Page 46 of Love & Power

“Huh.” Von huffed, and I could see the wheels turning in her brain.

“When we get the chance, I’ll introduce you to them, but if you want someone’s brain to pick, that would be Jace,” I offered. “He’s been doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to researching this lifestyle.”

Von flashed me a toothy smile. “Thanks.” Then she turned to Ivy. “So does this mean you might consider something similar between you, Dom, and Ced? Unless you’re still playing the I-don’t-have-feelings-for-them game.”

Ivy flicked her hair over her shoulder, the only sign she was irritated with Von’s question. “Why would I go back to them? It’s not a relationship when one of them believes he owns you.”

“Ha,” Von scoffed. “If anyone owns anyone, it’s you who owns their asses. Dom is willing to do whatever it takes for you to forgive him, and Ced worships the ground you walk on. Besides, it’s been eight years they’ve been protecting your ass when they could have dragged you back. It’s time to take off the jaded shades you’re wearing and see things for how they really are.”

I’m pretty sure Ivy was regretting her choice to have female friends but was saved as the waitstaff brought in the first course and took our drink orders. We ate our soup and waited for the drinks before we started our conversation again. You can never be too careful, and assuming that someone is always listening keeps you alive longer.

Thankfully, they didn’t keep us waiting long for our drinks. I took a good swig of my gin and tonic, feeling refreshed at the crisp flavor of the elderberry tonic and floral gin. Feeling the need to save my friend, I directed the conversation away from Ivy’s love life.

“You mentioned a second reason for wanting us to meet,” I reminded her.

I caught the fleeting expression of thanks as Ivy took the offered segway. “Yes, I did… a more practical and lucrative benefit for you both.”

“Well, you have my attention,” Von said before popping the last bit of her dipping bread in her mouth. That woman’s bowl was wiped clean, not a trace of the soup left.

“Von, I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors of the Leoni Family going after Astin and her late father, Colmazio Caprioni?” Ivy inquired.

“I have,” Von answered before focusing on me. “I’m sorry you lost your father like that. It must have been awful to have him die in your arms.”

Part of me knew I shouldn’t be surprised to hear she knew details that weren’t common knowledge, especially since she and Ivy were friends. Yet it still caught me off guard when people brought up such intimate, heartbreaking moments for me.

“It was devastating,” I whispered, stirring my drink with the tiny black straw they placed in it. “The only things keeping me sane are my guys and plotting revenge.” My gaze flicked up to meet Von’s. “I came to Nepreea for one reason… to destroy the two families that have stolen my parents from me and make it known that anyone who dares to go up against me will burn in hell.”

Von sucked in a breath, her eyes dilating like I’d just done something to turn her on. “Oh, fuck me. I love it when people talk dirty like that. There is nothing sexier than a person driven by revenge and spite.”

“Thank you…” I ventured, not really sure what to make of that. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I feel like I should state for the record that while I find women attractive as hell, I don’t swing that way.”

“Funny, I remember telling you the same thing when we met,” Ivy commented.

We all laughed because who in their right mind would ever turn Ivy down if she offered? I had never met a woman with more sex appeal and confidence oozing off her. It was seductive no matter who you are or what you’re into.

“Ladies, we are well off-topic,” I pointed out. “I’m fairly certain Ivy wanted us to get together and hit it off so you would consider it when I asked you to join my side in this fight.”

Von sat back and began spinning the meditation ring on her thumb. As if the waitstaff knew this was the best time to bring the next course—it was a juicy hunk of steak with seared tomatoes and what smelled like thyme. Off to the side was a dollop of whipped potatoes that had my mouth watering at the sight of the melted butter drizzling over it.

“This is what I’m talking about,” Von exclaimed, digging in the moment the waiter’s hand left the plate. “There is nothing better in this world than a well-cooked steak.”

Observing how excited Von was about her meal, I decided to let her eat in peace without pressing for an answer.

“Tell me, Ivy, what’s your plan?” I inquired, cutting up my meat. “I know you told me you want your pound of flesh, but it’s risky for you to be in Nepreea.”

“It’s only risky if I get caught,” she countered. “Astin, you’re not going to get far without me and Von helping you with this fight. I don’t mean to be harsh, but the power these two families have runs deep. They’ve been running things for generations, and as brilliant as you are, there’s just no way to discover who they have in their pockets in the time you have to pull this off.”

Frowning, I set down my silverware, needing to focus all my attention on what Ivy was saying. “What timeline are you talking about? I haven’t even decided what direction to take this fight in.”

“The moment Domenico takes over the De Santis Family and announces they are your allies, the clock starts ticking,” Ivy explained. “There is only so much that power can give you when you’re on the losing side of sheer numbers. Right now, they are happy to take their time and toy with you like a cat playing with a mouse. However, if that mouse bites them, playtime is over, and the hunt is on for real.”

While I’m sure I’d realized that myself, hearing her break it down moved that concern up my list of things to worry about. Since landing in Nepreea, I’d been hit left and right with issues I needed to deal with or adjust to, causing me to lose track of important realities. Dom said he wanted a week to get things in order, which meant I now had five days before we pissed off the hornet’s nest.

“You’re right. I don’t have much time if Dom plans to stick to his schedule,” I agreed. “Seems to me that he and I need to have a detailed chat about what his plans are to step into his new role.”

“Time out,” Von cut in. “You, Astin Caprioni-Raffa, have an agreement to become allies with the pompous brat, Domenico De Santis?”

I smirked at Von’s description of the man because it fit him so perfectly. “As a matter of fact, I do. Ivy helped to set up a meeting while he was in Springmont for a major fundraiser his newly acquired company was putting on.”