I think it has to do with Lucas' daughter not having a choice in this because I’m sure my friend won’t ask for his daughter's permission.
Fucking hell, I’m not sure I know what to think about that.
I arranged the rest of her life and I didn't even ask her name. In another world, in another version of this, that wouldn't bother me. In this business, people get arranged all the time. Daughters traded for alliances. Heirs wed to secure territory. It's the architecture of power, and I've built inside it my whole life.
But it still bothers me.
I file the feeling away. There's no room for it now.
Once Leo's married and settled, I'll be free. Free to find Aurora — the woman I've been circling back to in my head for a month. Free to track her down wherever she's gone and make herunderstand that a few days wasn't a beginning and an ending. It was just a beginning.
I'm keeping her. That is the plan now.
"Axel?" Luca's watching me. "You alright? You look distracted."
"I'm fine." I force my attention back. "Just thinking about next steps."
"Well, first step is telling my daughter." He doesn't look happy about it. "She's at the countryside estate. I'll have her brought back for the engagement party. You and Leo can meet her then."
"Sounds good," I say.
We talk details for another hour. Contracts. Timeline. The optics of announcing an alliance between the Santego and Luca families.
By the time I leave, it's dark. Viktor's waiting by the car, Sergei and Alexei passing a cigarette between them.
"How'd it go?" Viktor asks as we drive away.
"It's done. Leo's getting married."
"To Luca's daughter?"
"Yeah."
"Does Leo know?"
"He will." I stare out the window at the passing lights. "Whether he likes it or not doesn't matter. This is happening."
Viktor nods like this makes perfect sense.
I lean back, close my eyes, and try not to imagine how I’ll devour Aurora once I find her.
8
AURORA
"You're going home."
I look up from my book. Marco's standing in the doorway of the guest house, expression unreadable.
"What?"
"Your father wants you back at the main estate. There's a... situation."
"Wh…what kind of situation?"
"The kind where you get dressed in something nice and don't ask questions." His voice softens slightly. "I'm sorry, Aurora. Orders."
No.
