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"He...he didn't give me his name. He just said you had found your mate and that he was in danger. He said if I wanted to help you, I should ensure that your mate was safe. I was just trying to do the right thing, sir. I was just trying to keep your mate safe."
I seriously doubted that.
"Instead, you kidnapped the true mate of an alpha," I roared. "You interfered in his mating. You know what that means, Benito."
Benito dropped to his knees in front of me, his head bowed. "Please, sir. It won't ever happen again. I swear."
"Whatever gave you the idea that you could do something like that anyway? You are my butler, Benito, not my head of security. You are not in charge of keeping my mate safe."
"Yes, sir, but..."
I grabbed him by his shirt collar and lifted him up into the air until his feet dangled above the floor. "Did you really think by kidnapping my mate's uncle I would make you my assistant?"
His eyes rounded. He was clearly surprised that I knew what his plan had been. "I...I..."
"You don't get to decide who is going to be my assistant. I do. Paolo has been my assistant all of these years because he is good at his job and he doesn't make stupid decisions. That's why he is my assistant, and you are not."
I tossed Benito toward my guards. "You're not my butler anymore either. You're relieved of your position. I'll find a new butler, someone that won't betray our clan and everything we stand for." I pointed toward the door. "Get him out of here."
As the guards dragged a crying Benito out of the room, I turned to the others. "Sisko, go with them. Make sure Benito leaves the estate."
"Yes, sir."
I walked over and dropped to my knees in front of Armando, Antoinette, and Pierre, bowing my head low to the floor in a respectful manner. "Please accept my deepest apologies for the harm that was done to your family by one of mine. I put myself into your care."
I heard a gasp behind me, but ignored it. I was too busy giving a formal apology to the three shocked people before me, letting them know that I would accept whatever restitution they deemed appropriate.
Essentially, my life was in their hands.
Chapter Eighteen
~ René ~
My jaw hung down to my chest as I stared at the top of Alessandro's head. I was in complete shock at what he had said. I knew the words he had spoken were formal.
Very formal.
My father could now order Alessandro's death, take all of his wealth, or even make him step down as prince of the gryphons. He could do anything he wanted to exact retribution for what had been done by someone in Alessandro's household.
No matter how much I wanted to protest, I knew I couldn't say anything. My father was the head of our clan. He was also the one wronged. Well, Pierre was really the one wronged since he'd been the one kidnapped, but as alpha and head of our clan, it was my father's place to speak.
I held my breath as I raised my head to look at my father, silently pleading with him. I didn't think he would demand Alessandro's life or even for him to step down, but he could demand a hefty sum from him.
"The only thing I want from you," my father started, "is your promise that you will love and protect my son for the rest of your days."
My breath blew out in a gasp.
"René is my true mate, but beyond that he's a kind and caring person. He'd be the sort of man I would choose to be my mate even if he wasn't my true mate," Alessandro whispered solemnly. "I would gladly give my life for him."
Tears gathered in my eyes at the sincerity in Alessandro's words. He truly meant them. I could hear it in his voice. I knew that the connection between true mates was strong, but I hadn't expected it to be this strong this soon.
"Please get up, Prince Vitali," my father said as he stood.
Once Alessandro stood, they clasped arms.
"Let there be peace between us," my father said.
"Let there be peace between us," Alessandro echoed.
