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“I’ve heard rumors. But Jules wasn’t interested in investigating further.”
“They had Twilight on the block. Nazaire was the top bidder.” I grimaced, remembering. “If I hadn’t been there…”
“Jules would’ve said she wasn’t a fitting mate for you.”
My jaw hardened. “Jules isn’t primus anymore.”
Prosper inclined his head. “No, he isn’t. And just so you know, I think he would’ve been wrong.” He glanced at the door. “Donald’s waiting in the hall.”
“Let him in then.”
Prosper opened the door and beckoned Donald inside. I explained what I had in mind for him, and the tall, lanky vampire seemed quietly pleased at his new assignment.
“Gather all the intel you can, especially on Fleur and Lemaire,” I told him, “then contact me. I want to be there when you move in. I’m going to stake those sonuvabitches myself. And Twilight wants to be part of it, too.”
“What about Régis?” Donald asked.
“If he gives you any trouble, refer him to me.”
Strictly speaking, Régis didn’t answer to me, but we were twice the QC Syndicate’s size. It was past time we flexed our muscle.
“Very good, my lord,” said Donald.
“In fact,” I added, “tell him I said the auctions are to end as of now, and that the blood slaves his syndicate has been holding are to be returned to their homes with a suitable bonus—and treatment for blood addiction, if necessary. If Régis objects, give him this message: The woman I bought at his auction was an undercover slayer, and if I find out he had anything to do with the plot to slay me, I’ll come after him with everything I’ve got.”
I hadn’t forgotten that Twilight had been offered up at an auction on the one night I’d been in attendance—at Régis’ invitation.
Donald gave a thin-lipped smile. “I’ll leave for Quebec tomorrow night.”
We went over a few details, then he left. Instead of following him, Prosper lingered.
“That’s an intelligent use of Donald’s skills. Jules underestimated you.”
“So did you.”
“I let him influence me,” my father’s former lieutenant admitted. “He convinced me it was better for the syndicate to keep you in your place and him in power. After he went to his final grave, I believed I was the best man to succeed him. I told you the challenge was a test, but what I didn’t tell you was that Jules begged me to challenge you. In fact, he made me swear an oath that I would.”
I’d thought I’d outgrown my hunger for my father’s approval. That with him in his final grave, he couldn’t hurt me anymore. I’d been wrong.
“I see,” I said flatly.
Prosper met my eyes. “Your father was wrong about you—and not because you bested me in the challenge. Because everything you’ve done in the past year—including how you handled yourself these past few days—shows you have both the guts and the control to lead the syndicate into the next phase.”
He meant it; Prosper didn’t suck up to anyone, even my father. He was the ultimate syndicate man—everything he did was for the good of the syndicate—which made his approval all the sweeter.
“You and Father never gave me enough credit.”
“No,” said Prosper. “That’s not true.”
I lifted a brow. “No?”
“Jules was always a little afraid of you. That you’d best him someday.” A corner of his mouth quirked in an odd little smile. “I suppose you did, in a way.” With a crisp nod, he headed for the door, pausing with his hand on the doorknob. “As for your mate, I have a feeling she’s going to surprise us all.”
The door closed behind him.
I rubbed my hands over my face. What the fuck had just happened?
Apparently, I’d earned Prosper’s respect, at least. That was something, anyway.
