71 of Stolen By the Enemy

We could have adventures every weekend and I could get a job serving Mexican beers at a pub.

When I went shopping, I saw so many little pubs and cafes that I could work at.

I like this idea. If my brothers disown me completely, I could restart my life in Mexico.

***

Hearing Marco come in the front door wakes me up from the nap I wasn’t meaning to take.

He bursts in the door, briefly mentions the letter, and then dives straight into telling me his new plan.

I keep quiet, but inside I’m happy about him coming here to tell me. And that he’s read my letter.

Marco’s face lights up as he tells me his plan.

This is where he shines, when he is creating his own legacy, making his own path.

I listen until he’s done, glad to hear that no part of the plan involves actually injuring my brothers.

I am still very upset with them, but I want them to be safe and alive.

His plan is actually quite smart, and if he can get his contacts to go along with it, he’ll easily get everything he wants.

My brothers can then enjoy what they have and maybe one day work, with Marco again while they all get richer and more powerful.

I’m just not sure what any of this means for me, or where I will end up, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

“You’re plan sounds brilliant, Marco. I can help you,” I say to him, not sure if he’s going to trust me.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing Luca knocked down a peg or two, and Enzo can afford to lose three trade routes. I’d love to see their faces when these routes are taken from under their noses.”

Marco looks at me, an eyebrow raised.

“Help me? With my plan?”

I can hear the suspicion in his voice, and I almost give in to the frustration I feel about him not trusting me yet. But instead, I focus on what’s important.

“Yes,” I say. “I know my brothers and their business. And your plan sounds like it could do with some insider information.” I wink at him. “Would it hurt to have someone else go through the steps with you? Even if I just act as a sounding board?”

He could probably do this on his own, but I like watching him talk about his plans, and I’d do anything for a bit of company in this beach house.

I don’t want to spend another night here alone, lying in bed awake, trying to daydream my way out of boredom.

Marco agrees to let me go through it all with him but warns me that it is his plan and he might not listen to all of my ideas.

I’m not too bothered if he does or doesn’t, because it doesn’t affect me whatsoever. It’s not like he’s going to share the profits with me if it works.

I open up a bottle of wine and share it between the two of us as we sit at the table, plotting and scheming.

With each glass that I empty, the bitterness of my anger mellows. I hadn’t realized how angry I was still feeling towards my brothers.

But with all of the talk about how we could surprise them and make them feel the loss of their money, I can tell that my emotions are still negative.

The deeper we go into this plan, the more the atmosphere in the room shifts from revenge to opportunity.

I’ve never had much of a chance to be involved in any of the family business dealings, since Enzo and Luca have always done their best to shelter me.

But I know enough about it to have some valuable ideas, and Marco seems to understand that.

---