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“All I’m saying is that you need to treat him with as much suspicion as you treat everyone else in your life. Just because he talks a big game doesn’t mean he won’t fuck you over when the time is right.”
I nod. I know this, but the fact is that as things stand I need the support of at least one of the Imperators to hold on to my crown until I can solidify my power. And I’d much rather work with Constantine than be squashed under Nero’s fat thumb. Plus, my body hurts in the most delicious ways from the training. I can use a few killing moves, and so can my tribunes. Gabriel doesn’t even know which end of a knife is the stabby bit.
Eli looks like he wants to say more, but there’s no time. It’s nearing midnight – the witching hour, where the dark and twisted malfeasants of Emerald Beach come out to play. And I’m the Queen. I’m here to watch them dance.
We descend toward the arena, which is lit by two floodlights. From here, we can see in all directions across the Colosseum. The chairs have been cleared away and Tiberius and Antony patrol the grounds, making sure no one’s hiding out there trying to listen to our conversation. Even so, I feel naked as I step under the harsh lights.
Up close, I can see scratches in the concrete walls where condemned men have tried to claw their way to freedom, the sand stained pink from spilled blood. My feet touch wood, and I realize I’m standing over the trapdoor where the lion emerges. I quickly step aside.
Five faces stare back at me, sizing up the pint-size teenager who’s upended their entire existence. I swallow. Am I supposed to give a speech? I think back to my father’s dealings with his captains. These are the people who run the organization and see his orders are carried out – the most loyal soldiers. He once had at least a hundred captains in Emerald Beach alone, but these five sitting here are the only ones to survive Brutus’ purge.
I glance at Noah, who stands behind the men. The fire in his eyes says that he has my back. He touches his finger to the gun on his belt and nods. Eli remains by my side, his hand resting on the butt of his own weapon. If this ends in a hail of bullets, so be it.
I won’t let it.
More important than my oath to the Triumvirate is my oath to protect my family. I stand up and sweep my blonde hair over my shoulder. I can’t think of pretty words that won’t be swallowed by their intimidating silence, so I get straight to the point.
“Here are some things I know,” I tick them off on my fingers. “I know the ways of Julian August, because he taught me everything about running our empire the right way. I have my father’s notes, which means I know everything about each of you – I know the names of your family, where you went to school, how many times a day you take a shit. I know it all. I also know you’re loyal to my father, and that you’ve endured a world of shit these past four years working under the usurper. I know you’re looking at me and thinking, ‘who the fuck is she to come in and tell us how to run a criminal empire?’ It’s a fair question, so I think we should begin here. I want you to know me as well as I know you, because there needs to be trust between us.”
I take a deep breath.
“I’ve been in hiding ever since the usurper took power. I’ve been right under his nose, in the guise of a spoiled Harrington Hills princess. I’m the slayer of Brutus. I’m the one who enacted my father’s just punishment when no one else was brave enough to do it. For four years that man lorded it over this family like he had every right. Tell me, why did it take a seventeen-year-old girl to do what you couldn’t?”
I glare at them with my classic Mackenzie Malloy bitch face, the one that will freeze magma and solve global warming. Impersonating a Valley Girl for four years taught me a few tricks.
The only woman among them opens her mouth to protest, but whatever she has to say withers under the intensity of my stare. I wait for a few moments, then relax my shoulders. I smile, but it’s a smile that promises death if I have to take justice into my own hands again.
“In this circle, we have no secrets, and we carry no grudges. Whatever sins you have done in the name of Brutus are forgiven. I’m wiping the slate clean, and that goes for your soldiers, too. But you must not forget that you serve me now.”
I nod to the man on my right – he’s young, with high cheekbones and a jaw that looks like it’s been broken several times already. “You. Tell me what you do.”
“I’m Po, Imperator. I’m—”
I wave a hand. “Call me Claudia. In this circle, we’re equals.”
Po nods, but he shifts uncomfortably as he says my name. Clearly, Brutus had a different leadership style. “C-C-Claudia, I run operations at the docks, overseeing incoming and outgoing shipments.”
I nod to the woman. She tilts her head. “I’m Selene. I’ve infiltrated city hall. If you need to bribe an official or obtain documentation, I’m who you call.”
“I’m Hael, I oversee logistics.”
“Eduardo. Liaison for the Asian markets.”
“I’m David, the accountant. I’m in charge of the books.”
“Good. You’ll be working closely with Noah, one of my tribunes.” I squint at David’s smooth skin. “You seem young to have been a captain under my father.”
“I’ve only been a captain for five months.” He hangs his head. “My father held the position under Julian.”
“What happened to him?”
“Brutus fed him to Nero’s lion.”
I stare around the circle. This was how Brutus held onto power – on the edge of a knife.
“Who was his enforcer?” I watch Antony’s face as he leans over the gangway, terrified of what the answer might be.
“He used Cali.”
