Page 114 of Vicious Vows

“The city is thriving in a way it never has before. People are noticing and Elsa can’t stand knowing that it’s not because of her.” I exhale. “She’s trying to marry her granddaughter off to Gabriel Malevolent.”

“What in the fuck? Has she not heard the rumors about him?”

My chest is so tight that it’s hard to breathe. “I suspect she doesn’t care. She’s only looking at the manpower he brings.”

“God damn. We need to stop this before it gets out of hand.”

“Reach out to Jafar and set up a meeting. I need to speak to my brothers.”

“Will do.”

He ends the call and I dial Heimdall.

“Yes?”

“Gather our brothers. Elsa is making her move.”

“On it.”

I sit back, rubbing my temples. I knew Elsa had a motive when she stepped down. It was too sudden, but more importantly, it was too out of character for everything she stood for. The firstPrincipàle Donnastepping down for not one, not two, butthreemen. No, it raised red flags all over the place. But I was the only one who could seem to see those red flags.

My phone buzzes with a text from Kieran. Good. We’re meeting Jafar in an hour.

I almost turn from my office to find Anna before I leave but stop myself. I need to focus, and that means not being distracted by anyone or anything. Especially her.

An hour later, Kieran and I enter Jafar’s hotel. His new wife passes us carrying their son. She smiles, but I don’t miss the haunted look in her eyes. A look that one gains by taking a life. In this case, it was the life of her former best friend and Jafar’s ex-wife, Jasmine.

Jafar is slipping on a new suit jacket when we enter his office. He grins.

“Sorry. My son decided it would be quite comical to spit up all over my jacket as I kissed him goodbye.”

Kieran shakes Jafar’s hand before sitting. “Never thought I’d see the day that Malik Jafar was coddling a baby.”

“You’ll understand one day,” he says with a knowing smile. To me, he says, “Vilulf, I was surprised to hear of your concerns about Elsa.”

We shake hands and take our seats.

I say, “She’s making moves, and we’d be foolish to stand by and do nothing.”

Jafar rubs his bearded chin. “Part of me thinks we’re overreacting. She’s just an old woman who wants to spend time with her family.”

My fist clenches. Fucking Jafar. Never one to go with the flow.

He continues. “But then Ellie pointed out something that got me thinking. If Elsa is so content to step down, then why didn’t she leave the city? And why is she reaching out to mutual contacts, checking up on us?”

“It sounds like you have a smart wife, Jafar.”

He smiles. “I do. So, tell me. Has your wife shed any light on what her mother may be planning?”

“My wife is so far up her mother’s ass that she can’t tell if she’s coming or going. Her daughter, however, overheard something Elsa said on the phone. Something that I’ve found not only to be true, but important.”

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone, swiping open the photo gallery. I show both men the evidence I’ve collected.

“Elsa and maybe even Selma were planning on having me assassinated during my honeymoon. An urgent matter here brought me back unbeknownst to them, so they were unsuccessful. I believe Elsa has similar plans for the two of you.”

Jafar looks green. I can’t say that I blame him. The man has finally found happiness. He has a wife that he loves and a child he adores.

He says, “I need to let Razoul know.”

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