Page 28 of The Queen
“Welcome to the family, asshole.”
“Not quite. Only the big guy gets to say that to me.”
“It’s good enough for now. Prove yourself, and I’ll pave the golden path.”
“Consider it done.”
He nods, and with a vicious scowl at James, he stalks off out of the basement, passing the other guys on the way down who watch him in surprise, but don’t try to stop him.
I get them up to speed and then declare, “I need to sleep and eat and then sleep some more.”
“Food first,” James murmurs worriedly, but my stare makes him keep his mouth shut about the fainting. I don’t need everyone to know that.
“Fair enough,” I murmur, and we head upstairs to the kitchen.
14
RAPHAEL
All caughtup with the Felix situation and slightly blindsided but rolling with the punches because I trust my girl, the doorbell shatters the silence, abrupt and demanding as we stroll through the Entrance Hall on the way to the kitchen. I glance at Tarquin, who’s just as thrown off by the unexpected visitor. We’re not used to interruptions in our carefully controlled world.
“Did we shut the gates?” Oliver asks suspiciously.
“Yeah, which means only one thing…” I glance at Tarq.
“Dad,” he sighs.
“Or another creepy box,” Eliza murmurs. “Or Lila.”
“Thought the box was Felix, and he is now on our side, and if it’s Lila, be prepared to organise her funeral.”
“Noted,” she murmurs and stands down. I fucking love her so much.
I stride over and swing the door open to reveal Dad in all his glory.
He ispissed.
Actually, that’s an understatement.
He is practically on fire, and he is fuming that badly.
“Raphael, Tarquin,” he greets us, voice like gravel, no hint of warmth. He steps past me.
He brushes by Eliza without so much as a flicker in her direction. She stands still, a statue carved from poise and grace, her sharp green eyes tracking his every move. Her eyebrow goes up, and she mouths, “Okay, then.”
“Go to the kitchen; we’ll be there in a bit,” I murmur, kissing the top of her head and exchanging another look with Tarquin. We know better than to keep him waiting. Instead, we follow him to the living room.
“Let’s cut straight to the chase, boys,” Dad starts, sinking into an armchair like it’s a throne and crossing his legs while he gives us a regal glare. “I hear things are not all that great.”
“Things are fine,” I state.No weakness.
“Fine,” he murmurs.
“But now that you’re here, help your boys out a smidge. Did you know Eliza was a Gannon?”
He narrows his eyes. “I did.”
“Did you also know that the Gannons were part of this alliance a while back?”
