Page 130 of River & Crown
"Permission? We both know Navy does what she wants."
"That we do." Lucian chuckled. "I'm sure you love her because of it. Navy is everything the woman who broke your heart wasn't. As her father, I admire the man you are for her. As your boss, I'm disappointed. I've taught you better than to fall in love with the first pretty face you see. In our world, love is a liability. I've watched you over the years become dulled by your feelings for my daughter. She's a distraction. That light of hers is not just a guide for you but your enemies as well. They take one look at Navy and realize she's the crack in your armor.Chi si lascia guidare dal cuore, finisce col tradire la mente."(He who lets the heart lead will betray the mind.) And betrayal, even unintentional, always has a price."
"Fuck you say?" I gritted through clenched teeth, grabbing him by his suit jacket.
"Choyce." Lucian's tone was deliberate, steady, giving a silent order that I knew too fucking well.
"Don't pull your shit out unless you plan to use it," I warned Choyce.
The corners of her mouth curled into a slight smirk. Her hands slipped toward the hem of her black Italian-cut suit jacket. I followed her movements, noticing the thigh holster. Her fingers curled around the handle of a Glock 43. She moved with precision, bringing the gun from her thigh and pressing it against my temple. Running my tongue over my teeth, I shoved Lucian away from me, but the gun remained aimed.
"There's no need for us to be physical or for Choyce to leave your brains on the floor for your people to find. I came to have a civilized conversation. Can we do that?"
I nodded, unmoved by his fake attempt at peace.
"Choyce."
At the mere sound of her name, Choyce moved the gun and stepped back in line with Lucian.
"Now, you came to me asking for my help about River's accident."
"I didn't ask for your help. I asked if you had anything to do with it."
"Accusations are just your way of asking for my help indirectly."
"If that's your perception." I shrugged indifferently.
"I'm not the enemy here. I want to help you, but before I do, I need a favor."
Letting out a bitter laugh, I rubbed along my jaw.
"What more could you possibly want from me? There's a price tag on my life set by you. My brothers and I are already acting as enforcers for your son and his wife. A percentage of my business endeavors goes to you and?—"
"I want you to kill my son."
Chapter 33
Choyce Mancinelli
"Iwant you to kill my son."
Until this very moment, I've been able to keep my composure. I sauntered into the room, equally parts elegance and threat. Earlier in the day, Lucian called my phone, demanding that I accompany him to a meeting with Honor. Not that I had a choice. I agreed since seeing Honor was on my list of things to do, anyway. An hour before it was time to leave, a man holding a garment bag appeared at my door. Inside was a suit along with a note.
Wear the suit tonight. From here on out, suits are mandatory. Wearing one allows for men to not only see you but listen. It commands respect, and as a woman wanting to play in a league full of men, you have no room to ask for power... you must take it.
The advice Lucian gave was sound. He wanted me to be heard and not seen. I took heed, choosing to wear only theblack Italian cut suit jacket. How he managed to get my measurements, I didn't know, but the jacket kissed every curve of my thick frame. Sharp at the shoulders, cinched at the waist, and ending mid-thigh. The deep V revealed the glint of a sleek black bra that I wore as more of a statement than an undergarment. My legs, were covered in sheer stockings and a thigh holster peeked from beneath the hem of my jacket.
Lucian didn't want me to be seen, but being seen is my greatest power. The flutter of my lashes revealed hypnotic eyes with a soft gaze, with juicy lips parting as a sneaky grin peeked through. Each step I took my voluptuous hips swayed, my ass jiggled. I moved with a quiet authority that went unnoticed because a man couldn't see beyond my beauty. I was a walking distraction. Power dressed in precision, danger draped in couture, and by the time my enemy realized it, they were dead.
I trained myself never to let an enemy see me sweat. To keep my emotions from knocking me off balance. And from the moment I walked in here, I've done just that. The room pulsed with tension. Two men who hated each other yet still carried a grudging respect for the other. During it all, I stayed grounded and unshaken.
Even when Lucian ordered me to raise my gun at Honor, I didn't hesitate. I pressed the barrel to his temple, safety off, the room stalling in angst, waiting for the command to squeeze. Had Lucian given the word, Honor's body would've been beneath my feet. I held my own, wearing a hard glare, lips taut, and brows drawn low. Cold. Controlled. I felt nothing. Until...
"I want you to kill my son."
It caved my chest, my shoulders folding forward as my eyes searched the floor beneath me.
"You want me to do what?" Honor asked his voice too steady, too fucking void of the emotions I needed to hear for the sake of Cherish.
