Chapter 47 THIEF OF FUTUṚES
February twenty-eighth.
I’m locked down tighter than Fort Knox on my thirty-fifth birthday. Other than a basket of cookies from my Aria and Scarlett, who were understandably freaked out when security patted them down at the door, I haven’t gone out or received visitors.
I did get on a call with my girlfriends and sisters in New York, where they updated me on things at Fleur, how their new head of PR wasn’t nearly as good at her job as me.
They mentioned flying here to visit and to help Rex, who begrudgingly stepped in to do some PR work, including the press junket with Chicago Memorial.
I told them I wasn’t in the city most of the time, but I’d booked a flight back to New York in the summer after my exotic trip to Antarctica.
Frankly, I think my cover was blown a long time ago, but Maxwell and Rex must’ve said something because the girls didn’t push me on it.
And then there’s the motley crew downstairs.
Sofia, Elias’s steel-spined sister, dressed in all black, picked at her red-manicured nails while watching the news.
Aleksei, buzz-cut and wild-grinned, promised me he had me covered with his mad hacking skills.
Another suit in a silver mask, Sebastian, known as the psychopath, sat at the dining table, aloof and cold, but there was a flicker of interest when I caught him staring earlier.
Ren said I should ignore him.
Even the priest who married us joined a video call with Elias. Rafe—that’s his name.
Elias’s family. The Antihero Syndicate.
After the attempt on our lives a little over a month ago, Elias spent most of his time in the house with me.
He tried to distract me with romantic overtures like candlelight dinners in the backyard with him as the chef, or looking at the stars in my indoor garden until I fall asleep.
There was sex, lots of mind-blowing sex, and exotic chocolates imported from all over the world.
He assured me we were safe inside his fortress, that I had nothing to worry about. But based on the hushed calls in his office—one time I even heard him yelling at the Berishas—the danger was far from over.
Worst yet, I don’t think he knows who’s behind it.
Now, Maxwell and Rex stare at me through the computer screen as I hold up a folded sheet of paper.
Mom’s letter—a photocopy Elias made before he gave the original to the Berishas.
“No more secrets,” he murmured this morning in bed. “Happy birthday, my Elise.”
I pull in a deep breath, my fingers shaking.
“You don’t need to read it,” Maxwell says. “It doesn’t matter what’s inside. Your safety’s most important.”
“But fuck it. That’s why she needs to read it,” Rex mutters. “Don’t you want to know what Mom’s hiding and why those freaks want her?”
Part of me is afraid to find out—afraid it’ll ruin the image of Mom I have in my head.
After all, she has something The Association desperately wants, and no one involved with them is ever good.
“No. I’m not running from the truth.”
Mind made up, I unfold the paper, the brittle page crinkling under my fingers.
My Dearest Lana,
My darling daughter, happy thirty-fifth birthday.
I hope you never have to read this letter. Because if you do, it means I’m no longer there, and that breaks my heart because I love you so much.
But know this: I’m watching over you from above, and you and your brothers are my pride and joy.
I have no regrets other than not being there by your side.
Tears blur the looping script. My fingers trace her words.
Sometime today, you’ll get a delivery, and it’s important you don’t tell anyone about it.
As you probably know by now, the world is a dark place. Those with old money and power will do anything to keep themselves on top.
I expect you know about The Association. I’m sure they haven’t left our family alone.
You see, the original intent when your grandfather and his friends started it wasn’t to take over the world.
I gasp, my hand flying to my chest.
The original sixth family. That was us?
“What?” Rex asks. “What is it, Lana?”
I hold up a finger and keep reading.
It was a beautiful vision—combining our wealth to make the world a better place. No more wars, no more starvation, pooling our funds for medical research.
But your grandfather told me things went horribly wrong. An argument broke out among friends, and one of them was killed.
Your grandfather was a witness. He had photos, letters, and incriminating evidence showing it was all premeditated.
Five families against one.
He withdrew, disappeared from the spotlight, but he kept the evidence.
Just in case. Insurance to protect us.
It was his biggest regret not stopping The Association before they grew too powerful. When I turned thirty-five, he entrusted that evidence to me.
Leverage to ensure our family remains safe.
And with regret, I do the same to you. Your brothers will be in the spotlight—they always underestimate the women in our world. My hope is you’ll never have to use this evidence, only to keep it in your back pocket should our family be threatened.
I’m sorry I can’t explain more. I’m sure it’s shocking and terrifying.
But my Lana, from your first cry, your little fists punching the air, I knew you were the strongest of my children. You can bear the burden.
I love you forever and ever.
Mom
My mind reels. My eyes unfocused, I flip the letter to the camera so my brothers can read Mom’s words.
I’ve always wondered why The Association stopped short of killing us when my brothers defied them in the past. It isn’t their MO to let their opponents live.
And now I know why.
“Fuck,” Rex mutters.
“That’s it. We’re pulling you out. I’m sending a security team for extraction,” Maxwell says, already typing. “You’re a sitting duck. They’ll never let you live after they get the evidence. Them not getting it—or you—is our only shot.”
“I’ll call the others in,” Rex adds, eyes flashing. “Can’t keep them in the dark anymore.” He fishes out his phone—
“No!” I shoot to my feet. The stool crashes to the floor with a loud thud.
“Lana!” Elias bursts through the door, eyes wild, gun drawn, Ren fast at his heels.
“I’m fine.” I close my eyes and blow out an exhale.
His cologne wraps around me, followed by his heat at my back.
I sink into his embrace as his arms circle my waist and he presses a kiss on my hair.
When I glance back at the screen, Maxwell and Rex are frozen, staring in obvious shock.
“I’m staying,” I say, my vision blurring. “I’m not leaving my husband.”
Maxwell’s mouth drops open. If it were any other situation, I’d laugh at my straitlaced brother rendered speechless.
“I love him,” I whisper.
Elias tightens his arms and murmurs, “My zemer.”
He tells my brothers, “I’ll die before I let anything happen to Lana.”
Silence.
My brothers cock their heads in near-identical expressions. I can see them working through various scenarios to arrive at how Elias won me over.
Because the man we knew for so long would never betray us, despite what happened at the vault.
Then Rex whistles and throws his head back, laughing. “Elias motherfucking Kent. I should’ve known. You love my sister. All that forced-marriage crap and the damn heist were bullshit. I knew it.”
“I survived,” Maxwell says quietly, understanding clear in his eyes. “Wouldn’t have if you didn’t want me to.”
Elias freezes behind me. Then, a small nod.
Air rushes out of my lungs. The truth I suspected all along lands heavy, but merciful.
Elias was never our enemy.
“I’m sorry,” he rasps.
Maxwell waves him off. “All I care about is what we’re going to do about the situation.”
“We need to lure them out.” Elias straightens. “Get the evidence before they claim it.”
“How do we do that?” I ask as he faces me.
He cups my face, gaze soft, thumb trailing my cheek. “A decoy.”