Chapter 39 #2
Konni’s calm had evaporated at the mention of Edward Glibs. By the end, he radiated anger. If Lianna had been close, I think he would have finished strangling her.
“Do you have any additional questions for Lianna?” the elder asked.
Konni glanced at me, and I shook my head.
“We don’t. How do the Elders propose to punish Lianna?” Konni asked.
“She fixated on you as her mate because she fears leaving everything she knows and bonding with someone beneath her status. We suggest she realizes her fears.”
Konni and I shared a look.
Lianna was a complete elitist bitch. Stripping away her wealth would torment her.
“When you send her out,” Konni said, “don’t let her take anything, and she has to stay with each family for a month, minimum, meeting everyone before moving to the next. Start from any middle-class dragon families you can find, and work down.”
He was positively evil. Middle class would feel like hell from the start. But she would keep sinking deeper instead of climbing out.
“Then we are agreed? You’ll spare her?” the elder asked.
“For now. If I see her again, that will change.”
“Understood. And congratulations on finding your mate, Drokonnen. We look forward to seeing the next generation in the skies.”
“With fewer flames, hopefully,” I added.
The chuckle from the phone assured me I hadn’t crossed a line.
“Fewer flames are preferred,” the man agreed before saying goodbye.
I let the information settle in.
“Provoking Lianna paid off more than I expected. Can her confession be used to press charges against my stepmother for kidnapping?”
“To an extent. If you want to punish her by human law, we’ll need more evidence.”
I nodded thoughtfully.
“We’ll need more anyway. If Charlotte had no problem framing me for corporate espionage and kidnapping, what else is she capable of doing?
Arson maybe? Paying for a hit and run? It’s very coincidental that she was involved in the kidnapping and also happens to be on the list of trustees for the shell company that paid for both and targeted my mom.
I’m not saying it’s her, but I think we shouldn’t just focus on my dad when we investigate that list.”
Konni’s arm wrapped around my hips, and he tugged me back onto his lap for a hug.
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. Thanks to you, Mom’s smiling more than she has in years, I’m living the good life, and we're close to finding out who’s behind our past bullshit. I think that might even earn you a little PDA when we leave today.”
His gaze lit with interest.
“Are you going to call your dad or wait until we get home?”
“Call,” he said. “Stay for it?”
Knowing he was using it as an excuse to hold me for a few more minutes, I agreed.
Balak didn’t have a lot to say when he heard everything Lianna had done. Mom did when she heard about Charlotte’s involvement, though.
“That bitch. She already had money and got my husband,” Mom said. “Why come after us?”
“Revenge for getting stuck with him?” Kaya guessed.
“We only know that she instigated the data leak and suggested sending me to Hestian,” I said. “We need proof before we know for sure she’s responsible for the rest, and whether or not Dad was involved.”
A brief silence followed.
“You’re right,” Balak said. “We’ll keep looking.”
“It’s time to take a more direct approach,” Kaya said. “There’s a social on Friday night. We’re all attending. But first, Sophia, Abbye, and I are going to meet with the elder Mrs. Hildcrask for afternoon tea.”
“Why?” Balak asked.
“The Hildcrasks have maintained their place in Motan’s upper society for generations because they understand the food chain, and Konni just reminded everyone why the Steeles are nearly untouchable. Frances Hildcrask won’t let one rotten apple bring the family name to ruin. Not on her watch.”
Konni’s arms tightened around me. I held his gaze, watching his conflict play out in his expression.
“Is it wise to bring Sophia?” Balak asked. “Today is her first day back. How will it look if she’s already socializing?”
“Like I did nothing wrong,” I said firmly. “And it’ll show everyone I’m not an easy target.”
I saw the defeat in Konni’s gaze.
Frances Hildcrask, the matriarch of the extensive Hildcrask family, was already at a table when we arrived at Clay and Leaf.
Her sharp gaze took us in as we approached.
Mine was just as assessing, noting her trendy pantsuit and understated jewelry.
Nothing flashy to show her status or wealth. Simply quiet refinement.
“Mrs. Steele,” she said. “Your unexpected invitation has me very curious, especially on the heels of recent, troubling news. I hope you won’t make me sit through an entire round of tea to discover what has turned the Steele eye in my direction.”
