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My smile slips, and resentment starts to fester inside of me; he has me in a difficult position, and he knows it. To refuse him would almost guarantee that Theo and Carter are dead when we try to get them out of there. To agree would mean a further deal with an unknown monster. FUCK! I have no choice here; I need to rescue my missing kings.
“What is this addition, Mr. Cabano? I don’t appreciate being strong-armed,” cocking my head and grimacing to show him my displeasure.
“No, reina, not strong-arming, ensuring that both sides equally benefit from the agreement and that compliance is guaranteed.” He jerks his head, and one of his men on his left comes forward with a black leather portfolio, opening it in front of me and placing two sheets of paper on top of it. I take the documents and start to read through them. All standard contract information, basically what we discussed on the plane - that the Stratfords will assist with Diego’s purchasing of the power grid in Columbia for services rendered in saving Theo and Carter. Then my eyes narrow on a clause down at the bottom.
Agreement for completion of services rendered:
The use of force to extract one, Theodore Saint-Lambert, and one, Carter Pemberton, from their current captivity at the hands of Vincent Saint-Lambert and Mack Pemberton. The following clauses are required as payment by the Stratfords.
Financial, political, and business connections are to be used to ensure Diego Cabano and his subsidiary companies are able to purchase the remaining power grid in the country of Columbia within twelve months of the date of the contract.
Protection of aforementioned person(s) and subsidiary from political and business rivals by the Stratford name and connections for the period of no less than five years.
The arranged marriage of one Stratford princess to be determined within twelve months of this contract signing to Diego Cabano as payment for removing Vincent Saint-Lambert from breathing and rescuing, Theodore Saint-Lambert and Carter Pemberton.
“Are you fucking kidding me? You expect me to marry Diego in payment for rescuing Theo and Carter? What the fuck is this, Manuel?” Raising my furious eyes at Manuel Cabano. Rage pumps through my veins, my body feels hot all over, and the need to slap his smug face overwhelms me so much that I have to dig my nails into the palms of my hands.
“You fucking snake!” Tom hisses and moves forward ready to do damage to Manuel Cabano.
“WHAT!” Mateo moves forward and grabs Diego’s shirt, and pulls him forward in fury. Turning my gaze in their direction, I see Finn moving closer to Diego, his body trembling with anger. The men that came with Diego and Manuel all move forward and point their guns at Mateo and Finn.
“Relax, primo. There is no need to be so upset; I’m willing to share her. I will be her husband in name only. Well, maybe in name only; she is kinda hot.” Diego lets out a chuckle and disregards Mateo’s hands on his shirt and the fury on Finn and Mateo’s faces.
“I’ll fucking kill you, you smug piece of shit.” Finn seethes.
“You can try, little king, but where will that leave your friends? We have reliable information that your friend Theo is almost dead from the torture his dad and deplorable minions inflicted on him. Carter Pemberton, the reckless ass, has also been captured.”
A bomb goes off in my head at his words; images of Theo beaten and almost dead and Carter being captured and tortured flash through my brain. My breath stutters in my chest, my heart tightening painfully. Sweat trickles down my back, and I sway on my feet, the feeling of darkness wanting to take me at the images speeding through my mind.
“Mia!” Raegan’s voice echoes out before I feel her tight grasp around my back and waist, holding me up and making some of the horrendous images fade from my mind’s eye. Turning my head, I stare into her panicked face. Her eyes are so large that the whites almost overtake her pupils, and she has a flush across her cheekbones and down her neck. I try to take in breaths mixed with her calming scent. “Breathe, Mia, please, girl.” she whispers.
“I can’t lose them, Rae.” I bite my lip hard until the taste of blood fills my mouth to control the sob that wants to escape my lips. Even now, when my heart is breaking, I have to be the strong, unbending Stratford princess. I cannot show weakness to any of these men trying to manipulate me. Thoughts race through my mind. I can not lose them. I will not lose them.Is that your conscious, heart, or revenge talking, Mia? My mind whispers.
Turning back to Manuel Cabano, I recognize the determination in his gaze. He will do anything he can to ensure his son is powerful and that he achieves his end goals and if the consequences are the death of Theo and Carter, then so be it. He will let them die unless he gets what he wants.
“Your clause indicates that Vincent Saint-Lambert must be dead for that particular clause to be enforced. If you do not bring me Vincent Saint-Lambert’s physical head, I will consider that clause null and void. Do you understand me, Mr. Cabano?”
“Mia, no! Please don’t do this!” Tom angrily shouts, his whole body vibrating with fury.
“With pleasure, little reina.” He hands me a pen, daring me with a raised dark eyebrow.
“Mia, fuck no!” Mateo shouts from my side, hands still clenched around Diego’s shirt.
“Mia!” Finn lets out a gasp.
Taking the pen from Manuel’s hand, I clutch it tightly in my fingers, the desire to plunge it into one of his eyes strong. Shifting my head in Mateo’s and Finn’s direction, I try to implore them with my eyes to understand this is the only way we will get Theo and Carter back. I have no other choice here. Pressing the pen down on the paper, I sign my name on each of the sheets and hand it back to Manuel.
“It’s done, reina; my men and I will leave at once to meet with the rest of my mercenaries and head to rescue yourprecious kings. My son will remain with you to ensure your safety.“ He signs his name with a flourish underneath mine and then hands back the papers to his waiting man, who immediately walks away and gets into one of the vehicles.There is no turning back now, Mia.
“No, I will be present when they are rescued. They are mine; I mean to retrieve them from the devil who has taken them. You will not stop me.”
“It’s too dangerous, little queen.” Diego shrugs out of Mateo’s grasp and steps back. His face is a mask with no emotions. If he’s sorry that he just hurt his cousin, he doesn’t show it. This is all business to him. He wants power, and taking something from his own kin in order to get it is no sweat off his brow.
“From a safe distance then and when you have neutralized the threat, I will go in.” My glare turns in his direction, jaw clenched and lips pursed. I will not be swayed, he can take it or leave it, but one way or another, I will be going in to rescue my missing kings. His eyes examine my features intently, and then he nods.
“We will escort you back to your residence, little queen, I will have the rest of our men mobilized there, and we will be heading out within the hour to rescue your kings. You will stay safely by my side, where you belong from a distance, and only enter that despicable house once we deem the threat over.” He pivots around and starts walking towards one of the large vehicles, stopping at the opened door and waiting for me.
“Mia!” I hear the objection in Tom’s tone, but I raise my hand up to stop any more of his words.
