Chapter 104
ONE HUNDRED FOUR
THE NEW DUCHESS
Jewel finished with my hair, standing back and admiring his work.
“Excellent,” he said, and I turned around to see.
My makeup as the Crimson Duchess had always been overt—dark eyeshadow with winged eyeliner, bright red lipstick, thick lashes.
Today, the makeup Jewel had given me was lighter.
My cheeks were rosy, but my lips were a shimmering pink.
He’d opted for mascara and a light tan for the eyeshadow, and my face looked more…
honest. Not the Duchess, but not the old Laurel, either. Something new.
I straightened, adjusting the wraparound white dress I’d just bought, and Jewel fixed a string of pearls to my neck.
Finch knocked on the door, poking his head in. “You ready?” I didn’t miss his double-take when he saw me standing there. “Wow,” he said, staring. “You look so beautiful.”
I stood on my tiptoes and gave him a kiss. Jewel tutted and reapplied my lip gloss.
I’d suggested we meet in the private dining room for the meeting, and the family had agreed.
Jade sent a text, confirming she’d successfully got into Father’s office, and I smiled as Finch opened the door for me.
I had a brief word with the staff about the food being served, and made sure the seats were arranged correctly, before settling beside the door.
Grandpa Octavius and Grandma Edwina were the first to arrive, and I pecked each of them on the cheek as expected before escorting them to their chairs. Edwina immediately called for a glass of wine. The rest of the family trickled in, Vivienne giving me her usual bitchy glare.
My aunt Rosalind arrived five minutes late, slipping into the seat by my side. The staff had set out light snacks, and Octavius sat up straighter in his chair. My father had looked just like him, but I supposed my father would never look that old, now.
“So,” he said, lacing his fingers together. “Thaddeus is dead, at Prince’s hands, as I understand it.”
“We’ve got him in the cages,” Marcus said, dabbing at his forehead with a handkerchief.
He looked like he hadn’t slept in days, though if my son had just murdered one of the family, I probably wouldn’t be sleeping either.
“I don’t know what’s going on with the security tapes, but we’ve got nothing for that evening. ”
Prince had woken up beside Thaddeus, panicked, and tried to run.
“My PI will get to the bottom of it,” Valentino, my father’s eldest cousin, said. “Though it’s pretty cut and dry.”
Octavius sighed. “This is what happens when people get greedy. When they forget why this family works. Vivienne, you have the press handled?”
She gave a curt nod.
“And you’ve coordinated with Cornelius about what’s going on the coroner’s report?”
Vivienne hesitated, meeting our other cousin’s eye. That’s what my father had done as the head of the family—coordinated all the separate streams to make sure everything worked together smoothly.
“I’ve made a report,” I said, raising my hand. Finch stepped forward and handed me some files from his bag. “Key points for the press release, and the coroner’s report. Funeral arrangements, and I have checked in with the staff to make sure the rumours don’t get out of hand.”
“Thank you, Laurel dear,” Octavius said as I passed the folders across the table.
Vivienne looked like she was sucking on a lemon.
“Now, I’m prepared to help support whoever steps in to fill Thaddeus’s shoes,” he continued.
The energy in the room shifted, everyone looking intently at Octavius.
Valentino was next in line, but Marcus had worked closely with my father and may be better suited.
Unless Octavius decided that one of the younger generations should step up.
Romeo, Prince’s brother, had also worked here at the casino and was the oldest among the grandchildren.
“Valentino,” Octavius said, turning to his nephew. “You’re next in line. But I understand if you want to remain in your current role.”
Valentino’s eyes glinted as he bowed his head in mock humility. “I’m prepared to make the transition. Caius can take over my role in the business,” he said, nodding toward his son. “He’s been a partner for years.”
I cleared my throat. “No need to worry about that. I have it all handled,” I said, giving them my sweetest smile.
Every head in the room turned to look at me.
“Right. Yes, of course, Laurel. Any information you have to help with the transition would be appreciated,” Valentino said, turning back to Octavius.
