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“There is no Raymond D’Artello.” It takes strength not to shout. “We all know he’s a lie.”
My jaw tightens as I try to make sense of the situation. He must know the history behind that name. Zakhar didn’t keep secrets from them. Or did he? No, this has to be a setup, but I’ll play along for now.
“Once upon a time, you would’ve been right,” Christian replies nonchalantly. “But he has become real in the years since my cousin’s death. The man who occupies his name now is Marco Ricci. A minor player, if you will. We needed someone to fill Aria’s place once she was gone.” Christian glances briefly at a stoic Zakhar. “Under her guidance, the operation had grown quite lucrative. We didn’t want to lose that momentum.”
I sit down again. I can also see the gears turning in Eden’s mind, her eyes flickering with emotion and uncertainty. This isn’t what we expected, but we have little choice.
“Ricci was chosen to pose as the imaginary D’Artello and change his identity,” Christian continues. “Unfortunately, his greed has cost us greatly.”
“Let me guess,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “He wants out, and now he’s a loose end that needs tying up.”
“Exactly,” Christian replies, unfazed by my tone. “He’s threatening to expose our operation in exchange for a buyout that would pay a king’s ransom. We can’t allow that to happen, and with you so willing to negotiate a truce … This is your chance to spill Lanzzare blood and prove to us that your words still have weight. Consider it a favor for the family—one that will be repaid in kind when the time comes.”
“You know this will only intensify the feud,” I reply. “Are you prepared for the consequences?”
Unshaken by my concerns, Christian fixes his unforgiving gaze on me. “I assure you, Nikolai, there will be no retaliation. This is not a trap. It’s merely an exchange. You’ll have everything you need to succeed.”
I glance at Eden, and her face is pale. She locks eyes with her cousin and speaks firmly, “Promise me, Christian. No more lies, no more games. I want this feud to end.”
“Eden, I give you my word,” he replies, his tone softer. “I would not hurt Aria’s daughter.”
“Good,” Eden replies. “Nikolai will do anything to get Mercy back.”
Christian smirks. “And what do you think, Nikolai?”
I chuckle. “A favor for a favor,” I say. “Isn’t that how it is done?”
Christian smirks, satisfied with my decision. “Good. You won’t regret it,cousin.”
The business meeting ends with the truce that I desired, if only temporarily, and Christian speaks with Eden in a friendly manner about her interest in art history. I zone out, and though I know I will do this for Eden, the guilt and fear that weigh on me are almost unbearable.
I’m stepping into the darkness, following in my brother’s footsteps, and chasing the same ghost that killed him.
But my mind keeps turning to Eden. Her eagerness to send me there still stings, and I feel an uncomfortable shift within myself as I realize that she’s using my love for our baby as leverage. I trust her implicitly, but there are moments when I’m not so sure what she feels.
Has Eden become another person manipulating me, using me for her own ends? Does she even realize she’s doing it?
Am I a fool for letting her?
“Of course,” Christian smiles at Eden. “Once our families are united, we’ll all live happily ever after.”
I nod, trying to believe him, but deep down, I can’t help but question everything. How much of what he says can I trust? And at what cost will this alliance cost me?
The joviality ends quickly when Zakhar hurries out of the room. His voice is audible as he speaks on the phone, and we wait in silence until he comes back.
“I’ve located Mercy’s buyer.” His voice is tight with urgency. “She’s still in the country. If we hurry, we can get her back.”
Adrenaline pushes aside my lingering doubts and fears. This is it—my chance to rescue Mercy and fix what I screwed up. I lock eyes with Eden, apprehension and hope in her eyes. I hardly ever wish anymore, but this time I do. I hope I’ll reach Mercy in time, for her sake.
“Eden, you will wait here until you can join Larissa,” I tell her.
“No, Nikolai, I’m going with you,” she protests. “I need to be there when we find Mercy.”
“Absolutely not,” I snap back, unwilling to risk Eden’s safety. “You’re not putting yourself in danger again. I won’t allow it.”
For a moment, she looks ready to argue, but then something in my expression must convince her because she relents. “Fine,” she concedes. “But you better come back in one piece, Nikolai.”
“I will,” I promise, kissing her forehead. Turning to Zakhar, I say, “Let’s go. The sooner we find Mercy, the sooner I can take care of Ricci.”
