Page 92 of The Fall of a Promise

Caishen’s men immediately start shooting, and some rush down to the main level. I look over to my left and elbow one ofCaishen’s puppets in the gut. When he hunches over, I use the heel of my hand to break his nose before picking the rifle off of him.

Chapter Twenty-Five

NICO—Two days before

"Ican help you get your wife back,” Xander states, the English accent throwing me off.

Then I remember he was mostly raised in London.

Without responding, I stare at him to gauge his body language. He’s eerily calm for someone who has a gun pointed at his head, but his fury is there. I can see it brewing, simmering just on the surface.

“Nico,” Bash barks from beside me.

I give Xander one last assessment before lowering my weapon.

“You better start talking before I put a bullet between your eyes.”

Turning back to the lounge chair, I take a seat. My brother remains standing but leans against the mantle. I’m hanging on by a thread here. I just had to call my father-in-law and admit I failed my wife. My hands are shaking. I haven’t even looked in a mirror. I’ve never felt more out of control. Cesare and Dominic both move to sit as well. I notice Dominic has his hand trained on his weapon.

I note that Xander is alone. There might be a guard outside, but he didn’t bring one in. Interesting. What’s his game? Looking over at my brother, I can tell he’s thinking the same thing.

“We both have a common goal,” Xander says confidently as he struts over to the bar that somehow wasn’t destroyed in all the chaos. “May I?” he asks.

Before I reply, he’s already pouring himself a glass. If I weren’t so interested in what he has to say, I’d smash that glass on his head.

“And that is?” Cesare snaps impatiently.

“We want to get rid of my father,” he replies before taking a sip and moving over to the armchair across from me. “Permanently.”

That’s not at all what I was expecting to hear. Maybe a request for a couple billion dollars or access to our ports on the East but certainly not his wish to get rid of Caishen.

“Why should we trust you?” Dominic bites out.

“Because my father took something very important away from me. And I do not wish to marry your wife. No offense.”

What could his sperm donor have taken to make him want to betray his own blood? Couldn’t be as simple as an Xbox.

Then it hits me.

“You got a woman?”

“I had one,” he says without taking his eyes off the glass.

I wrap my lips over my teeth, trying not to lose my cool. But if this asshole doesn’t get to the point, I’m going to kill him.

“He kill her?” I ask.

“Some would say worse.” He finally looks up at me.

Fuck. I lock eyes with the other men before turning back to the man in front of me.

“And where the hell were you when your father took my daughter? What have you been doing this whole time?” Cesare barks.

“I’ve been attending the meetings and events my father cannot make while he takes care of the situation.” He pauses. “I have a part to play. If he even suspects what I’m planning to do, he won’t hesitate to kill me.”

“You’re his only heir.”

“That wouldn’t be enough to stop him.”

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