She holds my gaze, anger and betrayal blazing bright in her dark eyes.
Luna lets out a humorless laugh. “This is insane. Adriana, tell them this is insane.”
“Luna.” Adriana’s voice is quiet, but it cuts through the room. “Let him finish.”
“Let himfinish?” Luna gestures at me wildly. “He just said you have to marry one of his sons… and you don’t evenknowhim!”
“I’m aware.”
Even now, she doesn’t crack. Doesn’t raise her voice. Doesn’t give anyone an inch.
I’ve spent my whole life around people who wield power like a weapon. But Adriana DiMicheli wields control like armor, and I can’t stop watching her wear it.
Vincenzo shifts his weight, his eyes flickering back to Maria and Luna. “Eamon, is this really necessary? Tonight of all nights? Perhaps we could wait until Francesco wakes up. Then he can explain the terms himself. I think that would make everyone feel more comfortable.”
There it is. The voice of reason. The concerned advisor. But I know my father too well to know he doesn’t wait on a claim to power. He wants whatever was agreed upon in that contract, and Eamon Molloy always gets what he wants.
My father shakes his head. “Your point is valid, Vincenzo. But we don’t have the luxury of time. The people who did this aren’t going to wait while Francesco recovers. They will smell blood in the water and attack.Again.”He pauses. “And maybe this time they won’t miss.”
“Even so?—”
“The contract was designed for exactly this situation.” My father’s voice hardens the slightest bit. “Francesco knew the risks. He prepared for them. Honoring that preparation is the best way to protect his family now.”
Vincenzo hesitates, then nods slowly. “I guess… if this is what Francesco wanted… we have to at least consider it.”
Eamon’s performance is fucking Oscar-worthy. He plays the reluctant ally perfectly, concerned enough to seem trustworthy, compliant enough to smooth any protests.
Maria presses her hands together, trying to stop them from shaking. “Why now? Francesco isn’t dead. He’s going to recover.”
“Is he?” My father tilts his head, all false sympathy. “He took three bullets to the chest. One is still lodged near his spine. The doctor said, ‘if he recovers,’ not ‘when.’ And even if he does, how long until he’s able to lead? Months? A year?” He pauses, letting the cryptic words sink in. “Your family has a lot of enemies, Maria. Without this alliance in place, how long before they swoop in and take everything from you. Before they take both of your daughters, and not just one?”
I turn to my father. “This is bullshit. You can’t just?—”
“Lochlan.” His voice is even, but the warning underneath is clear. “I’d like a word. Outside.”
“No. Whatever you have to say, you can say to me right here.”
His jaw tenses. “Outside. Now.”
He gets up and stalks out of the cafeteria. He doesn’t look back to make sure I’m there. He just expects that I am.
My eyes drift back to Adriana. Her expression is unreadable.
Still.
Damn, I need a poker face like that.
I don’t want to leave her alone with my father’s words hanging in the air. But I also don’t want whatever’s coming next to happen in front of her.
So I grit my teeth and follow him out the door.
The hospital corridor is empty and too bright for this hour. Fluorescent lights buzz overhead, the smell of antiseptic cleaner burning the insides of my nose.
My father stops halfway down the hall and turns to face me. The mask of the concerned family friend-slash-ally is gone.What’s left is the man I grew up with, a prick who is cold, calculating, and heartless.
“You told me you wanted me at the gala because you knew something was going to happen,” I growl in a low voice.
“Yes.”
