Page 45 of Vicious Heir

“Lucille, I’m sorry.”

I think I black out. At least, it feels like I do. Helena Willing-Morris just apologized, which implies she has something to apologize for, which implies she somehow did something wrong. Which I always thought was impossible.

I can’t even fathom how this is happening.

She keeps talking, obviously ignoring my stunned stare.

“I never should have gotten involved with that man Demir Yilmaz, and I most certainly never should have involved you. Based on your reaction, I’m not sure you know the full story yet. But you’ll understand soon enough. Everything I’ve done in my life has been in service of ensuring this family’s survival, and that deal with Yilmaz was no different. However, I can see how it was wrong, and I am sorry to you specifically, Lucille. You will have to deal with the fallout of my decisions. God help you, and I pray you’re stronger than I think you are.”

Holy hell. Grandmother apologizing and admitting a mistake. I’m having trouble forming thoughts. I almost miss that little dig at the very end, which is pretty standard for her.

“Thank you?”

“Don’t say it like a question, dear, it’s weak.” She gets up and begins clearing the tea. “I’ve said what I wanted to say. You’re dismissed.”

I stand up automatically. What does this mean? What exactly did she promise that Yilmaz man and how does it involve me? I want to ask her to explain, but I’ve been dismissed. I know better than to linger. I grab my dresses and leave the room.

I find Kennedy in the hall. She seems concerned. “Are you okay?” she whispers.

“I’m fine.” I glance over my shoulder. “She apologized.”

Kennedy looks stunned. “Seriously?”

“I know. I’m kind of in shock.”

“Is she sick? Oh, god, she’s finally dying, isn’t she?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Did the laws of physics flip upside down? Oh, no, I get it. Pigs are flying.”

“I think she just regrets a choice.” The weight of that conversation slowly settles on my shoulders. “And I have a feeling it has to do with that car bomb last night.”

Kennedy’s grin fades away. “Should we be worried?”

“Definitely.” I heft the dress bag. “But for now, let’s just get packed. I’ll figure this out later.”

Chapter 15

Adriano

My fist thuds into the Gray Wolf operative’s chin. His face snaps sideways, and he groans. Blood leaks from a wound in his gut.

Fucking Vittorio did a number on this guy. He’s sliced up and barely alive. The other man is in better shape, only a few broken bones. I have him chained to the wall and drugged into unconsciousness.

This one, though, doesn’t have very long.

“Did Demir send the car?” I ask and hit him again. It sends a thrill of pleasure into my veins, hurting him like this. I’m twisted and broken, and all I know is death and suffering. Like my father, like his father before him. I am hell. I am sin and suffering. And anyone who gets in my way will break.

“I don’t know,” he murmurs, groaning, his head lolling. He’s tied to a chair set over a drain. The floor beneath him is stained a light rusty red.

“What relationship does Demir have with my wife?” I walk to a nearby table and lift up a rusty carving knife.

“Please.” The man’s eyes widen. He’s in his early thirties with a thick black beard and a scarred face. Clearly, he’s one of Gray Wolf’s street thugs. “I don’t know.”

I stab straight into his hand. He screams, arching his back. I feel the blade scrape over bone.

“Did Demir send the car?” I ask, leaning into the blade. The man’s thumb slices off with a wet sucking noise. It falls to the floor, and he starts shaking in terror. “What relationship does Demir have with my wife?”

---