AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He ends the call, running his fingers through his hair.
“Who was it?”
He shakes his head and goes to the bar, pouring himself a drink.
“Odin, which Family was she in talks with? The Dragon?”
“She was talking to Gabriel Malevolent.”
I still. “What?”
“You heard me.”
“But…but everyone knows the Malevolent family can’t be trusted.” My eyes water. “That’s who the King family is fighting with, isn’t it?”
“How did you know the Kings were fighting with someone?”
“Mother mentioned it, saying she hoped that was who Grandmama picked for me.”
He curses under his breath. “Well, that explains how the idea was put in Elsa’s head.”
“But why Gabriel?” I shiver. “I’ve met him, you know? At an event that Grandmama held before she stepped down.”
He stills. “Did he do anything?”
Everyone knows about the rumors that follow the Malevolent family around like a plague. Rumors that are more likely the truth.
“No. He didn’t get a chance. But I remember the way he looked at me.” I move closer to Odin. “I won’t marry him.”
“No, you won’t,” he agrees, pulling me into his embrace.
We’re both silent, lost in our thoughts. This feels like the beginning of the end and I’m not sure how to feel about it.
* * *
Later that night, Odin holds me close, rubbing my arm. I’m so scared because it feels like something has shifted between the two of us and I’m not sure how to make it go back to the way it was before.
I ask, “What would you do if you weren’t in the Mafia?”
“Never thought about it.”
“Come on. I’m sure little Odin had a lot of dreams.”
“Believe it or not, it was to be the leader of the Mafia. I watched my father fail after fighting so hard to make a name for himself. In the same vein, I watched Elsa rise to the top and stay there, even after her husband died. It was inspiring.”
“Do you miss your parents?”
“I do. They died far too young. Sometimes I wonder how my brothers would have turned out if my mother had raised them.”
“You did your best.”
He huffs. “I’m sure my father was rolling in his grave, knowing his bastard was left to take over his empire.”
My hand stills on his chest. “Do you really think he’s not your father?”
He’s silent for a moment. Crap. Did I dig too deep?
Finally, he says, “Both my parents told me the truth when I was twelve. One of my brothers—I don’t remember which—was teasing me for looking so different from the others. I was crying and my father took me by the shoulders, giving me a good shake. Told me I had his last name, and that was all that mattered.”
