Page 82 of The Villain
“But youwanther.”
I clench my teeth, nodding once. Angelo does know me. Lucky for me, he is not an enemy because if he were, he’d see the path to attack.
“So you’ll marry Allegra Moretti. And then?”
“Michael will bend the knee and Lombardi is out. Michael I can control. Malek Lombardi is a different animal. He wants power. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t try to take it in this same way, except he’d get rid of the brother altogether.”
Because I have thought about this possibility. Michael, as inept as he is, is the only son of Alaric Moretti. His family will follow him. Malek Lombardi does not have their loyalty, at least he didn’t before Alaric’s death. Now, given Michael’s ineptitude, he has gained some supporters. I’ve seen that myself. But it’s not enough or he’d have made his move already. If he managed to get Michael out of the way, binding Allegra to him would seal the deal. A woman wouldn’t rule the family. That’s just not done. But this scenario? It could work. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes.
“It’s a solid idea,” Angelo says, interrupting my thoughts. “If you’re going to make a move, this is the time. They are at their weakest and, like you said, you have the girl. This union would offer them a less bloody way out of their current situation. But you’d better do it soon and quietly.”
I chuckle internally at the thought of Allegra goingquietly to the altar or anywhere else for that matter. But it will be done. Sooner rather than later. “Arrange it. Before we leave Atlantic City,” I tell him.
He doesn’t even blink. Just nods. “See you at dinner, Cassian.”
22
ALLEGRA
Ilock myself in the bedroom as soon as I’m back upstairs and call Amal. On the fifth ring, I worry it will go to voicemail when she finally answers.
“Allegra?” she says breathlessly like she’s running.
“Thank God,” I say, relieved to hear her.
“It worked? He actually gave you the phone?”
“What were you thinking going to him?” I ask, angry at her for taking such a risk. “And how? Doesn’t your father have guards on you?”
“I’m not a big fish, like you. And it’s fine, Jet’s fine.”
“Jet’s not fine. He’s dangerous and I don’t want you to have any contact with him. Why are you out of breath anyway?”
“I ran up the stairs when I saw it was you. Listen. I need to tell you something.”
“Promise me first that you won’t have anything more to do with Jethro Blackstone.”
“Listen, Allegra, something’s going on. I’m not sure what, but there’s just a lot of activity here.”
“What activity?”
“Lots of people coming and going. Governor Moore for one. And my father met with the Blackstones.”
“What?”
“At least, he was at the club. I overheard his driver mention it to one of the other soldiers. I think Michael’s trying to get the money to get you back.”
“By borrowing it from the Blackstones?”
“I don’t know, I just heard snippets of conversation I’m trying to put together. I mean, that’s good news, right? You’ll come home.”
“At what cost? If he borrows money to buy me back, then what?” What happens next? Is marriage to Richard Moore or someone else back on the table? The family is weak. And what about Cassian? Do I want to be freed of him? I should want that. Of course I should.
Cassian’s soldiers allowed Jet’s visit to me. I don’t know if he paid them off, if this was a one-time thing or what, but what if it wasn’t? What if it’s part of a bigger plan. Jet was pissed off at Cassian. He’s declared as much. Would he betray him? Cassian is dangerous. I know that. But is Jet more so? And what about Cassian’s family? What did Jet say? That I could be in danger because of Cassian’s claim on me? I make myself look down at my hand, the nub that remains of one finger. It’s ugly, so ugly. I can almost see that butcher knife still stained with my mother’s blood coming down right before my eyes. See my finger lying beside my hand, the blood, the moment of disbelief before I registered the pain.
Commotion in the outer room has me climbing up offthe bed to cross to the door. I press my ear to it and recognize a woman’s voice. Elenora. It must be the dress.
“Amal, I have to go. I’m going to try to figure out what’s going on here, but please just stay away from Jet and his family. Stay away from all of it. It’s not safe.”
