Page 92 of Wicked Rivals

Those men never seemed to value the opinions or advice of others but instead parroted the words of their boss back at him, like these two idiots at the table were now doing for Lordi.

That made their world very small.

It also made men like Lordi overly confident, a trait that could become a weakness to be leveraged against him.

On the other hand, it also made him a genuine threat. Arrogant. Unafraid. Destructive. Acting like “a bull in a China shop,” as my grandmother had always said.

“My impatience has nothing to do with my age,” I said.

Then I lowered my voice to signal an impending warning.

He’d deliberately not answered my question again.

“I’m a busy man with important business matters to handle, and this waste of my time affects my patience.”

“Ah. Yes, I hear congratulations are in order. Taking the Capaldo girl as your bride is definitely important business. You’ve managed to grab yourself a fine young woman. Not to mention she comes with one hell of a dowry. Her father's men will be yours within the year.

“We know Benedict Capaldo is a very sick man with one foot already in the grave. Seems the princess’s uncles have disappeared, as have her brothers, and all under mysterious circumstances, I hear.”

“Is that right?” I asked. “I hadn’t heard. The Capaldo family certainly wouldn’t be the first to suffer a string of terrible luck.”

Almost a confession on my part.

He knew it as well as I did.

Showing my cards? Not at all. I’d just added to the pot.

Lordi shifted his fat ass around in his chair, and his expression darkened.

“Yes, well, that terrible luck means a great deal for you. If you’re married to Capaldo’s daughter when he dies, you'll be entitled to his empire. How convenient for you.”

I offered a halfhearted shrug.

“That’s my business, not yours. You still haven’t gotten to the point. I hope you do still have one.”

“My point, boy, is your wedding. I invited you here to make an offer… let’s just call it a wedding gift.”

Nothing good could follow that statement.

I stood still with my shoulders relaxed despite my pulse rushing inside my ears. Whatever game this prick had in mind, I didn't like being at a disadvantage.

This rat bastard clearly had a plan.

He wouldn’t have called me here if not.

I’d assumed I would have him figured out by this time. Unfortunately, he gave nothing away, leaving me with no idea what to expect.

Fuck. I needed to get out of there.

I brought my expression into check, realizing I’d narrowed my eyes, and went back to my indifferent stare.

“Well, I'm sure Benedetta is registered at Neiman Marcus and Saks. I hear she loves all things red.”

The men laughed. I waited for their wine-soaked chuckles to stop. Barely four in the afternoon, and these assholes were well on their way to being intoxicated.

Drinking so early in the day was a rookie mistake, even for someone like Lordi. It made men slow and careless. I could have drawn my pistol and put a bullet between his eyes before the other two realized what had happened.

For a second, I let myself entertain the fantasy. But it would force the other Commission members to retaliate. I would be no better than him for doing the same to my father.

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