Page 41 of Dust to Dust

Her long black hair fell to her left side. She was a vision, a dark angel that fell from heaven and now was let loose to roam. Elsa would never have survived my world, but Nova could conquer it.

That was why my father did what he did. It sickened me as much as I came to understand his reasoning. I disagreed with it and if I could bring him back only to kill him again I would. At this moment, I knew that whatever came our way, Nova would be strong enough to stand by my side. We'd fight a bloody battle and stand victorious.

My queen.

My wife.

"Franco Fontaine." Anton paused, waiting for a reaction. He got one. Why he was throwing a name like Franco Fontaine into this ridiculous story was beyond me, but with a reputation as ruthless as Franco's, it made me pause and wonder. I took the bait, and Anton continued.

"Aww, so you have heard of Franco or his family name at least."

"Of course, I've heard of the Fontaine's," I spat.

Nova glanced at me for answers, but Anton continued, "Franco Fontaine is God of Canada and Alaska. Isn't that right, Titan? Your father never could unseat the Fontaines. Didn't you ever wonder why a man like Lucas King never even tried?"

"We have enough power," I stated.

"Power feeds on power. It is a taste that can never be quenched or filled."

"What does Franco have to do with this?" Dash probed.

"Franco is the leader of the biggest organized crime family in the world; his great grandmother was one of the rulers, a Queen, who followed Jules King. She was killed, but her son remained alive and escaped to the untamed land of Alaska, where their company controlled the oil field, netting them billions. Franco Fontaine is the reason why your father gladly swallowed the poison. Franco is your final test."

Chapter 32

In front of me was a page with about a thousand dots staining it. I was racing, trying to make sense and connect the dots. Anton wasn't telling a story, he was telling the big bang of life as Titan, and I knew it. I had no choice but to grab hold and listen. I always knew Anton had something up his sleeve. I thought it was simply him seeking power and control over the Stepanov Bratva, but now, I saw his secrets lead to something much deeper. I'd sort the shit out later, but amid battle, I had to remain focused, something Dash and Titan were struggling to do. They needed to learn to push everything down and slip a mask on. Maybe they needed to try on a pair of Prada boots. Their little squabbles showed a weakness in their bond. It made the brotherhood look weak. I shouldn't care, but if I was going to be a part of this brotherhood, then I needed to make damn sure my hubby and his men looked strong and unstoppable. Never show your enemy your weakness. It's where they will aim. Anton now knew they kept secrets from one another. No Bueno. I'd sort that shit out as soon as we were alone.

Jealousy filled my mind when Titan reacted with such rage when his brotherhood was threatened. Did Titan love his club more than me? When I finally met the rest of these men, would I become as brainwashed as Titan and swallow down the kool-aid?

Probably not.

But having a more powerful ally was always good. I was committed to Titan now and I had to protect him. I had to understand the man he was today, not the boy I once knew. Titan was mind, body, and soul devoted to his brothers, so I had to be.

Anton continued, forcing me to stop thinking and just listen. "Franco was raised with one mission. Hunt down and kill the members of The Rites of Passage. He is well fortified and protected with technologies you can only dream of. Franco is elusive, and we've had no opportunities to take him out. He was the one who sent a sniper to take out Marcus. Franco Fontaine is the reason your fathers took the poison. Their time was up. This is a young king's battle now. The start of a new era. Before each King or Queen turns sixty, they must hand over power. It is the law, and we do not break our commandments. Your final test is to prove loyalty. Everything your fathers have trained you for will be tested."

"And what if we don't want to join your organization?" Dash threatened. His biceps flexed in his tight shirt. Dash looked seriously attractive with his icy hair and darker shadow on his jawline. I could see why Mila fumbled her words around him. Where Titan was my golden God, Dash was a nordic devil with icy blonde hair, a darker beard, a clash of heaven and hell, beauty and poison, all wrapped into a body of muscle trained to hunt and kill.

Anton bellowed a chuckle, "Firstly, Titan will be the ruler of your family since he is the eldest; secondly, you have no choice, son. Your fathers made the hardest sacrifice a father and ruler can make. Give up their life for their sons, and step down without a fight. Lucas gladly took the poison so you, his only son and heir, could enter your final trial. Titan King, as the eldest son of Lucas King, who was the eldest son of Jules King, it is you who is handed the ruling seat of power. Your cousins, Dash and Damian, will be your advisors. Titan, you will be the leader of your family once," Anton paused long as he stressed, "you, along with the other rising young princes, have completed your final tasks. Your task Titan King is to kill Franco Fontaine."

"You want me to kill Franco.” Titan growled, "There's a reason why my father and uncles left the land to the north alone."

"Yes," Anton hissed, "because it isyourfinal test. Do you want to be handed more power? Then you must prove your worth. Your life has been planned. Your brotherhood has been planned. You all have been groomed like stallions. You will kill Franco or kneel to him as he kills the ones you love." Anton fought to lean forward in his chair, straining against his bonds, "Are you willing to let Franco kill my Kukla?" Titan lost it. His fist pounded into Anton. Dash and I watched for a moment as the beating continued. Anton had asked for it too many times. I wasn't his.

I was Titans.

I looked to Dash, "He'll kill him."

Dash nodded. What a turn of events, Dash and I agreed, Lucas was dead and not by my hands, and now some birthright Titan had to fulfill.

Not even close to how I thought April 1st would end.

When the chair Anton was tied to tipped over. Titan swung his leg back to continue, but Dash grabbed Titan by his shoulders. With expert movement, Dash applied pressure to a pressure point which caused Titan to flinch and halt his aggression.

"You don't ever mention her name again!" Titan roared. I wasn't sure Anton could hear him as he struggled to remain conscious. "Do you understand!"

Anton coughed, "W-what about y-you boy," blood poured from Anton's mouth as he spoke to Dash now. His nose was broken and angled to the left side of his face. "Mila Michelson," Anton uttered.

I shook my head, knowing I was going to have to intervene and get my Prada boots dirty. What was Anton up to? Did Anton want to die a painful death? First Titan and now Dash. Then it hit me.

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