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She says that like it’s something to be proud of. Like it’s proof that every shitty thing she did to reach this point was worth it.
What she doesn’t get is that the men who stand behind me would jump at the chance to do anything for me, and more than that—they treat me as an equal.
And I didn’t have to kill anyone or stab anyone in the back to get here. I didn’t have to ruin lives.
“I want you by my side, Grace,” she says, and for the first time since our meeting began, the softness that steals over her features for a brief moment doesn’t look fake. “I want you with me. That’s why I sent those men to Washington. That’s why I worked with Brian to get you back. Not to have him kill you. But to bring you to me so I could show you what is possible.”
“No.”
That’s all I have for her. Just one fucking word.
“No?” She seems almost shocked. Did she really think she won me over by telling me how she betrayed my dad? How she forced me and him to run, making us go into hiding on the other side of the country?
“No,” I repeat, more firmly this time. “I will never join you.”
I might as well have slapped her across the face, hard.
Even if I was still treated like a prisoner under the care of Hale, even if they still tied me up every night and watched me, distrusted me, hated me, I know the truth now. Everything is crystalizing in my head, all the things my mother has told me finally forming a complete picture, filling in the blank spots and the things I could never understand.
Camilla is responsible for all of this. Every lie that I’ve ever been made to believe, it’s been because of her. Every moment since the day Dad came home and told me she died in a car wreck, she’s been plotting and planning behind the scenes, making moves to eventually take over Chicago.
My father’s death.
My capture.
Even as far back as Dad and me having to flee, having to leave everything behind.
I grit my teeth. “I want no part in whatever you’re doing. So if that’s what you called this meeting to ask me, then we’re done here.”
Her face hardens. “You’re making a mistake, Grace. I’ve spent years building up my power in this city, and I will not be stopped. I’m taking down the Novak syndicate. And if you choose to stand with them… I’ll take you down too.”
12
Zaid
The location Camilla chose is to everyone’s advantage, but I still don’t like it. I don’t like that I can see everything going on between Grace and her mother, but I can’t hear what they’re talking about.
Which means I don’t know what the older woman just said to Grace that made her flinch. I can’t hear what Grace responded with that made Camilla’s mouth tighten in barely contained rage.
But what’s worse than that? Worse than not being able to hear everything?
Not being able to protect her. Not being able to put my body between her and danger.
I’m too far away from her to lunge in front of her and protect her if Camilla pulls something. I’m too far away to even anticipate it coming. By the time any of us got there, it would be too late.
Camilla knows it would be absolutely stupid to try anything, but at this point, I wouldn’t put anything past this fucking woman. Even stupidity.
It would be a bloodbath on both sides if anyone fired a shot—both the Rooks and the Novaks are armed to the teeth, even if a lot of us don’t look like it at first glance.
I don’t even try to roll my shoulders or ease the tension in my body. I can’t relax, not in this fucking place, not when every damn atom of my body is aware of everything around me.
Camilla.
Grace.
The way Hale’s breath quickens, then returns to a normal pace.
This is taking too fucking long, I think, my gaze trained on Grace. She’s been out there too long.
