Page 49 of Twisted Trust
“Yes,” I say quickly and my arm slips back around Maeve’s waist. This time, she doesn’t try to escape me and instead turns into me by placing one hand lightly on my abdomen. “Father, this is Maeve. Maeve Jackson. She is the beautiful woman who finally said yes when I popped the question.”
Maeve tenses by my side. While in my eyes I branded her a traitor for her possible betrayal, her identity was never revealed to anyone else because I knew as soon as someone found out that I’d been sleeping with her all summer long, I’d be on the chopping block too. Back then, my plan was to kill her andpresent her dead body to those left from the explosion as proof that the leak was sealed, but I’d never been able to find her.
And now I have an inclination why.
But I share Maeve’s tension. There’s always a chance my father did his own digging and found out things I never want him to discover. He might recognize her or her name and end this almost as quickly as it started. Maeve must fear the same, given how she’s rigid under my arm despite the pleasant smile on her beautiful face.
“My.” Elio smiles suddenly. “It’s lovely to meet you, my dear. Are you alright?” After removing his coat, he indicates to the healing shadows on her face.
“I was mugged a couple of weeks ago,” Maeve answers honestly. “Levi actually saved my life.”
“Isn’t that romantic?” Elio’s smile widens. “This is unexpected but not at all unwelcome.”
If he suspects anything, there’s no hint of it in his voice or his eyes. I think we’re in the clear. Breathing out deeply as I relax, Maeve seems to follow suit and soon, she’s less stiff under my arm, though there’s a faint tremble running through her arm. Facing me is one thing, but my father’s reputation is worldwide. Meeting the Don of the XXX Syndicate is not to be taken lightly by anyone.
“How do you feel about a wedding in two weeks? That should give Marcella enough time to finalize everything, don’t you think?”
“Two weeks?” Maeve chokes out suddenly, and there’s a fleeting panic in her eyes when our gazes meet.
Elio crosses over to the drinks cabinet built into the wall and quickly pours himself a scotch. “Is two weeks too soon? We could stretch to a month if that’s preferable, but the longer we wait, the weaker your claim becomes, Levi. The sooner we seal the deal, the sooner the two of you can get started on securingyourself an heir. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from getting started right now. A pretty young thing like you?” He tilts his glass toward Maeve and then drinks. “Babies will be no issue.”
It’s not exactly the type of conversation I want to have with my father until I’ve spoken to Maeve, but a quick glance at her tells me she’s already putting the pieces together about what I really get out of this engagement. I would have liked to break the news to her more gently, but now the cat’s really out of the bag.
“Don’t look so shocked, my dear.” Elio chuckles while easing himself down onto the couch. “There is no better way to secure Levi’s claim to leadership than an heir. The old generals and the traditionalists will always prefer a blood heir over any other route. A new family, a new leader, risks a bloody transfer of power and regime change, and no one wants to live through something like that. Especially not with the Marinos.” He drowns his next words in his drink.
Maeve pushes me away gently, but I catch the prod of her fingers beneath my ribs. She’s pissed and I don’t blame her.
“It was lovely to meet you, but I have to tend to my son,” Maeve says with a tight smile. She briefly ducks her head and then vanishes, leaving my father to gape after her in shock. Then his head whips around to face me.
“Son? She already has a kid?”
I nod and recover my earlier wine glass. “Yes. A boy.”
“Hmm.” Elio sucks on his teeth and drinks. “Your mother may have an issue with that, but it doesn't matter. This late in the game, we can’t afford to be fussy. She’s young, pretty, and the sooner you stuff a kid in her, the better.”
“Dad,” I groan, draining my glass. “She’s my fiancée, so can you be a bit more tactful, please? She’s not some breeding sow.”
“Her only worth is in her ability to bear you an heir, Levi,” he scolds sharply. “If she can’t do that, then I don’t care how prettyshe is. You will need to find someone else. Unless you plan on handing the entire organization over to your uncle?”
“I don’t ever plan on that,” I reply stiffly. “I’m just asking for a bit more care when you’re around her, that's all.”
“Hmm.” Elio drains his glass and then stands suddenly as an idea strikes him. “We must plan an engagement party. It will be a celebration for you and a giganticfuck youto your Uncle Riccardo. I’m sick of his smug smile because he’s so sure that Antony has a clear path to victory. He won’t see this coming, the smug little dick.” Elio snatches up his jacket from where he left it and then points at me. “Impregnate her, son, as soon as you can.”
With that, he’s gone like a sudden and vibrant tornado that vanishes as quickly as it forms, leaving an eerie silence in his wake.
Shit.
I wanted to talk to Maeve myself about my circumstances, but it’s rather freeing now that it’s all out in the open. We both benefit from this partnership and I know she will do anything to keep her son with her. Just like I will do anything to ensure control of XXX Syndicate remains in my family.
So why do I feel uneasy as I walk toward her room with the intention of explaining it all to her? Will she even look at me or will she want to leave? There’s only so long I can hold Scott over her because soon, Hillary will close her case on Maeve and she won’t need me anymore.
Knocking softly on her bedroom door, I receive no answer so I push it open gently and peer inside. Maeve is tucked under the covers with her son sleeping soundly next to her. Her shallow breathing hints at sleep, but I walk deeper into the room until I can see her face.
Her eyes are closed and she appears fast asleep. Or she’s pretending.
Either way, giving her time to process feels like the best option, so after watching the two of them sleep for a few minutes, I slip out of the room and close the door. And like every single time I look at him, something about Scott’s face stirs something deep in my chest.
I push that feeling away and return to my study where I focus on chasing up several casino deals until exhaustion guides me into an uneasy sleep. Maeve and Scott are gone when I wake up, but Donald sends constant updates about their location. He’s taking Scott to school and then Maeve has requested a tour around event locations and hotels to see if she can find a job.
