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“That’s bullshit!” he spat, bounding out of his seat and pacing the length of space between the set of armchairs on either side of the coffee table. “Ivan started it. He came up to me. He pushed me.”
“None of that matters anymore,” Father cut him off. “We can’t focus on the past. We need to find a solution and deal with this matter now quickly and quietly without your mother or Lavena hearing about it.”
Edmund dropped down into his seat and covered his face. “This is all my fault.”
“That doesn’t matter anymore either,” Father stated with zero sympathy. “We need to get ahead of Volkov, but more importantly, we need to know everything about him. That requires us to work all our channels. I want eyes and ears everywhere. I want to know when Uriah takes a shit. His habits are now our habits. We will make friends with his friends and his enemies. We need to fortify our walls, so he has no choice but to second guess all his decisions before making them. The only way we’re getting through this is by becoming an unstoppable force, so powerful that he would be an idiot to come at us.”
He paused to let that sink in.
“I have a few guys who work the docks where he gets his shipment. They know the night guards in Volkov’s pocket. I could probably turn them to our side with the right incentive.”
Father considered that for a moment. “That would hurt him in the short term, but taking his shipment would only infuriate him to attack sooner and harder. I like the idea, but let’s save it for last if we need it.” He turned his attention to me. “I think it’s time you found a partner, Darius. Someone in power. Someone who would have your back if things go south. Someone whose family name linked to yours will make anyone think twice.”
A cold, oily sensation filled my gut. “A partner?”
Father nodded. “Do you think I got to where I am on my own? I had your mother’s name, her family and their influence. We build kingdoms based on the partnerships we create. This is what you need now, and I have just the person — Abilene Beaumont.” He didn’t even pause to give me a chance to ask the proper questions, and I had so many before he charged on. “Her family has the wealth and power to surpass even ours. With her by your side, Volkov would never dream of coming near you.”
“Abilene?” I broke certain my father was mistaking her for someone else.
But he nodded. “I’ve already spoken to her, and she has agreed to meet with you over dinner to see if your futures can align. She’ll have questions, no doubt and stipulations. Your mother had a binder when we first met. She wouldn’t even consider a second date if I didn’t meet the requirements.”
“Abilene Beaumont?” I stressed again.
Irritation pursed my father’s lips, apparently misunderstanding my confusion. “Abilene is exactly the person we need on our side right now. Do you understand the importance of your union with her?”
I did understand the importance and I knew he meant well, but…
“Abilene is great—”
A soft scuffle had our head turning to the figure darkening the doorway.
My heart jumped and plummeted simultaneously as I stared in horror at Kami’s stricken expression, the one she quickly masked behind a bright, apologetic smile that I didn’t believe for a second.
“Supper is on the table,” she announced and immediately darted off without another word.
It took every ounce of my willpower not to bolt after her, to not grab her, drag her away from everyone and explain … what? I had no idea what my father was talking about or why, out of every living person in the world, Abilene Beaumont seemed to be the person he considered a perfect match for me, but his reasoning made no difference when that was how Kami had to hear about it.
“We’ll finish this tomorrow.” Father decided, pushing to his feet. “I was able to get you a lunch date with Abilene this weekend. I expect you to attend and do whatever is necessary to persuade her.”
He didn’t bother elaborating his statement before he was gone from the room, leaving me alone with a still and silent Edmund.
“Did you know anything about this?”
I faced my brother and the words faded on my lips as I took in the hard set of his jaw and the livid fury behind his eyes. They flicked up once to meet mine before darting off.
“I know nothing about anything,” he muttered before marching out into the hall, leaving me staring after him, bemused.
It took very little convincing to encourage my thoughts to reprioritize back to the more important matter on hand — Kami. I had no idea what I would say to her, but I knew something needed to be, even if it was to explain that I had no idea of my father’s plans.
The dining hall was filled with chatter when I joined the familiar faces. Everyone sat in their usual spots, leaving empty my usual spot next to Kami. Years earlier, my place had been at the far end of the table, next to my father. When Kam and I started our book talks, I’d been moved closer to her so we could talk without interrupting the others or being interrupted. I had never been so happy that tradition remained when I slid into the seat. No one seemed to notice or care when I leaned in.
“I didn’t know.”
Kami’s head turned to me and she gave me what I could only guess was a tired little smile. “I know.”
I didn’t know what else to say.
Actually, I had a lot to say, possibly too much, but I couldn’t with so many eyes and ears around us. The restraint picked away at me throughout most of the meal. I was only vaguely aware of my mom making plans to reattempt the party at a more accommodating location. Lavena, Sasha, and Kas seemed to be onboard with the idea, offering suggestions and encouraging a situation I would have rather cut my own arm off than attend.
