Page 119 of Poison Vows

“Since you know everything about my life, why ask me about your own grandson?” I seethe, beyond the acts of civility with this man as my chest aches so much, I might pass out. “And, to be clear, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You don’t know?”

“Yes,” I croak. “Isn’t Vaughn your preferred lackey? You likely know him inside out. Besides, he and I just met. We’re not that close to know each other’s secrets.”

The old man tilts his head to the left, calmly studying me, not at all bothered as much as I am. “And yet you were about to choose him earlier.”

I almost cough a lung out.

Gone is the man who was just recounting fond memories of his wife. In his place is the real head of the prestigious and powerful Easton Family.

“And you want to make him heir instead of the rightful one,” I fire back.

Grandpa Armando chuckles. “Is this how you’ve misled yourself into believing fairy tales? By acting like you’re unaware of what’s really going on?”

I gasp.

“Vaughn is nothing like the grandson I’m actually talking about.”

“Then who are you talking about?” I ask, acting nonchalant and blasé.

“I’m talking about the one that has never ever asked for my permission to do anything, including wiping out every rogue act of aggression and violence targeted at someone for these past several years.”

A sharp pain shoots in my chest.

“He does whatever he wants with the power, resources, and influence this family has amassed in generations of growth, dominion, and success with no regard for protocol. Granted, his brilliance is extremely rare. He has managed to triple branches that have been deemed unprofitable by experts. But why when I send for him, does he refuse to leave that damned town of Westbrook Blues as long as someone is there?”

The old man stares at me with a withering, fierce glare.

“This same grandson has a level of ruthlessness that even I struggle to get a hold of. He’s focused. Never wavers from his goals, no matter what you throw at him. His disrespect for elders in his own family has given me grief, and I have just about had it.”

Fear, unbridled and in waves, hits me square in the chest.

“Vaughn told me that Emmett lost all his power,” I accuse. “You did that, didn’t you?”

The old man doesn’t even bat an eye when he admits to it.

“Not only did I demote him severely, I sent him away knowing damn well he likely won’t make it back.”

I clench the sides of my dress as tightly as I can, I think my nails might poke through the fabric.

“You see, Ivy Marie,” The old man leans back. “My grandson is nothing like these simple idiots running around here, flexingthe power afforded to them only by the name I gave them! Alessio is different. Strip away his last name, he’s still much more formidable and powerful than anyone that has been in my position for generations. But you know what irks me the most?”

I shake my head, to which he smiles tightly before his face transforms into one of absolute rage.

“That little shit doesn’t care!” he snaps.

I almost jump in my seat, but I hold on tight, Scar’s words from before echoing in my ear.

“That brilliant grandson of mine doesn’t care one bit for this family!” he seethes. “In today’s world, he has more power, wealth, and influence than his own mother! There’s nothing he can’t do. His intellect alone is enough to topple over our one enemy, but at look what he did, that little weasel…”

I’m pretty sure he’s talking about Astraea and George’s family, but I dare not disturb his rant.

“No matter how much I have punished him, tried to whittle away his indifference, make him feel something… he remains completely detached from me. Always stoic, obscure, rebellious, and disrespectful!” He bangs his fist on the armchair. “What kind of grandson ignores his own grandfather, leaving me to fend for myself as if he dumped me in some disgusting, funky-smelling decrepit people’s home?”

For the first time since we started talking, I can tell this is Grandpa Armando’s vulnerable, sore spot.

“That’s your issue? Emmett’s coldness toward you?” I scoff, shaking my head. “Do you blame him?”

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