Page 61 of Poison Vows

“I’m here to support you in any way that you need,” Vaughn says.

I study him. “You want to support me?”

“Yes,” Vaughn says, and then gestures behind him to the double doors at the end of the hallway. “Let’s take a walk.”

I stare at him. Of course he agrees with Senator Hughes. The title for the next boss depends on this.

“You might not believe me, but I came here to inform the senator that the date for the decision has been moved,” Vaughn says sincerely.

“It was moved?”

“Yes,” he says. “Instead of tonight, it’ll be two weeks from now.”

Two weeks… is this the unexpected change of plans that happened today?

“When was this decided?”

“I, uh, I asked Grandfather this morning. I just thought you’d need some time, after last night…”

Almost instantly, a ripple of chills slithers down my back.

“Did you tell him?” I demand, glaring at Vaughn. “Did you tell Senator Hughes about last night?”

“No, I didn’t,” Vaughn quickly reassures, his voice low. “I just said some private matters need to be handled within our family. I didn’t tell him anything about you.”

A wretched breath escapes my lips.

All my family reunion fantasies came crashing down hard when the reality of who my parents really are and why they abandoned me became apparent.

I’d hate it if they find out what happened to me simply because I know their reaction won’t be concern or worry.

“You were with him?” Vaughn suddenly asks. I can feel his searching gaze on me, studying every minute expression on my face.

“Yes,” I mutter. I was with your rival.

“Can’t say I’m surprised. We were in the middle of an incredibly high-stakes meeting when he suddenly got up and left in that cold, detached, nonchalant way of his. At first, I didn’t think much of it. He tends to do bizarre things like that, but later when I found out, I…” He trails off. “Anyway, I’m sure that bastard who dared to harm you has been dealt with. The next phase was also handled.”

“The next phase? What do you mean?”

“He didn’t tell you?” I can only stare at him like an idiot. “Well, firstly you should know that by now you’re already considered an Easton. What happened to you is seen as a threat to the entire Family, so the next phase is obviously that fuckhead’s family, friends, and instigators being dealt with too.”

My jaw almost drops to the floor. “What?”

Vaughn smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

“My cousin should’ve told you, but I’m also not surprised that he didn’t. He’s not in the habit of explaining anything to anyone, though it’s been noted with the speed of things that you’re an exception.”

I’m even more confused now, and my head is starting to spin.

“Hold on,” I mutter, trying to wrap my mind around all this. “What are you talking about? Not everyone’s in the Mafia, you know!”

Vaughn chuckles this time, and then he gestures toward the open doors that lead to the backyard of the senator’s house.

“In our family, revenge is not something trivial or something to be done on a whim,” Vaughn starts, looking ahead with his hands behind his back, but walking close to my side. “Revenge must always be absolute, profound, and thoroughly dealt out.”

“What does that entail?” I ask. Apparently even something as sinister as revenge is a meticulous activity in Emmett’s world.

“The wiping out of an enemy’s entire family tree, among other things.”

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