Chapter 9 #2
“Despite her Vitalis name,” he continued, his tone dangerously calm, “she comes from a family no more illustrious than commoners. Picture it clearly—the Galanis reputation dragged through the mud.”
As Markos detailed his list of grievances, each complaint landed like a hammer blow on my chest. My throat tightened as I thought of my next steps.
“She’s uneducated, Niko. No proper upbringing, there isn’t even a nurturing mother to speak of. And her family's scandalous history?” He sighed, shaking his head in disbelief while his eyes subtly flicked towards Stefano.
“What? Just say it, then!” I urged, my fists clenching beneath the table, envisioning the satisfaction of hurling a bottle of wine at Markos, the red liquid bursting like my chaotic thoughts.
“We mean no offense,” Markos offered, his voice a smooth cloak over the storm brewing inside me. “But her reputation in Prague? It leaves much to be desired.”
A knot formed in my stomach, and I pressed on, desperation edging my voice. “And what exactly do you mean by ‘her reputation’?”
Stefano shook his head, pity oozing from every pore, and I felt my blood heat. “Your men must have kept this from you. Someone has to tell you,” he said, the implication heavy in the air.
“Tell me what?” I shot back, a whirlwind of confusion and anger swirling within me. Was it possible they had information that eluded me? My men had been diligent—I’d even sent them back for more intelligence.
“Your fiancée is somewhat of a…” Stefano hesitated, but Markos cut him off, his expression stern, determined not to allow the words to escape.
There was a charged silence, and I could almost taste the betrayal in the air, a bitter aftertaste I hadn’t anticipated for my future.
“A whore, Niko! Layana is a whore!” Markos exclaimed. “They all are.”
What did he call her? The urge to kill him intensified. He would not tarnish Laya’s or her sisters’ names. I knew all too well the truth.
“Are you saying she’s merely promiscuous, or are you directly labeling her a whore?” I asked, raising an eyebrow and relying on my training to maintain my composure.
“Precisely that,” Stefano affirmed, his gaze locked onto mine with a serious intensity.
That accusation against my soon-to-be wife ignited a murderous rage so violent, it surprised me I hadn’t already torn him apart with my bare hands.
“But that’s just a rumor, isn’t it?” I stated.
“Yes,” Markos conceded, “but we’re determined to find solid proof.”
“Really? Proof? And how exactly do you plan to obtain that?” I challenged.
“We have some men investigating it,” Stefano admitted, leaving his explanation lingering.
Those sneaky bastards. What were they expecting to uncover? Torn condoms? Evidence of a fling? It all sounded absurd, and my inner fury threatened to burst over as I struggled to keep my cool.
I crossed my arms and asked, “Is there anything else?”
“Isn’t that enough?” Markos snapped. “It’s obvious she needs to go. You’re better than this, Nikolas.”
“Well then, if there’s nothing else,” I began, drawing in a deep breath. “I appreciate your so-called honesty, and I’ll respond with equal frankness. Nothing you’ve said has made me reconsider my plan to marry Layana Vitalis. The wedding will proceed as scheduled.”
“What?” Stefano shouted, slamming his hand on the table so hard that the wine bottle and glasses rattled, attracting the surprised attention of everyone in the restaurant. “You never pay attention to us, Niko! Why did we even have this meeting if you were just going to embarrass our family?”
“That’s right,” Markos fumed. “You believe you’re the only one capable of leading this family, but you’re wrong. You’re fucking wrong, Niko.”
I stifled a yawn at their predictable, worn-out argument. Couldn’t they think of something fresh, for fuck’s sake?
“I have a question for both of you,” I said, barely above a whisper, forcing them to lean in to hear me. “How do you think our father would react to what you just mentioned if he were here with us now?”
They opened their mouths simultaneously to respond, but I raised a finger to my lips, silencing them right away.
They exchanged a nervous glance, not that it was obvious they had annoyed me. They were rather stupid, but they were smart enough to understand I would strike at any moment now.
“I will answer my own question.” I gave them my coldest glare.
“He would be completely ashamed of both of you, embarrassed by your childish outbursts. Now, regarding my marriage, our father always valued the Vitalis name. Should I remind you of the numerous photos in our home featuring him with Juno Vitalis? Isn’t that evidence of his respect for the Vitalises and the legacy they represent? ”
“The Vitalises are snakes!” Stefano exclaimed, his face a play of fury. “And if you’re not careful, Niko, you’ll share the same fate as our beloved father!”
“What, do you mean death? We’re all on that path, each in our own way,” I replied, leaning forward with a dismissive gesture.
“If you don’t cut ties with that filthy family, Niko, your fate will catch up with you sooner than you think.”
I raised an eyebrow at Stefano’s thinly veiled threat, allowing the tension to linger heavily in the room.
“Don’t make an enemy of me, Stefano,” I warned. “Trust me, you’ll regret it.”
“We’re only trying to tell you the truth, Niko,” Markos insisted.
“It all sounds a lot like a threat to me.” I slowly stood up, looming over them with a predatory glare.
“Don’t even think about messing with me or my family.
And let me make it clear that this includes the Vitalis family.
If either of you slimy little shits dares to touch them, I promise the revenge will be excruciatingly painful, bloody, and well beyond your wildest nightmares. ”
Their faces fell as they grasped that they’d crossed a line from which they couldn’t return. They’d pushed me too far.
They understood that playing with fire involved the risk of being consumed by the flames and reduced to dust.
Their silence conveyed everything.
With one final, measured step, I exited the restaurant, the weight of my anger palpable in the air. I left them to stew in their well-deserved mix of shame and fear.