Page 75 of Cruelest Vow

She pulled away, still smiling while I could tell her mind was calculating odds as well as needs. “One day, our empire will become a threat.”

“It already is.” I took a few seconds before tugging the wedding band from my finger, sliding it into the pocket of my trousers. Her immediate look of horror turned into one of knowing.

“I’m to stay out of sight for the duration of this meeting.”

“Yes. I hope you understand.”

Lucia glanced away, twirling the diamond-encrusted band surrounding her finger. “I do. The element of surprise will be in our favor.”

“Yes. At some point you’ll need to contact your father.”

“I know. Just so you’re aware, Aleksei Volkov is the only son of the Bratva Pakhan eligible for marriage. Grigori’s two other sons are underage.”

“I can see my wife has been spending what little free time she has digging.”

“I refuse to play the princess and not the warrior.”

Grinning, I shook my head. “Good, since you’re my queen. It’s possible the Volkovs are already in town, especially given Enzo is likely alive, telling the tale of your deceit.”

“He is. I checked with the hospital. Don’t worry, husband of mine, all under the guise of the family’s attorney.” When I gave her a funny look, she rolled her eyes. “I do know my way around attorneys, you know, learning their speak.”

“My very talented if mischievous wife.”

“What’s the plan?”

“That’s what’s happening this morning. First, we’ll pay your father an unusual visit. I assure you that he’ll tip his hand. Then we deal with Franco and Mattia.”

“What about Sophia and your other brother? Sophia is still in college, living with my parents.”

“I’ll instruct my men to take your sister to safety. You’ll need to place your trust in them as you would in me. Tomaso has a life far removed from our world. My guess is he’s boating in the Mediterranean.”

She took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds. “Lucky him. Trust will be difficult. If anything happens to Sophia…” She didn’t finish the sentence, but she didn’t need to. I understood. She’d lost enough already.

“When control has been shifted, I’ll need to sit down with what remains of the Five Families. Theywilloffer their fidelity to me.”

“Arrogance looks good on you. What about your father? He won’t let the torch pass easily. Neither will Mattia. Especially after learning of our marriage.”

I’d thought of little else since I’d left our bed in the wee hours. “Franco is dying of cancer. He should abandon his reign without issue.”

“And if not?”

“Then I’ll deal with it. As far as Mattia. The man deserves to be punished for his treachery.”

“You say that yet you’re not entirely certain he was behind the trap you were placed in or the shooting outside the coffee shop.”

“Again, you’ll need to trust me. I’ll know.”

Her face remained pensive for a few seconds before she smiled. “I know you will. You’ll do the right thing.”

The right thing.

As if I knew any longer what that meant. What I did know was that this would need to be played out carefully but with enough force no one would dare cross me for some time to come. Yes, it would happen again, someone daring to defy my authority, but by then my empire would be too powerful to destroy.

When we both heard a knock on the front door, she pressed her hand against my heart. “Remember if only for a few minutes the boy I knew so long ago, the one with decency in his heart. I love you, Dar. I’ll stay locked away upstairs until your meeting is finished. This time.”

There was such heaviness to her step as she walked away, which added to the anger and hatred that could no longer be denied.

Wars had been fought over greed, lust for power and need for control. They’d also been won and lost over nothing more than the treachery of love.

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