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“What does Cesare have to do with all of this?” Ezra asks.
That’s right. I saw him there with them too. Vance gives a smug smile, as if he’s been waiting for us to ask.
Of course.
“That was harder to unearth,” he begins. “I had to dig through a fuckton of Italian newspapers and government documents, but I was able to find a connection.” Vance is clicking through something on his computer. “Cesare got his mother’s last name and he has no father listed on his birth certificate, but she worked briefly as a housekeeper for the Strinatis in Italy.”
“What are you saying? He’s a bastard?” I ask.
Vance nods. “It’s looking like it. It’s the only place their paths intersect, from what I can see.”
I let out a heavy sigh.
This is bad. Way worse than what I originally thought. Somehow, I didn’t think Keller was capable of pulling something likethisoff—he’s always been a thick-headed dumbass. But, this? This is an actual threat.
“So they’re forming some kind of sect within the House, huh?” I ask, but I already know the answer. That’s the only reason why Keller would want Vico here—to act as his powerbroker, and probably get into the Beneventi’s good graces by appeasing his new wife’s family. By bringing someone in with the kind of connections Vico has through the Beneventis, he’s suddenly got enough resources to mount a successful challenge.
That’s the thing with our world.
We only respect power.
And right now, it looks like Keller and I are on more equal footing than I thought.
“Yes,” Vance nods grimly. “The Beneventis are influential, the Strinatis too.” He lowers his eyes. “You’re gonna have to doa lotof legwork. This election won’t be an easy win. They’re trying to get Keller and Cesare selected.”
“I’ve come too far to let it slip through my hands.”
Ezra pushes his laptop away, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms across his chest. He levels me with a glare. “Well, you need to start acting like you want to win this fucking thing.”
I narrow my eyes. “What’s your problem, Ezra?”
“All I’m saying is, you have to start looking and acting like a leader again.” He doesn’t match my tone, instead his voice is cold and methodical, unfeeling. This is little more than a business discussion to him. “We’ve been doing our best to keep this together, but you’re going to have to start talking to them. Reminding them why they chose you for the last two years, and why they need to again.”
“Ezra’s right, man,” Vance adds. “Between Keller and Cesare, I’m sure they’re shelling out favors and promises left, right and center.”
“I can do the same,” I say with a shrug. “Let’s make it fucking happen then. I need you two to be my eyes and ears in the House.” I glance back at the files on my phone. “Obviously, I missed a few things.”
They nod.
“We’ve got your back, of course. We just need to come up with a plan of action,” Vance says.
Does my father know the Beneventis and Kellers are allied now? It’s a shitty situation all around, as having two of our most powerful enemies joining forces is the last thing we need right now.
Early on, the Empire Syndicate cannibalized any allies we had. All of the families that became part of our syndicate did it because they were indebted to us. My father never believed in keeping friends—every person he encountered was just a means to an end. It worked for a time, but things have changed in the past decade.
With money easier to make, keeping them in debt to us became harder. Graham had started to make a difference—his eye for deals and trustworthiness helped to quell the division within the syndicate. It was unprecedented for a Duke to make somewhat fair deals and offer actual support, and his approach renewed the strength of the Empire.
Now that he’s gone, things have fallen into disarray again.
I’ll have to fill his shoes.
What I wouldn’t give to have him here to help me figure this out.
I’m contemplating if this constitutes an emergency—enough of a reason for me to call Graham to ask for his advice—when my phone starts to ring. It’s an otherworldly moment, and for half a second I expect to see an unlisted number calling me.
Instead, what I see makes my heart skip a beat.
She’s unblocked me.
