“Which is a given with our bloodlines.”
This is why Andreas and I drew closer over the years. He understood the unspoken horrors of our birthrights. We didn’t have to hide or lie because we just knew.
“My dad dying… while it was an end to my tie to him, I was meant to take his place. As the only heir to the name, I was meant to step up and take over.”
“And you couldn’t just tell me that?”
“I was worried that if you knew I was meant to take over my father’s role, you’d run a mile. I mean, isn’t that what you’re about? Putting miles between you and your father’s name?”
I grace him with a sad smile. My anger is still burning. He’ll never understand how hot it is until I’m ready to rain down hell, but I’m not ashamed of giving him the softer side of me.
“Today was meant to be the day I took over.”
“But that guy shaking all the hands got there first?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“He something special to you?”
I grin wickedly as the answer tantalises my tongue. It’s as if any maudlin emotion dies as he asks the golden question.
“Oh, Andreas. You have no idea.”
With a pointed look, he raises an eyebrow, questioning my motives as they start to wake. I know now he’ll never guess the truth.
“I don’t like that tone.”
Of course he doesn’t.
“Do you trust me?”
I don’t need to ask this question to know the answer.
“With my life.”
Just what I thought.
“Then let the games begin, Andreas Giannotti.”