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Montague himself has only come to check on me once. He has other people coming in to make sure I’m still alive, but that’s about it.
I have a lot of time alone. During that time, I think about how I’ll get away. And I put the pieces of the puzzle together.
His bid for reelection means he needs to win the majority vote. It was his plan from the beginning to use our family as a scapegoat for his troubles. He’s been working against us now for months, and likely has aimed for rival mafia to be pitted against one another when it comes to a place of power.
And now he’s after us again. The entire time, he’s been working with dirty cops and rival mafia. From the very beginning, he wanted to dominate this city. Framing my family as the ones responsible for crime in the city. He’s wanted nothing but political gain. And now, he’s going to use me.
He’ll have to kill me before I’d agree to hurt either Cosette or my family, but he’s threatened to do it himself if I don’t.
Jesus.
Dusk has fallen outside the window. Last night and the night before, it was when the Capitol closed for the day that Montague decided to pay me a visit.
I’ve been here long enough. If something doesn’t shift, I’m going to have to pretend to cooperate with him so I can get out of here and make sure he doesn’t hurt Cosette.
I have to protect her.
I can’t believe I thought she was the one who worked with him. I can’t believe I ever thought she’d have my baby and act like a friend, only to go behind our backs. Once,one time,she betrayed us while under duress, but I know that isn’t who she is or the way she typically functions. I know better now. So much better.
The elevator bell dings. I hear Montague’s oily voice before I see him.
“Evening, Mr. Gerard.” I despise how he insists on talking to me as if we’re business partners, and he isn’t the lowest scumbag in Europe.
Why did it take me being abducted into this asshole’s custody to see the truth?
All this time, I’ve told myself Cosette is the one who runs when she gets close to people. Who was the one who booked a fucking apartment and exiled her? Me, that’s who fucking did.
“Have we come to a decision, Mr. Gerard?” Montague asks. “It’s safe to say at this point, no one is coming to save you. Your precious family, who haven’t even bothered to come looking for you—”
The blare of an intercom interrupts. “Mr. Montague. You need to evacuate the premises immediately. I repeat, you need to evacuate, sir.”
Montague stares at me with wide eyes, terror written on his face. The fucking coward.
I knew they’d come. My brothers are here, I know it.
“You were saying?” I ask him.
Montague’s face goes beet red. They’ve used a taser, a shock collar, and a fucking electric chair, but have tied my wrists so he can use his torture device of choice –
a goddamn electric prod. He grabs the electric prod off a table and hits the button.
I grit my teeth.
He will hurt for this.
Only the weak hurt the vulnerable.
I look out the window and there isn’t a single disturbance to be seen there. They’re being discreet. Pride swells in my chest. My brothers have come, and they will take him down right here, and no one will be the wiser.
We stare at each other as pain vibrates through my body, my nerves on fire. I grit my teeth and ride it.
When the spasms subside, I hold his gaze.
“Way to treat your future son-in-law,” I say in a low voice.
I watch with delight as his face goes from red to purple.
“You know she’s having my baby. That’s your grandchild. It will be such a shame when the press realizes that your daughter married one of the very people you told everyone you were gettingridof, won’t it? Go ahead, Montague. Hit the fucking remote. Only a coward would hurt someone incapable of defending themselves. You’re despicable, you know that? We know who you really serve. Pretending to have the interest of the people of France in mind, are you? I’m a goddamn criminal and yet even I am more loyal to my people than you are.”
