Page 85 of Forbidden Deception

“Khyros? I recommend coming back to Edinburgh after dinner.” Mikko guides both of them back to our waiting car, but I remain by the gates, still thinking.

What could Remo be planning that would truly bring me to my knees?

There is nothing on this earth that I would beg for. My family is as safe as they can be. I could have the estate put into lockdown to keep them away from his wrath, but I cannot be certain for how long we would have to do that.

Remo’s plan of destruction for me won’t work.

“Eiran, send a copy of Remo’s video to his home again for me. The one of him murdering Mace Torre.”

33

Love is twisted.

Love is sick and ruins everything.

Love is submission and defeat.

Love is…a person.

Sitting next to me.

“Wait. So all this time you actually hated the smell of coffee but knew how to make it?” Eiran says, sipping his water.

I nod, cutting through the steak Rafael’s father made for dinner.

His father has been looking at me ever since I walked through the door. I don’t think he hates me or doesn’t like me. I think he’s trying to decide who I am and if I’m right for his son.

I understand his hesitance. His son is a very successful business tycoon, like my brother.

But I am no gold digger.

“Yeah, isn’t it crazy how well I make it? I genuinely didn’t think I was good until my brother told me to leave exact instructions of how I made his coffee before I moved here.” I laugh, shaking my head.

I’m sure he stuck the Post-it note on his fridge and has Isabella, his cook, make it for him.

“I would love to taste this famous coffee,” Steve, Rafael’s father, says, his eyes soft.

He looks like an older version of Rafael. His head is full of white hair, and wears a stern look on his face, but there is an unmistakable sadness in his eyes that is reflected in every man in this family.

“You got it.” I wink at him, making him laugh.

“You are exactly as Sierra was, carefree and impulsive, never afraid of those in power. I have heard quite a few stories from Mikko and Eiran about you,” he comments with a teasing glint in his eyes.

“Oh, have you?” I eye Mikko, who is suddenly interested in his food, and Liya bursts out laughing.

Liya is a beautiful runway model. She’s very popular and has walked in fashion shows in New York, Paris, and Milan, though she is taking a break at the moment to look after Jasmine.

With slicked-back hair and a red dress and tights, Liya looks every bit of the sophisticated, high-society woman she is with Mikko at her side.

“Venezia, he has accepted defeat in front of you,” Liya comments, her eyes on her husband, who places a kiss on cheek. Mikko can’t keep his hands to himself around his wife, and my heart warms.

“You might have to win me over with a bribe or something.” Eiran points his fork at me.

“Oh, shut it. You are easy to bribe. It doesn’t even need to be anything extravagant,” Khyros says.

Khyros is the quietest brother. Tonight he’s wearing an oversized black hoodie and sweatpants. While Mikko is a bit bulkier, Khyros is the one packing the most muscles. He needs them for his boxing career.

“I want—”

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