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Uncle Lucian and Santiago unleashed their true natures on us and cut all ties from our businesses, selling the shares in our company and doing other bullshit that cost us several billions of dollars, but apparently, as long as we suffer, they don’t give two shits.
Also, the rumors about our fallout grew among the wealthy, and everyone started picking sides, promising their loyalties if shit hits the fan, while the media speculated why the two dynasties that stayed thicker than thieves suddenly became enemies.
Although once Maxwell and Jimena announced their engagement two months ago, everyone assumed we couldn’t forgive them for the betrayal, and our business world divided into even more sides.
Factor in Remi and Octavius, who couldn’t stay neutral, and we had one of the biggest corporate wars of the century. Indeed, there is no greater enemy than your ex-best friend.
The only person who stayed neutral in all this is Grandpa Atlas.
“This entire conflict is stupid, and I can’t believe both of you act so immature. You’re over sixty, for fuck’s sake!” He frowns at Dad, who pays him zero attention. He flips his newspaper while Mom sends Grandpa a warning glance, which he ignores. I expected the mothers to stay out of the conflict as they usually do, but surprisingly, they supported their husbands this time around. Plus, Mom is still mad at Uncle Lucian for daring to raise a hand on me, and I find it so funny and adorable even though the situation is fucked up. They act like I’m a child or something. “In a few months, my great-grandbaby will be here. Jimena better have the surname Price by then, or I’m going to whoop everyone’s asses, Lucian’s included.”
Kian grabs his toast, spreading a generous amount of jam on it, and grins at Grandpa. “If she marries Maxwell as she plans, she’ll be a Price. So it seems the ass whooping is off the table.” I throw an orange at him, and he discreetly flips me off so Mom won’t see. “Besides, Nonno called. He said that if you need him to take care of our cousin, he’ll do it.” He does a cutting-throat motion sign and winks at me. “Shut him up for good, so to speak. He thinks that’s the easiest way to remove the obstacle.” He munches on his toast. “I agree. Sometimes, the best solution is the most bloody one.”
“Oh God,” Mom mutters under her breath while Kian and I share a grin. She might have escaped the life, but she can never run away from her family’s true nature, and while Nonno doesn’t kill anyone innocent…Maxwell, in his book, is a piece of shit who stole my bride.
This is how my adoptive grandfather shows me his love, although the last thing I need is to involve the mafia in this conflict. We’d start another war since Uncle Lucian is friends with the New York don.
“Tell your grandfather to stay away from my family’s business.” We all roll our eyes at Grandpa Atlas because he’s still salty that Nonno gained an extra grandchild in this marriage while all he got was a headache and a mafia princess in disguise as his daughter-in-law. “Fix this!”
Five minutes later, he leaves to go to the Cortez house and give a similar speech there that of course falls on deaf ears.
“Oh, is that so?” Remi’s voice pulls me back to the present, and my brow furrows as I try to remember the conversation we are having. He sits to my side, occupying the chair opposite Octavius. “You think we don’t know about your secret meetings with Jimena? I bet you have fun there while we”—he motions between himself and Octavius—“have to deal with all the mess.”
A smile curves my mouth, thinking about my woman doing her best to avoid me these past two months, but I made it my life’s mission to insert myself in her entire existence.
Now that our families know I give zero fucks to stay discreet, I have come closer than ever in catching the fucker hunting us so all the variables working against me vanish.
I stalked her every move, followed her to doctor’s appointments despite her loud protests, and paid generous amounts of money for people to keep their mouths shut so it wouldn’t get to the press.
My throat still tightens, thinking about listening to my baby’s heartbeat for the first time and how the baby hid from view, not allowing the doctor to see the sex. We all knew it was a boy, though, but for whatever reason, Jimena needed confirmation.
And of course I always found a chance to lock her up somewhere and enjoy her sensual body all over again. She complained and tried to state otherwise but still went up in flames in my arms.
All the while throwing away her engagement ring to a point she stopped wearing it altogether, and that was my goal all along. I also marred her skin with endless hickeys in all the visible places so Maxwell knew one simple truth that no public engagement could change.
My woman is mine and whoever thinks otherwise is a delusional idiot.
“They take after her namesake,” Octavius speaks up, chuckling. “Cheating on Maxwell and living their forbidden romance while causing war in the process.”
“Cheating would require Jimena to be his, and she’s not.” My possessive reply is met with their harsh stares. “Their engagement is a farce.”
“It’s public, though, and the wedding is in three days. So please tell me you have some kind of plan to stop it beforehand? I’m drawing the line once they get married, Florian.” Remi scowls as our eyes meet. “Once she’s his wife, don’t expect my support.”
“Mine as well. You allow her to get married to him, this is over,” Octavius adds, not that I’m surprised.
If we all agree on one thing, it is respecting marriage vows, and none of us ever went after anyone’s wife.
However, in this case, though, I know they mean something else.
If I let her go through with the wedding, then I don’t deserve her in the first place.
“You shouldn’t worry. Did you really think I’d ever allow it?” Their silence is louder than any insult could be. “Wow. Thanks.” I frown at Octavius. “I expected better from you.”
He shrugs, finishing his drink and placing the glass on the table with a loud rattling sound. “I expected better from you too. Two months, Florian. What the hell are you waiting for, exactly? Uncle Lucian’s and Santiago’s forgiveness? You won’t have it anytime soon. Your behavior so far didn’t warrant their approval either.”
“Yeah. They aren’t stupid, so they know you’re the one who's leaving all those hickeys.” Remi points a finger at me. “For your information, I don’t approve. I prefer to think little Jimena is not having sex, so keep it that way.”
“Don’t tell me how to act when it comes to my woman.” My voice leaves no room for argument, and I take a greedy gulp from my drink, welcoming the burning sensation spreading through me. “Maxwell is blackmailing her.” They both tense and lean forward, resting their elbows on their knees. “Somehow he got footage of us from our dungeons and threatened to expose us unless she goes through with the marriage.”
