Page 103 of Wicked Heiress

But now?

If Bastian were allowed to take my place, it would give the Salvatores the freedom they needed. The other Founders would no longer look down on them for not being descendants of the Founding Fathers. I understood what it was like not fitting into this world, even though I was born into it.

“I just want to know one thing,” I said to Bastian. “Why did you take the key and give it to me? You didn’t even know me.”

He leaned back in the leather chair and studied my face before saying, “A man approached me outside my high school. I was a kid and didn’t know any better. He said he would give me information about my parents’ deaths if I stole the key from Fitzy and gave it to you.”

I nodded. “I would have done the same thing to know more about my parents.”

“I also did it because he said it would save your life. Viktor’s information against Fitzy kept you alive.” He tipped his head at the key cradled between my fingers. “An Elders key is power, Grace. I hope you understand what you’re giving up.”

“I understand.” I opened my palm and held out the key. “You deserve it more than I do. It’s yours if you want it.”

“Don’t be an idiot. Take it,” Luca hissed under his breath, tapping Bastian on the back when he didn’t immediately respond.

Bastian leaned over and muttered something to Luca, his voice so low I couldn’t hear him. Then he rose from the chair and strolled toward me, passing two dozen men as he approached. Some men reached out and touched his arm, but he didn’t look at them. He kept his eyes on me.

“I’ll tell you what.” Bastian lifted the key from my hand and tucked it into the inner pocket of his suit jacket. “We’ll share it.”

“That’s not allowed,” Jonathan Jay interjected. “Five Elders. Five keys. Not six.”

“I can be Grace’s proxy, can I not?” Bastian stared at the older man with black hair streaked gray. “It’s in The Founders Society Charter that an Elder can appoint a family member to serve as proxy if otherwise incapacitated.”

Jonathan wrinkled his nose. “She looks healthy to me.”

Bastian shook his head. “Grace is pregnant. She needs to focus on her family.”

Cole smiled at me as I rubbed my stomach. The doctor pinpointed my conception date to the week of my wedding to Rhys. So even if I stayed married to that miserable bastard, I would have carried a part of Cole inside me. Thankfully, my drama with Rhys was about to be over soon.

“This is precisely why we don’t allow women into The Founders Society,” Henry Jefferson said with an attitude. “Their job is at home. Not in the boardroom.”

“No offense, Henry,” Bastian shot back. “But I respectfully disagree with you. Alex is pregnant again, this time with twins, and I can assure you, my wife is just as formidable as the men sitting at this table. And so is Grace.”

“Let’s take a vote, gentleman,” Carl said to the Elders. “All in favor of Bastian serving as Grace’s proxy?”

Carl raised his hand.

So did Archibald.

Henry glared at Carl, who raised an eyebrow, giving him a menacing look. Jonathan also hesitated. His eyes moved between the two Elders who voted in favor.

Jonathan snapped his head to me. “You better not make me regret this.”

“I won’t,” I promised.

I knew Bastian would do an excellent job on my behalf. He was tough and could handle these old bastards.

Jonathan raised his hand, leaving Henry to decide my fate. He didn’t seem to like me all that much. None of them did. I could only imagine what this must have been like for them. They went from having my grandfather telling them what to do to a young girl with no real-life experience.

“Fine,” Henry hissed. “But Bastian is to speak for the Adams family.”

“He will,” I agreed. “I don’t want any part of what goes on here.”

We were at a secure location inside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where our ancestors signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Like Fort Marshall, this place had hidden doors and secret passages, so we could access the building without being seen.

It was close to midnight, hours after the guided tours ended for the day. The walls were soundproof. But once we stepped outside, we’d be greeted with the familiar sounds of the city.

“The vote is unanimous,” Carl announced to the room. “Bastian Salvatore will serve as the fifth Elder.”

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