Then who would protect my siblings? Who would be the shield against everything dark?
Nico refills his glass, doing the same for me. Once he’s seated again, he asks, “And what do you need for this power?”
“I’m not sure,” I answer truthfully. “I know I need it. Ferguson won’t leave me the clan if he dies, and without power, I can’t take it on the eve of his death.”
My father isn’t in bad shape, but he’s older. And this world is not friendly.
Nico sighs, swirling his glass. “And as heir, you have no right?”
“Not in the clan. They care more about what’s between my legs than what’s between my ears.”
He rolls his eyes. “Ah. And what do you want from me?”
Shifting, I shrug. “A backing.”
The old man smirks, dark eyes shining. “Explain.”
“I want the clan,” I whisper. I don’t know why I do—Tony won’t talk. “And the only way I can get it is with a backing.Yourbacking.”
He nods, his smirk growing. “A coup. And what do I get out of this?”
That’s the thing no one realizes about Nico. He’s a good man—kind. But he’s intelligent and crafty. He only makes deals if they benefit him.
Luckily, I came prepared.
“Naming Alessio as your heir is one thing,” I say, reclining. “But you don’t want just an heir. You want a legacy.”
Nico chuckles. “Say it, Ace.”
“What about a marriage proposal?” The old man tilts his head. “Between my family and yours?”
He barks out a laugh, sharp in the silence. “As tempting as you are, and I would love to see you as my blood, I’m not signing my nephew over to you in marriage. The Reaper would gut him alive.”
Of course, he would know about the Reaper and me. Nico knows everything.
“Not me.” I laugh—Alessio might be handsome, but I would slice his neck for his arrogance on the wedding night. “But I do have two sisters. If I’m captain, I can decree one of them for marriage.”
“You’re pragmatic.” He rubs his jaw. “Why the sudden change?”
“I killed Michael,” I admit. “And I was supposed to marry him. If my father ever discovers I did it?—”
“You’re dead.” Nico sighs. “And if he tries, and I back you, it gives you protection.”
“I need it,” I plead. “I have nothing in that house, Nico. My father controls everything. And if he marries me off again, I’ll be trapped.” Panic claws up my throat, the idea I’ll be forced to submit to another man against my will, drowning me. “Men won’t follow me if he’s in charge and I’m acting like a disobedient daughter. But if I offer an alliance?” My eyes watch him. “Men will follow. But only with your help.”
Nico exhales through his nose, finishing his bourbon. “Alright. I accept.” He clucks his tongue. “I have a man. We’ll change the will. Should something happen…” he trails off. “At least you’ll be given the throne.”
My body deflates, a breath rushing past my lips. “Thank you.”
“And Lex will marry one of your sisters.” He makes a gesture as if signing a paper. “Everything will go into writing, yes? Of course, no one outside of us will see it. We’ll keep this very hush-hush.”
“Of course.” I did it. I fuckingdidit. The clan—my birthright—is going to be mine.
“So, to an alliance.”
Tipping my glass to him, “An alliance.” Between an Irish clan and an Italian family in Boston. It’s never been done before. It’s unimaginable.
Smiling down into his empty glass, the old man laughs to himself. “One hell of a birthday present, Ace.” At my shocked look, his smile turns soft. “I was going to get you jewelry, but you’re not the type.” I’m not—Nico knows that. Standing, he hobbles over to a shelf, grabbing a simple black box.
