Page 53 of Wicked Embers

“I’m presuming it’s a warning and an attempt to throw me off balance. Whoever’s behind this wants me to know that they have people on the inside that can get to us at any time—people I think are loyal and trust.”

“They’re trying to rattle you,” my mother agrees. “I’ve seen powerplays and hostile take overs using this method before. It’s like a strategy right out of your father and uncle Gunther’s playbook. Hit the target from different angles letting them think it’s more than one enemy coming for them. Weaken them by eventually cutting off their supplies and losing customers until the target has no choice but to surrender.”

By surrender my mother means by pledging loyalty to the new king in town or being executed.

I twirl the crystal tumbler in my hands staring into the clear liquid. “Or it’s a diversion tactic so I’m to busy trying to go to war with a faceless enemy while they get what they’re really after!”

“Or it could be both,” my mother says. “Cripple us slowly while they grab what they’re really after.”

“Which I’m guessing is an heiress that’s just come of age to inherit one of the biggest corporations in the world and all the trimmings that go with it.” I gulp down my drink letting the liquid burn down my throat.

“An heiress and her golden key that you’ve just been handed.” She reminds me. She pauses for a few seconds as if choosing her words. “Tell me, son, have you slept with Leigh?”

“That is none of your damn business, Mother!”

“Did you use protection or ask her if she was on any?” My mother ignores my protests and continues to grill me in one of the most awkward conversations I’ve ever had with her and as a helicopter parent we’ve had a few.

“Again, none of your business.” My anger spikes.

“Actually, it is my business,” she says, smugness dripping from her tone. “As executor of Dante Vasilikis’s will, and Leigh’s guardian in Mark’s absence, I have responsibilities. Even though she’s twenty-two as an heiress it’s my duty to look out for her best interests.” She doesn’t give me a chance to reply. “And as I’m still the figure head of both the Mirochin and Molchanov families I am also duty bound to do what’s best to protect us.”

Now the alarm bells are starting to ring in my ears.

“Can you drop the theatrics and just bring the hammer down already? I know there’s some punishment coming for the ‘crime’ you’ve imagined. I have an appointment to get to in twenty minutes.”

“Well then, make it a good appointment and enjoy your last night as a bachelor, my son, because tomorrow you and Leigh will get married.” I am about to object, but she cuts me off, her tone brooking no argument. “I am not finished.” She holds my gaze steadily. She should’ve been a judge the way she holds herself when she’s about to list out your crimes and then deliver the verdict and sentence.

“You were entrusted by Mark to protect Leigh. A promise that you made and sealed by accepting the documents also entrusted to you.” She barely blinks, pausing to let her words sink in before she continues. "You seduced Leigh without considering the consequences. If she’s pregnant, you’ve made her even more of a target—for the Vasilikis enemies, and ours.”

“Fuck!” I shove a hand through my hair feeling the walls closing in as the magnitude of the situation starts to crush down on me.

“Oh, and just to add a bit more layers to this already precarious situation—when her grandmother, Alexandra, passes away one day, Leigh becomes even wealthier and the sole heir to the Archontis Company. Which includes a pharmaceutical company.” She adds to the already considerable weight of the situation on my shoulders. “I’m sure you can appreciate what an heir between our families mean. And that I’m not just looking out for Leigh’s best interests but yours.”

My mother’s words hit like lightning. She takes my silence as hesitation and presses her point.

Taking my quiet as a sign of me battling over the decision she offers me another reason to marry Leigh.

“If you’re still not convinced, just think what an alliance with Leigh brings to our table.” She tries to sweeten the pot. “Access to two massive corporations and all Alexandra’s connections which will make our family even more formidable in our world.”

“It will also give us even more enemies and headaches,” I point out. “How the fuck will I manage all that?”

“You have two cousins, me, and your new wife to help you!” She watches me closely. “I need an answer now Radomir as I’ll have to contact Alexandra to endorse the wedding.”

“So Alexandra Vasilikis is the Greek matriarch?”

“Yes,” my mother admits.

“Why would the bitch that killed Father and Uncle Gunther endorse a wedding between me and her granddaughter?”

“Alexandra didn’t kill your father or my brother.” Her words hit like a punch to the gut.

“Then why have we been told otherwise for ten years?”

“Sometimes rumors are necessary,” she says cryptically. “But should you choose to marry Leigh, I promise I will tell you everything I know about that day.”

My eyes widen at her promise and my heart slams against my rib cage. She knows she has me in a corner as she adds incentives.

“What’s it going to be, Radomir? Marry Leigh, or face charges for kidnapping and raping Leigh Alexandra Vasilikis, heiress to the Matriarch and Archontis empires?” She pushes me for an answer while also throwing in an ultimatum.

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