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We all finally look at each other again as the questions continue to form. There could be many answers, but one thing is for sure, Saviatti is intelligent enough to realise the only way to keep his daughter safe is to give her to me.
However, even though we try to ensure everyone who attends is loyal to the families that govern the university, people can be bought. Minds can be controlled, even when it comes to those who belong to the Cosa Nostra.
I don’t think we’re ever safe. Not even for a moment.
Everyone has a price.
“We will figure it out,” I finally say. “In other news,” I continue, hoping to change the subject from the girl who has been the only thought in my mind since I first laid my eyes on her. “We need to get the new professors brought in for interviews. They’ve all come highly recommended from Rome.”
I make my way to the desk, and settling in my chair, I pull out the three folders I received a few days ago. Before Brielle and the contract, I had work to focus on. Since her, I’ve become distracted.
“Do you want us in on the meetings?” Valen asks.
“No, I’ll talk to them. I want you both watching her. I know you’re teaching classes this afternoon, but I’d like you to each take a shift. No matter the reason for her father wanting her here, we know there will be a threat to her safety.”
“You seem very concerned about protecting her.” Kai’s tone changes, it’s now filled with intrigue as he crosses his arms and regards me with a stare that looks right through me.
I pin him with a glare. Not because he’s angered me, but because I don’t want to respond to him. There’s no reason, at least not one I’m willing to admit to, for me to want to protect her. Other than the fact she’s a possession, and I always take care of my property.
But Kai thinks there’s more to it—I can read it in the glint of his eye.
“Hey, don’t blast the messenger,” Kai responds. “It’s just an observation. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to keep her safe. Fuck it, I’m more than willing to keep her right by my side all day, every day.”
“That’s because you want to fuck her,” Val throws out, and they both laugh.
I’m not amused at all. I fist my hands on the desk before taking a deep breath.
“I can’t deny she’s beautiful,” I finally reply after I’ve calmed myself. “But, I don’t trust anyone until they’ve proven themselves. As you both know.”
These guys have been around me all my life. We have grown up together and have learnt each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They’ve seen me at my best and my worst. They know what I’m like when I am focused. When all that matters is making someone pay.
“It’s not going to be easy to bring her into the dynamic, but it can be done. Perhaps she needs to have some time-out in the dungeon, let’s see how strong she really is,” Kai tells me as he settles on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other. “But it’s a decision we all make together. Frankly, I would love to see how she deals with that.”
The idea of having Brielle down there is intriguing. “What do you think?” I look at Valen.
“If she can deal with it, then we’ll know she’s strong. And having her on our side will ensure she’s loyal when the time comes.” He looks at me, his response has me nodding.
“Perhaps we find the right moment to do it. I think we need to instil a bit of fear in her, just to see if she breaks,” I say as I consider watching her come into her own. I don’t think she’ll break, but the thought is intoxicating to say the least.
“She’ll have to learn about everything,” Kai says. “I’ll gladly train her. Make sure she’s ready for whatever comes her way.”
“Good,” I respond with a nod. “Let’s get to work. I’m meeting with the new professors soon. They should be flying in shortly, and once those interviews are over, we can figure out what to do with the new princess.”
“And she certainly is a princess,” Valen remarks, causing me to flick my gaze his way.
He’s clearly entranced with her. I think we all are, but there is one hurdle to overcome before we can even consider allowing her in—she needs to make her first kill. And once she does that, we will have the leverage we need to keep her right here.
She will be our queen.
TWISTED PROMISES
BRIELLE
I’ve managedto avoid Judah as my first week of studying comes to an end. I didn’t want to be here, but after attending classes, and finding kinship with the small handful of girls who are studying here, I’ve settled into a routine—wake up, get out of the house, and spend the day at university. When I do return in the early evenings, it’s quiet.
But it’s finally come time to talk to Emilio. Even though he’s my half-brother and we’ve been civil, I haven’t been able to bring myself to say much more than agood morningto him. He looks so much like our father, it’s quite disconcerting.
Saturday morning is bright. The sun is already rising when I make my way down to the kitchen. There’s a handful of staff always on-site, and when I step into the warmth of the heart of the house, I find the cook busy at the hob.