Kaya’s smile was genuine. “As always, I appreciate your forthright ways, Mrs. Hildcrask. It makes it much easier to know where I stand with the Hildcrasks.”
The older woman lightly snorted. “Stand with us? The Stonestocks are fools for publicly rejecting their association with you. If you’re concerned about that, I can assure you the Hildcrasks fully support the Steeles. We’re not fools.”
“Oh? I believe your grand-niece, Charlotte, might disagree. We have a reputable witness who says she helped Lianna Stonestock on several occasions. First to frame my future daughter-in-law for the Steele data leak, then to kidnap her. We believe Charlotte may have done even more to hurt Sophia and her mother, though.”
Kaya pushed the manila envelope on the table toward the older woman.
She opened it and scanned the documents we had regarding the transferred funds.
“A direct deposit into the account of the driver responsible for hitting Abbye Elmantas’s car.” Kaya indicated Mom. “And another deposit a few days before their home caught fire. It was on the news, if you recall.”
Frances lifted her gaze, her expression guarded.
“I do. It was all the news wanted to report for several days after.”
“Handing this over to the authorities is the last thing I want to do,” Kaya said in a friendly tone. “We’ve already given the media enough to report on, with the way my son likes to burn those who hurt his future mate, don’t you agree?”
Her mastery of reminding without threatening was applaudable.
“I agree and am grateful you came to me with this first.”
“Of course. Reasonable people respond reasonably. And you’re a reasonable person, Mrs. Hildcrask.
Unfortunately, not everyone is. I had to cut ties with someone who was very close to me recently.
I watched her grow up, but she crossed a line and needs to account for her actions.
It’s very difficult to stand back and do nothing when someone you care about is in serious trouble. ”
“I imagine so.” Frances’s keen gaze shifted to me. “You’re Sophia, Denis’s daughter?”
“I am,” I said.
“It’s terrible what men believe they have the right to do to women. I’m thankful you’re all right.” She paused for a moment, not looking away from me. “I heard you and your father are estranged.”
“We are, and I plan to keep it that way for the rest of my life.”
She nodded. “In a family as large as mine, we have a few dead branches too. It’s a pity. However, pruning a few branches keeps the tree healthy. We Hildcrasks have always been judicious pruners.”
Meeting Kaya’s gaze, she returned the documents. “Unlike you, I don’t have any difficulty standing back after I cut ties with someone.”
“I’m relieved to hear that, Mrs. Hildcrask. No one should have to suffer because of someone else’s mistakes.
“Balak and I are hosting a small gathering next Saturday to welcome Sophia into our family, among other things. It’s all very hush-hush, though. If you wanted to take a holiday to avoid the Steeles once again being the talk of Motan, we wouldn’t be offended.”
“Offended.” Mrs. Hildcrask laughed and glanced at me. “If you’re smart, you’ll learn from this one. Humble beginnings, my ass. You were born to rule the Steele empire.”
Kaya hid her smirk with a sip of tea as Mrs. Hildcrask stood. “If there’s nothing else, I’m off to check ledgers and book a long overdue holiday. I’ll send a welcome gift before the party.”
Mom radiated elegant confidence as she exited the car in her custom gown. Beside her, Kaya’s intentionally subdued dress made Mom shine brighter.
Tonight’s event—a charity gala for those who liked to show off their influence—required formal wear. I loved the creation I wore, but Konni in White Tie was stunning.
“Ready?” Konni asked, offering me his arm.
I took it, leaning into him just a little. After his rampage and my rescue, there was no point in keeping our distance. Not that either of us wanted that. He wouldn’t let me out of his sight for a second, and I loved knowing that.
We followed Balak and Kaya inside while Mom followed, making a statement in her solitude.
People noticed us. Mom. Me. The Steeles. Conversation quieted as we passed, making our way deeper into the venue. Balak paused by the bar to get us all drinks.
It didn’t take long for a woman I didn’t recognize to approach Kaya with a familiarity she didn’t return.
“Kaya, I can’t believe it’s you. How long has it been?”
“Ages,” she replied smoothly. “How have you been?”
“Well. The youngest is getting married this fall. And you? Any weddings coming up for your family?”
