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“Well, Mr. Drakos, it appears there is nothing more to be discussed,” Gustave stated, the skin at the edge of his collar pinkening.
Chapter 2 – Talia
Constantine Drakoswas vicious, with a past darker than the backside of the moon. He was a smuggler indispensable to the underworld, and for the right price, he did things other brutes wouldn’t do or couldn’t stomach. The animosity between the Drakos family and ours was volatile enough to bring about complete destruction if we didn’t take the initiative and end him first. A direct strike, which had been tried on numerous occasions, was impossible. Drakos protected himself with every security service available. The best firm on the West Coast furnished him with an army of guards, all of whom were unable to be bribed. Whereas my family hid in plain sight, not bringing attention to our home, Drakos lived in open grandeur, protected on every front. We needed a way behind enemy lines—which brought us to the marriage proposal.
The look on the butcher’s face when he saw me was priceless. And now, as he spoke with my father, I was conscious that he was always aware of me. Clearly, Drakos wasn’t pleased my father had tried to close the meeting, because the monster’s black gaze shifted to my father again, his face darkening with cruelty.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Mr. Beaumont. As usual.” Drakos pinched the contract tightly between his fingers. “‘Si vis pacem para bellum.’”
Let him who desires peace prepare for war.I nearly snorted. Perfect—that quote was absolutely perfect.
Drakos flicked a glance at me, and I wondered if he thought I was impressed.
I’m not impressed.No, far from it. I’d heard tales of this man, of his cruelty. His fame replaced that of the boogey man. Not only was he younger than I expected, but he wasn’t hideous. Far from it. He had an intelligent countenance and swarthy features, and there was a wicked glint in his eye that was most arresting. He was a pirate king come to life, and I had the idiotic thought that at least it wouldn’t be a chore to look at him across the breakfast table if this marriage proposal went ahead.
“So, what is your answer, Drakos?” my father spat. His temper was thinning.
I wanted to roll my eyes. Typical. Even as a mad genius, my sire had only the smallest grip on his anger. This wasn’t a good strategy; badgering a man like Constantine Drakos would never make him bend.
“We’ll be in touch,” the butcher responded with a nod of his head.
“Why wait?” fumed my brother, Claude. “She’s right there—take her!”
Aghh!Why?! Why did my brother have to open his mouth and prove us all idiots? My father’s jaw twitched, the smallest sign that he was annoyed—but not angry. No, never angry at Claude.
Now if I had said something that stupid....
“Because, junior, I’m not a hasty man,” Drakos taunted. “Mr. Beaumont, I’ll do my due diligence with this document as I mull over your proposal. I’ll respond in a timely fashion.”
“Very good,” my father snapped.
The butcher turned to me, his gaze scorching as he looked me over once more. I didn’t flinch, even though it felt as if the bastard was undressing me right then and there. “Miss Beaumont,” he said, dipping his head ever so slightly. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
The words were velvet. In response, a shiver rippled down my spine.
Drakos saw it. His lips turned up into a cruel smile as he moved to the door, and I knew I had him exactly where I wanted him.He thinks he’s so good. He has no idea he’s being played.Because what the butcher didn’t know was that I was every bit the match for him. Knowing that I would be married off to some advantageous family in the underworld, my father had ensured my education prepared me for every possible outcome. I had learned to fight. I had learned to kill. And I had nailed the art of sensuality from the best tutors money could buy. In short, I was a weapon wrapped up in a decadent, white bridal package with the goal to switch to widow’s black as soon as the honeymoon was over.
