Page 28 of Twins for the Mafia Heir

“Fantasia is the first female head of the Warwick family,” he says diplomatically. “She needs to work harder than her male predecessors to prove her right to rule. If she could bring a wayward branch of the family back into the fold, that would give her greater legitimacy and increase the wealth of Wesley Hall.”

That… is a bunch of bullshit. Or, at least, part of it might be true, but Fantasia’s motivations don’t sound believable. I think of her paranoia, her instability, the fact that every time I’ve seen her, she’s been at least a little bit drunk. Is she fighting for power and wealth, trying desperately to prove something, or is there another reason she wants to increase the income of the family? Is there something she can’t afford yet that she’s desperate to have?

I’m not sure.

Regardless, it wouldn’t be wise to push about this just yet. Achilles seems to be lost in his own thoughts again. I don’t mind the silence, but the cold is beginning to make my whole body shake. When a shiver goes right up my spine, Achilles blinks back to himself.

“Come, let’s go back inside,” he says. “We’ll get you some new clothes today. Some warmer ones.”

He stands and reaches out to me, like he’ll put his arm around my shoulders, but pulls back at the last second. I let him lead me back toward the house, my cage, and wonder how much longer I’ll have to be here. Will I have to dismantle this placefrom the inside before I’m able to escape, or will I get another chance- today, tomorrow, next week- to slip away without a trace?

Chapter 15

Achilles

I’m not fooled by Raleigh’s shivering as we walk back into the house.

It’s not that I don’t believe she’s cold- she’s obviously freezing. She’s been wearing the same thin sweater and jeans since she got to London, and every time I have to look at her in them, I feel more angry. At myself, not her. I should’ve taken the time before literally abducting her so she could pack a bag, or even taken her to buy some clothes directly after our wedding.

Strangely, she’s never once complained about being stuck in the same clothes for three days. Though I’ll be the first to admit that she’s had much worse things to be upset about.

Regardless, if she felt so cold, why would she be wandering blindly through the mist?

Not because she was looking for me, no. Because she was taking yet another chance to try to escape.

This time, I won’t chastise her for it. How can I after last night? If she hadn’t run right into me, I wonder if I would have turned a blind eye and let her go.

It wouldn’t be the first time.

“I’ll give you a tour of the house today,” I tell Raleigh. “I suggest you don’t wander the house without me or Sidony’s tutor, Mrs Barlow, as an escort.”

“Because you’re afraid I’ll try to run off again.”

Well, her words, not mine. “Remember the men from last night? They’ll be here for a few days at least, and after last night, they’re probably very hungover.”

Her steps falter, but she catches up to me quickly. “Understood,” she says tightly.

Back in my room, I drag a hand over my face and try to pick my words out carefully. “Today, I have to explain what’s going on to Sidony. But before I do, I need you to know that I will not be requiring you to be a part of her life or to take any responsibility for her.”

Raleigh blinks fast, as if I’ve just smacked her. To my surprise, her face twists in outrage. “You’re not seriously still thinking I’ll take her for a hostage, are you?!” she demands.

“That isn’t what I was thinking atall,” I snap. “Though now that you’ve brought it up yourself-”

“If I wanted to do that, don’t you think I wouldn’t have been alone when I ran into you outside?!” she adds.

I grit my teeth hard. That is a fair point. “I willrepeat,” I bite out,“that I wasn’t suspicious on that front.” I sigh. “The reason I told you that I won’t be demanding that you be Sidony’s mother is because I don’t think you should have to be considering your situation. We lost-”

My breath skips over Madeleine’s name and I have to clear my throat to continue. “We lost her mother three years ago. Sidony was barely a year old. She doesn’t remember her, not really. The things she tells me about her sound more like dreams than memories. I don’t doubt that she’s lost something by not having a mother, of course. And it’s hard on her when I have work that takes me away.

“But that doesn’t mean I’ll saddle you with her care when you’re literally here against your will,” I conclude firmly. “That is hardly fair to you, but more importantly tome, it isn’t fair to my daughter.”

Raleigh has been listening hard during this whole speech, her brows furrowed with an intensity I don’t fully understand. When her mouth opens, I’m surprised to hear a tremble in her voice.

“She’s a little girl,” she says. “Not a burden. Not to me. I’ve always thought that it’severyadult’s responsibility to help a kid who needs them. Even if things are up in the air and it would be… irresponsible at best, cruel at worst to immediately tell her I’m her new mother…” It’s her turn to swallow and carefully find her next words. “I’m too young to pretend to be her mother anyway. I can be her friend, and frankly, I think that’s all she’d want from me anyway.”

There’s a pain in my chest at that last word. I didn’t have any expectations or even hopes, and now I’m left with no words to express my gratitude. It’s also jarring all over again to remember how young Raleigh is, but how mature she is as well. What a surprise for a woman who’s been raised in relative isolation and luxury.

Raleigh drops her gaze to the floor, giving me a chance to take a breath, only to look back up and say without warning, “I’m sorry. About your wife.”

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