Her blatant question and pointed look at my hold on Konni visibly annoyed Kaya. The woman didn’t appear to notice, though, and waited for an answer.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, my father closed in fast behind her, saving Kaya.
“Sophia,” he said, stepping around the woman. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? We could have arrived together.”
He wasn’t even looking at me. He was focused on Konni.
Charlotte, who was a step behind him, wasn’t. She was studying me.
I nodded at her, feigning politeness.
She ignored it and turned to Kaya, pointedly giving Mom her back. In return, Kaya didn’t even look in Charlotte’s direction.
“Mr. Elmantas,” Kaya said warmly. “You’re just the person we were hoping to see tonight.”
Dad’s eyes lit. “Oh? What can I do for you?”
She reached into her clutch for a party invitation they’d carefully worded “to welcome a new member to the Steele family.” I watched him open it, his expression both pleased and curious. Did that mean he hadn’t seen the one we’d sent via courier?
He glanced at Kaya, and I could see he intended to ask who they were welcoming.
Kaya saw it too.
“We’re very interested in TAS shares and would like to discuss acquisition terms if you’re open to selling,” she said, redirecting the conversation.
Dad’s gaze lit with excitement. He hurried to tuck the invitation into his coat and withdraw his business card for her.
“Of course, I would be open to selling to you. We’re almost family.”
Heads turned at Dad’s raised voice at the end.
Charlotte didn’t look as happy as Kaya accepted the card.
“I heard you don’t have the right to sell them,” Konni said. “Only your wife does.”
Charlotte’s displeasure vanished, and she smiled politely under our collective focus.
“TAS is our life’s work that our son will inherit someday.”
“Your life’s work?” Mom asked coolly. “I didn’t realize you were involved since the beginning.”
“That’s unfortunate,” Kaya said before Charlotte could respond. “If that changes, let me know.”
She very dismissively turned her back on the pair and smiled up at Balak.
“Let’s dance,” she said.
He took her hand.
A man approached Mom. “Would you be interested in a dance?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Konni led me in their wake, and I watched the man formally offer his hand to Mom before stepping onto the floor with her. It shouldn’t have been so weird or bittersweet to see her dancing with someone, but it was.
Ever the perfect mate, Konni quietly distracted me from my thoughts with the stunning devotion in his eyes and his polished moves.
After the dance ended, we made our way to his parents and Mom.
“How long do we need to stay?” Balak asked, sounding so much like Konni that I grinned.
Kaya shot Balak a warning look, but her expression almost immediately shifted to something over his shoulder.
Following her gaze, I saw Christine Stonestock hurrying our way.
Her dress, hair, and makeup were immaculate, but the tight smile she wore didn’t come close to the polite one she’d previously used.
“Should we give you a moment?” Mom asked.
“No. I believe the topic will involve your daughter, too,” Kaya said.
Christine’s gaze briefly met mine as she approached, and I wondered if the remorse I saw was due to what I’d suffered or what her daughter would.
“Kaya, may I have a private word?” Christine said, her voice tight. “Please.”
“If this is about Lianna, there’s no need, is there?”
“Please, Kaya. You know Lianna. Watched her grow up.”
“I did. And I’m devastated by the choices she made.”
“She didn’t mean for it to go so far. She was hurt by Drake’s lack of trust in her over someone he’s only known for a few weeks, and acted rashly.”
“Rashly?” Konni echoed with an angry growl, vibrating as he spoke. “As a dragon, she understands that scenting a mate happens in an instant and doesn’t need time to build trust.”
Christine gripped her shaking hands in front of her. “She was in denial, hoping that you would scent her.”
“Exactly,” Kaya said. “And now she needs to atone for what she’s done.”
“But exile? Please, Kaya. Imagine if it were Drake being sent away.”
“I would be eternally grateful the mate chose mercy instead of killing him outright for interfering with a mated pair’s bond.”
Her expression fell, and her eyes started to water.
“Talk to your mate about your pain. He’ll find a solution. That’s what mates do,” Balak said to her before taking Kaya’s hand. “It’s time for us to leave.”
Kaya nodded, and barely an hour after we’d arrived, we left, having completed our purpose.
On the way home, I held Konni’s hand.
“Thank you for being my mate.”