Page 15 of Villainous Soul

“I don’t see why that’s my job.”

His hand wrapped around my upper arm, gripping it like a vice. “Because I said so.”

He opened the door to a room, and we went inside. Sir Leonard was sitting in a leather chair before a large mahogany desk. “Here she is,” Keir said. “I had to steal her away from the new Irishman.”

“Aye, Aidan, he’s a sly one, but you can’t fault the man for trying. Your bride-to-be is quite beautiful.” The old man lifted a bushy eyebrow.

“Absolutely,” Keir agreed.

“My dear,” Sir Leonard started. “I apologize for not offering my felicitations on your upcoming nuptials. Please come sit next to me.” He motioned to the chair to the right of him. I walked over and sat down. “I’m afraid I was confused that you weren’t already married, considering the magnitude of the weekend.”

I looked to Keir for help, but he had moved to a side table and was pouring himself and Sir Leonard whiskey from a decanter.

“I’m not quite sure I understand. I said we were waiting for a time when my family could attend. I couldn’t be married without them present. But we do plan to marry.” I hoped I sounded convincing, and my deceit was not reflected in my face.

“Being married and planning to marry are two entirely separate things.” He turned to Keir. “I’m afraid I can’t endorse you for Grand Master this weekend, Wilson.”

“I don’t think you have a choice,” he said, handing Sir Leonard his glass. “The title is mine. I’m the wealthiest man here.”

Leonard held his glass to the firelight, examining the amber contents before inhaling with his sharp, beaked nose. “But you’re not married,” he pointed out blandly. He took a sip and smiled. “You never skimp when it comes to fine Scotch.”

“I will be married. Evie is proof,” Keir said.

“Look, I’m no fool, Wilson. Either you two marry tonight or I’ll make sure one of the Patels is voted in instead.”

“We can’t marry tonight. We need the proper licenses, and you know it. Bilderberg is mine. I won’t let you take it away from me.”

“I’m not taking anything away from you. This was yours to lose. And trust me when I say I understand no other man out there is qualified to sit at Bilderberg, but I will not let you break a two-hundred-year-old rule. It’s there for a reason,” he spat. “Now, lucky for you, my Lily just so happens to be a humanist celebrant. She has brought the proper paperwork, we will backdate the forms, and I will make sure it gets pushed through the Registrar General. I have friends in high places who are always willing to do me a favor. It’s a simple solution.”

“You fucking planned this,” Keir sneered, setting down his glass.

“I’ll let you two discuss it,” Sir Leonard said, standing up. “You’re not above the rules, Wilson.” He left, shutting the door behind him.

“I have no idea what he was talking about, but I’m not marrying you. This is where I draw the line.” I stood up.

He shook his head and walked to the mantel, slamming his fist onto the wood. “I will not let something I’ve worked so hard for slip through my fingers.”

“What’s Bilderberg anyway?” I asked.

“It’s the most important meeting in the western hemisphere. Wars, the economy, and climate change are just a few items discussed. Only the most powerful people are invited, and decisions are made that will affect the entire world.”

“I thought you had kings and prime ministers to handle those things,” I said.

“The monarchy has no power, and prime ministers are elected by the rich. Who do you think funds their campaigns,” he explained.

“And this weekend?”

“This weekend is a representation of Bilderberg but involves just the UK. The men out there are the most powerful in Britain.”

“So, this is all about power to you.”

“It’s about what I deserve,” he hissed.

“You have no idea what power really is. I won’t marry you.”

He walked toward me, and I stepped back until my thighs hit the front of the desk, and I had nowhere to go. “Youwillmarry me,” he commanded.

I shook my head. “No, it wasn’t part of our deal.”

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