Page 39 of Something Blue

I chuckle as I walk out of Franco’s house, savoring his shock, enjoying his torment. He knows he has no other options. Either his campaign tanks or his daughter marries me. But his reaction tells me he might choose the wrong option. He might let his campaign die in order to not give away his daughter.

I sneer, angry again, as I climb into my car.

He looked terrible and I’ve obviously added stress to an already stressful situation. All I can do now is wait. Wait - and hope that the universe proves to me that Neve and I are together by making it possible.

My phone buzzes as messages come through from my father.

Vincent: How did the meeting go?

Me: He’s considering our offer and will get back to me by tomorrow afternoon.

Of course, my father knows nothing about what I have set as a requirement in the offer.

This morning I might have felt guilt over this, keeping things from my father when it comes to business - but ever since Masaccio slipped up and told me that small,insignificanttruth - the truth about what he did to my mother. Well, let’s say I don’t give a shit about what he wantsanymore.

Vincent: They like to pretend they have a choice and that they are in charge of the situation. Let him take his time, but he always chooses the same thing. He’ll take the money. He knows we own him.

Except this time I don’t think he’s going to. The way he responded was a lot more intense than I expected it to be. He was adamant that he would not agree to his daughter marrying me. Well, if that is the case he will lose everything.

The guy practically had a panic attack though.

“Fuck.” I shout, slamming my hands against the steering wheel.

If this plan doesn’t work, I might kidnap her. Fuck it. It’s not ideal - but what choice do I have. She ismine. She belongs to me and she should be with me.

I take a few deep, slow breaths, forcing myself to calm down.

I can’t act rashly now. Not after I’ve been so patient for so long.

The universe wantsus to be together.

It will make it happen.

And that evening - my theory is proved.

The universe does what us to be together.

I pick up the remote control and turn the volume of the TV up.

“Mr. Franco Greco, the man who was head of the poles for the last three years running, has passed away of an apparent heart attack this afternoon. We are just hearing that his son, Luke, was by his side at the time of his death. Luke has a few words to say to our viewers.”

The screen switches to an image of Luke, Neve standing by his side outside their father’s home. “My sister and I are devastated by this loss. We ask you all to respect our privacy and grief during this time, but I also want you to know that I will be taking over his campaign and working very hard to recover our family name. What my father did, his choices and his actions, are not a reflection of our family. He acted alone and we hope that all the people who supported his campaign understand I still believe in everything it stood for. I want to make our people proud…..”

I flick the mute button and while Luke’s mouth continues to move, no sound comes out.

“Greco - you were too weak.” I chuckle, sitting down on the sofa and still watching Luke silently make his plea to his kingdom to allow him to run for office.

Politics.

I sit back, spreading my legs out and draping my arms over the back of the sofa. So, Luke Greco is the new man of the house. He is the one who will make the choices now.

And he is the man who I am going to be negotiating with.

I wonder what he thinks of my idea.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Neve

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