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“Only one more,” she confirms.
“Good girl, Ivy.” I kiss her forehead as her breath hitches with the praise. “I won’t be long. Have fun.”
I alert the guys that I’m on my way out. They understand the need to be vigilant with Ivy in my absence, so I exit outside to the private terrace off the courtyard—not in use because I had reserved it—and pull out the burner phone I brought with me, in case.
I plug in the number and wait for him to answer.
Seconds later, he does with a gravelly, clipped, “Speak.”
“Change of plans,” I announce. “I’m married.”
He clears his throat, and I wait, allotting him the time to process all of the unspoken in my words. He grunts. “Tothegirl?”
“Yes.”
“How does that aidme?” he hisses, getting right to the point of all our interactions. The benefit to him or his family business.
“It’s an added layer of insurance that she’s in my possession. She’s mine. We’ll still be the ones producing what no one else can.”
He dithers there with a quiet murmur. “You did this forher?”
Fuck. I can already see which way this is going. Not so different than it did with Liam and Gage.
“It’s complicated. But, yes.” I don’t apologize. Ever. Which is why I don’t lie either. It’s a form of apology in essence.
“Love?” His tone is more benign than I would expect with that inquiry.
I don’t think I’m capable of love. Power hungry doesn’t leave much room for such frivolous emotion. But I’m indisputably a man obsessed. She gets under my skin, into my thoughts, heating me with a mere glance. That’s not what he asked though.
“No,” I answer.
“If she is to take her place, your marriage will not protect her any greater. It would be an act of war to touch her either way.” He pauses before adding, “And she won’t be absolved of testing.”
“All true. But it helps. I can be certain she won’t fall into anyone else’s hands. And after fighting for her position, it’s in our best interest to ensure she succeeds in obtaining it. She’ll also be doubly protected if she refuses it.” I didn’t need to admit the last reason, but he’d have sensed any lack of transparency, which would have only backfired.
“You’re showing weakness,” he scorns. “Cabrinis don’t show weakness.”
He may have helped me fight for her role, but the marriage blindsided him. It’s a simple matter of changing his perspective. I need to convince him this union furthers his plans.
“I beg to differ,Grandfather. To be married to one of the most powerful women in the world, I’m showingmydominance. The Cabrini influence will be stretched to a second seat now.”
The truth of that hits a chord, singing to his autocratic spirit. His timbre softens in spite of the threat he delivers. “She’ll be loyalty tested now too.”
Gritted teeth and suppressing a snarl. “I’m aware.”
“Time frame to have her ready?”
As I note his change in direction, my confidence rises. “Two to three months.”
“Good enough,” he says curtly. “The seat is yours. I’ll be in touch.”
Hanging up the phone, I still, releasing a breath that’s been held for half a decade. It worked. It fucking worked. I scrub a hand over my face, needing the scratch of the faint stubble to help me quell the victorious holler bubbling inside me.
It doesn’t suffice. Since I’m alone, I pump my fist three times and whoop—a drawn-out huzzah, high-pitched and impassioned from years of toiling for this goal. The exultation stings the back of my eyes.
Christ, that felt good.
I smooth my hands over my suit, regaining my composure.
