Page 108 of Where the Wicked Reign

It had been a quiet couple of weeks up until then. I’d been fully immersed in work, planning my expansion efforts, meeting with my accountant, my architect, getting everything ready. And it had been amazing just focusing on that again.

Except when that nagging feeling had kept rising up.

Thoughts of the boys.

I’d actually missed them.

Even the craziness that went along with them.

And I also couldn’t get what had happened with Milo out of my head.

But now even that, the closeness we’d been carefully building, would be tainted by my father with this marriage directive. He’d have his dirty hands in it. It would be forced. And it would also be in the name ofleashingme and stopping my progress, because he couldn’t stand me having success outside of the Family, especially when he considered it infringing on his real estate aspirations.

Once the wedding took place and he had me where he wanted me, it would take everything I had just to hold on to what I’d built, let alone continuing on with my expansion plans. I knew that Nico and the boys were on my side, and I now trusted in our alliance, but they would also be restricted.

It meant I’d have to fight through hell just to protect my businesses and assets.

And it pissed me off like nothing else because I’d already paid my fucking dues.

Worse and truth be told, it scared me.

It scared me that it could take my power away.

The thing I feared the most.

My phone buzzed, and I held my smoke in my mouth as I pulled it from my purse and took in a text.

Mom:Congratulations, Caterina. I’m so proud of you. I wish I could be there.

Caterina:Thank you, Mom. XOXO.

Even if I hadn’t gotten her out of the city and away from my father until things had died down with the takedown, she wouldn’t have been able to come, anyway. It would have been seen as a slight against my father, her supporting me. She liked to imagine that it wouldn’t have been the case, but it was just wishful thinking.

I stowed my phone back inside my purse, then continued smoking on the patio flanking the beautiful gardens surrounding the banquet hall as I stared at my gold-plated award with my name engraved on it as Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

“Long time, darlin’.”

I spun at the sound of the familiar voice to see Julian approaching me, decked out in a sleek gray designer suit, the lapels shining with sequins. Bold choice, just like him.

A smile pulled at my lips and I butted out my smoke, then leaned back against the half-wall on the patio as he reached me. “I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”

“Had to see my former title being won by somebody worthy.”

“Yeah, it’s really something,” I murmured, looking back through the patio doors at the dozens of business people milling about inside, some sitting and drinking at their tables with silver tablecloths and linens and vibrant purple vases as centerpieces. It definitely offset the bland beige walls and matching carpet.

He frowned. “You don’t seem as ecstatic as you should be after being embraced by the entire business community of Tolhurst tonight, your efforts and hard work being rewarded and recognized.”

“My father has summoned me. I’m to head up there soon.”

“I know. Nico told us.”

“Did he also tell you about the contract? One I know I’m going to be forced to agree to and sign tonight.”

“He did and I’m sorry. It’s fucked up beyond belief. He’s sick about it too. We all are. Just know that it won’t play out like that in reality. He won’t let that be done to you.” He reached out and cupped my cheek in an incredibly tender way as he basically vowed, “None of us will, Cat.”

I couldn’t help smiling at the sweet conviction rolling through him. “Thank you.”

He dropped his hand, then told me, “You know, it’s really sucked not being able to contact you for days on end. I mean, as Nico explained, it was what’s best, but it didn’t make it any better knowing that, really.”

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