“I think you misunderstand,” I said, firmly reclaiming his attention. “I will be taking Thaddeus’s place.”
You could have heard a pin drop in the room.
“I’m sorry, you?” Caius said with a snort.
Vivienne’s eyes were alight with amusement, so sure I was about to humiliate myself.
I addressed my grandfather. “I think you’ll find that I am the most well-suited to take his place. After all, I have attended the majority of his business meetings for years.”
“Laurel,” said Octavius, “I know grief is a heavy burden to bear.”
“Grief?” I asked. “I’m afraid I’m not grieving the pack I just met, one of whom dug a knife into my shoulder while the others stood by. Nor the father who would routinely beat me in his fits of rage.”
Octavius’s mouth was hanging open slightly, his expression uncomfortable.
“Don’t pretend you didn’t know. None of you get to pretend you didn’t sit by and do nothing to help me.” I looked around the room, but for some reason, no one would meet my eyes.
“Laurel, your mind is under a lot of strain right now. Given your history, I know we can forgive—” Octavius started, but I cut in.
“My history?” I gave a little laugh. “Oh, of course. You were all there at my brother’s funeral, after all. You all saw me claim he wasn’t dead.”
I clapped my hands twice, and Finch, a smile twitching on his face, swung open the door.
Jewel, dressed in a white-and-gold suit, stepped into the room. His golden eyes shimmered with delight as Aunt Ophelia actually fainted.
“Yes, I’d miss me too. No need to worry, dearly beloved family, I am back from my extended hiatus,” he announced to the dumbfounded room.
I’d had to talk Jewel down from I’m back, bitches, because I figured we probably shouldn’t give Grandpa a heart attack.
Finch pulled up a chair between me and Rosalind, and Jewel sat down, propping his feet up on the table. Vivienne was helping her mother back up. Ophelia grabbed the bottle of wine as soon as she was finished.
“I can assure you, my mind is perfectly sound,” I continued.
“And I already have my people on some important tasks. Tasks, as I said, I am the most equipped to deal with. Unless anyone else has a list of the relationships my father maintained? Or knows how to contact them to reassure them their deals are still intact?”
I looked directly into Valentino’s eyes.
“Thaddeus prepared a list that anyone could work from,” he said, his face dark.
“Oh, you mean the files in his office?” I examined my cuticles. “No need to worry. I had those moved somewhere safe.”
“You will stop this idiotic tantrum and return them immediately,” he snapped, slamming his hand on the table.
“Oh, silly me, I forgot where I put them,” I told him, tapping my chin. “Must be my fragile mind acting up again. Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll turn up sooner or later.”
Rosalind let out a laugh, sitting back and crossing her arms. Jewel was grinning from ear to ear. Valentino’s face had turned a vivid shade of puce, and he rose to his feet. There was a chorus of clicks as Finch and the three other security guards in the room all drew their guns.
“Sit down,” I told him, the mirth gone from my voice.
“And listen carefully.” I looked around the room, making sure they were all paying attention.
“I am taking over my father’s role as the head of this family.
I am the sole possessor of the records my father kept.
I know infinitely more than any of you about the influence he wielded and the vision he had for us.
I am the one who built the relationships that ensure we are successful, and I can destroy each and every one of them if I wish.
If you doubt me, just ask Marcus. Am I lying? ”
Marcus paled further as everyone turned to look at him. His eyes darted around before they landed on me. He shook his head.
“Any other objections?” I asked, looking right at my grandfather. Despite the power and influence I had, if he wasn’t on board, I’d have to fight my family every step of the way. Not to mention watching my back excessively.
He pursed his lips but gave me a curt nod. “Very well, Laurel. Let’s see what you can do.”
I exchanged a victorious smile with Jewel, and caught the tail end of Rosalind’s smirk.
Valentino was still looking distinctly murderous, but he sat down in his seat and straightened his jacket. “Excellent. I’ll be arranging meetings this week, so I can—how did you put it? Help you all with this transition? Any questions?”