Page 134 of The Heir

As she passes by us, Mason keeps his eyes unwavering on me. Something's shifted in his attitude that I can't explain, but I have a hunch Isobel's sister lies at the root of it.

"Alright then." I get up, extending my hand to him. "Welcome to King Dynasty, brother."

Mason nods, accepting my handshake and then turning his eyes to Melody. As do I. Wariness and hope swirls in one fucked up tornado in my gut as I envision our future, praying it's not a fragile one. We've been through enough. I vow to keep Melody close to make sure that Mason's influence doesn't corrupt her.

I'll do anything to protect my little family. Even if it means protecting them from each other.

Chapter thirty-six

Family Tree

Chapter thirty-seven

2nd Epilogue

Eighteen Months Later. Los Angeles, California.

Walking into the Scogmiligio Mansion I look over my shoulder, ensuring that Gustavo is close by. I only came with one security guard for this meeting between me, Joaquin, and Lucien Scogmiligio. My hackles rise, seeing the place crawling in security. Everyone is on edge, including Joaquin who walks next to me with his brow low. His shoulders are rigid, betraying how uncomfortable he is.

It's been a solid year of him trying to negotiate the terms of their contract. The agreement they'd settled on in order to ally and free Isobel from her father. However, every time Joaquin has reached out to fulfill his end of the bargain, Lucien has effectively shut down any and all communication. Putting the favor he owes him off to the side. And after a year and a half of this, it's frazzled every nerve ending we have between the two of us.

It's been hell waiting for the other shoe to drop, and the only reason it's ending is because I personally reached out to request a meeting with the two of them.

I honestly thought it'd be a long shot, but my request was accepted and a meeting put on the books.

I walk into the room first, seeing Lucien at his desk, bent over a spread of documents. Two armed security guards flanking the wall behind him, as well as one on each of the other three walls. He doesn't even look up as we come into the room, continuing to scrawl his signature on page after page. "Have a seat."

I sit in the leather seat across from him and cross an ankle over my knee. I wait patiently, not giving any hint that I'm annoyed, or put off by his dismissal of us. When he looks up I reach out my hand and he takes it in a firm grip. His brown eyes meet mine, and despite my best efforts my brow arches at the blatant arrogance that oddly rivals my own, and the sure confidence within its depths speaks of a life well lived.

"Lucien," I say, releasing his hand. "Nice to see you again."

"You may call me Luca," he says as he sits back heavily in his office chair. "I can't stand the nameLucien.I frankly don't know what the fuck my parent's were on when they named me." Leaning over the documents again he signs a piece of paper, throws his pen down, hands a stack of paper to a guard who walks off, and then sits back in his chair pinning me with a look. "How's your wife?"

Right to it then.

"Well, thank you."

I stiffen as Luca's eyes go to Joaquins who dips his head in a respectful nod. "Mr. Scogmiligio."

"Mr. Balducci."

I wait for pleasantries, but there are none. Luca's eyes go back to mine and he just sits there, staring. Understanding hits that I'm to be the one who starts this off, considering I requested this meeting. The fact that he doesn't fill the space with useless chatter or filler words, not even small talk isn't lost on me.

From what I can deduce so far, this is a stern man who suffers no ignorant fools. His energy is commanding, oppressive even.

Sitting forward in my seat, I clasp my hands between my knees and level him with a stare. "It's been over a year, Luca. I don't appreciate walking around my life on eggshells, waiting for you to cash in on your favor. Respectfully, I'd appreciate it if you'd tell me what you expect, and then be done with it."

Something akin to respect glints in his eyes as a curve tips his mouth and he flips his gaze from mine to Joaquin then back again.

Joaquin clears his throat, sitting forward as well. "If the arrangements of our agreement are not to your liking-"

"I don't wantyou,"Lucien says in a curt, matter of fact tone giving Joaquin a scathing look. The hair on the back on my neck stands up as little warning bells go off. His eyes turn back to mine. "I want access to the King family. Plain and simple."

Shit.My eyes narrow as I take a deep breath to calm myself. The approach I take with my brother won't be tolerated here, and I need to tread carefully.

'How so?"

"Well, seeing as I was denied a wife-"

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