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“I figured you would both want your righthand men to know. My brothers are aware, too.”
Kieran asks, “Remind me why we can’t just kill the bitch?”
Jafar sighs. “You know it’s not that simple. We need more people on our side who know the truth. Killing her leaves us open to attacks from people on the outside.”
I say, “My thoughts exactly. She’s already laying the groundwork for a coup by reaching out to Malevolent as a match for Anna. If Elsa dies now, without more proof of her treachery or more support, we leave ourselves open to attack.”
Jafar nods. “Well done, protecting your stepdaughter from Malevolent.”
I don’t answer. For the first time, hearing Anna called my stepdaughter makes me sick to my stomach. She’s so much more than that, but I can’t tell a damn soul.
Standing, I say, “I have a meeting with my brothers. I’ll be in contact. You two stay safe.”
I’m almost to the door when Jafar says, “Don’t forget that Ellie’s fundraiser is next week. You both need to be there, so no one suspects anything. Besides, I expect you both to make generous donations.”
I dip my head in acknowledgment as I leave. Outside, I slip into my waiting car that takes me to Brooklyn, to Larson’s house. We’re meeting here because he’s one of the more unsuspecting brothers since he likes to keep to himself. Everyone is here except for Hans, making me scowl.
“Hans couldn’t be bothered to step up for his family?”
Heimdall says, “No.”
“I will remember that.” I turn to my brothers. “You know why we’re here?”
Aksel says, “We do.”
“Good. Does everyone agree to move forward with our plan to take down Elsa and anyone who stands by her?”
Harold, Vidar, and Aric each exchange a nervous look. They’re younger and haven’t been through something like this before.
“Something on your mind, boys?”
Vidar clears his throat. “We’re okay with taking down Elsa, but why do we have to go after her granddaughter?”
Aric adds, “Anna is a nice girl. It just doesn’t seem right that her life is going to be ruined, too.”
“What are you talking about?”
Heimdall steps forward. “I told our brothers about your plan to ruin Anna.”
My jaw tics. “You did what?”
“As you said, she is the favorite granddaughter. Once news breaks that she has been sleeping with you, she will be ruined, and Elsa will lose support from others who are more old-fashioned in their views.”
Osman pats me on the shoulder. “Smart thinking on your end. How are we going to spin it? That she was some slut obsessed with you?”
It’s taking everything in my power not to pull out my gun and shoot at least two of my brothers.
“Anna is not to be used as a pawn.”
Osman’s gaze darts to Heimdall.
I turn to him. “Spit it out.”
“I’ve already put the plan into motion, brother. I worried that you might feel this way when you called me, pissed that Elsa was trying to arrange a marriage between Malevolent and Anna.” He says, “News is already on its way to Elsa.”
“You had no right.”
“I had every right. As you said, Elsa plans to take out our entire family. I’m not going to let that happen. Not when I’ve finally found happiness of my own.”
