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“Is there anything you want to tell me?” The question popped out, intense and direct. “Talia, you don’t have to fear me.”
She was a master of her features; not a muscle moved on her face. Her pupils, however, expanded a fraction, and the skin near her eye twitched ever so slightly. “What do you mean?” she asked without a stutter or tremor.
What did I mean?I let out a frustrated breath, making Talia jerk slightly. I didn’t mean for her to hear that. I let go of her hand. “Forget it.” I rose. “Let’s go back to the house.”
The truth was, I had hoped for her to confide in me. I wanted her to admit to the attempted murder so that I could offer to help her. Especially if she really was a pawn.
I squashed the idea. It was utterly impossible.
Chapter 27 – Constantine
As I looked to thegreat cross hanging above the altar, my chest lightened a fraction. The priest’s sermon was excellent and worthy of contemplation, but my sinner’s mind was wandering. There was only one place it focused—my wife.The murderess.That thought caused my lips to turn up into a half-smile. Never had a woman fascinated me so much.
My conclusion last night was simple—Talia needed to see the world for what was really there. She might be her father’s little spy and agent of evil, but if she could be saved, I had to try. She was taught by Gustave that I was the enemy, not the other way around, and I would need to be careful how much I showed her of her father’s blackguard deeds. Jason had been instrumental in planting those seeds of suspicion last night. A word or two from me, and he’d gone overboard, ratting out the devil’s empire. Talia had been caught completely off guard. But now it was time for the next step in my plan: I needed her to start questioning Gustave. Only then could she make her decision on whether to continue in his mad campaign or not.
Talia was going to know every ugly truth. What she did with the information...well, that would remain to be seen. It still terrified me that she might choose her family’s side, but it was a risk I had to take. She had to be given that choice.Even if she doesn’t choose me, so long as she rejects him.
I stood for the final benediction, filled with renewal and purpose. While the priest made announcements, I slipped down the side aisle of the Orthodox Cathedral. It was time to get to work.
Out on the street, I met Philip, who had the door to the town car open.
“Where to, Mr. Drakos?” he asked.
“Home please, Philip,” I replied, sliding into the vehicle and closing the privacy window. Phone in hand, I ignored my messages and hit the call button. There was a ring, then a click, followed by soft breathing.
“Drakos?” Talia sounded nervous.
“Good morning, princess. I’ll be at the house in fifteen minutes. Meet me out front; we’re going for a drive.”
There was a beat before Talia answered. “A drive?”
“Sunday drive? You’ve never heard of such a thing?” I felt a smirk pull on my lips.
“I’ve heard of Sunday drives, dumb ass. I’m just shocked you want to do something so light and carefree after yesterday.”
Yes, after her failed murder attempt, she was no doubt shaken. Except...she didn’t know Jason was still alive. Her defensive reaction was proof enough of her discomfort due to a guilty conscience. I also hoped that she was bothered by what Jason had let slip about her father.
