Page 35 of Lethal King

“Do tell.”

“Talk to your uncle about it. He knows more than I do. And I shouldn’t get too involved. Not yet. Not with the feds watching. But this plan of yours might just work.”

“I’ll make it work,” I assure him, knowing fully that I don’t actually plan on it.

I’ve just thought this shit up as a way to ease my father’s mind. He has enough shit on his plate already. Because one way or another, I’m going after Rozalia Dorn.

I will capture her. And the threat of marriage will keep her and her brother in check while I secure my empire. It should also get the Italians working again.

By the time Dad finds out what’s really happening, I’ll have everything under control, and he won’t have to worry about a thing.

In the end, I’ll choose to marry whoever the fuck I want to marry. But that’s a long ways away.

For now, my vow of celibacy will remain in place. This time, though, it won’t be until I can stand to choose a wife.

It will be until I’ve captured my personal plaything.

“Shit. This is why I was so confident you’d make a good king, Rian. Always thinking. I’m proud of you.”

The sincerity in Dad’s voice almost makes me feel guilty. But I quickly pry out that weakness.

I know what needs to be done. There’s no room for sentimentality.

“Save your pride for when I’ve wiped our enemies from the face of this earth.”

“… Or married them,” he laughs.

“It will be a hell of a wedding.”

But I don’t picture wedding bells or white dresses or sweet vows in my future. All I can see is Rozalia Dorn kneeling at my feet. Naked. Begging for mercy.

She won’t find any.

“Good luck, my boy,” Dad says, and I hear someone calling for him behind the static.

“Same to you.”

“Try to keep me updated.”

“I will.”

“Long live the Kilpatrick empire.”

“Long live the Kilpatrick family.”

With that, our call ends.

I immediately screenshot the IP address on my screen. Then, I call up Maksim.

“Is everyone still outside?” I ask.

“Yep.”

“Good. Because I have an announcement to make.”

4

Rozalia