Chapter 36
ROSE
Iam already loving my new life and my new husband, but there is still something missing. Two, actually, and I can’t stop worrying about my sisters.
Over breakfast, I raise the subject even though Julius appears to be brooding about something.
“Have you heard anything regarding my sisters?”
I’m anxious, and it must show because his gaze softens, and he reaches for my hand.
“I’m sorry, no. That doesn’t mean its bad news though.”
“Why?”
“Because we agreed on radio silence until you were all safe.”
“So they’re not, safe, I mean.”
He shrugs, “If I know my brothers, they will be.”
“Your brothers?” I raise my eyes because this is news, and Julius nods, a slight guilty gleam in his eye.
“I told you I have three brothers. Nico runs Viper Holdings, our business empire. He is not involved in this. Simeon is my older brother and runs the entertainment side of our business. I believe he is escorting one of your sisters, and my younger brother, Joseph is responsible for the other.”
“What does he do?”
I’m curious and wait for answers.
“He runs our international operation and is currently stationed in London, England.”
My heart leaps. “That’s where Tiffany was going. He must be providing work for her.”
Julius says nothing, but from the expression in his eye, I’m not thinking straight. Then it dawns on me, and sickness replaces interest.
“They aren’t providing work, are they, Julius, any more than you were?”
My heart goes into free fall as I face the reality of our situation.
I glare at him as I see everything clearly.
“Three sisters, three brothers and one immeasurable fortune. Congratulations, Julius, you must be happy to have succeeded in your part of the mission.”
The words taste bitter, and Julius narrows his eyes, his hold tightening on my hand as he hisses, “I have been honest with you, Rose, and don’t appreciate your tone.
I freely admitted that was the plan, and then I met you, and the plan took on a whole new meaning.
Yes, it’s true that my brothers are on a similar path, and who knows how it will turn out for them, but know this and remember it well, I married you because I wanted to, and it wasn’t because of your fortune. ”
He waves his hand around the room we are sitting in. “Does this look as if I need the money? Do you really believe your fortune is going to change anything in my life?”
“Then why?” I am pressing for answers because I don’t like the questions, and it’s obvious he is thinking along the same lines.
“Because it’s what we do.” He huffs, a pulse ticking in his jaw as he struggles to maintain his cool.
It’s only when he’s angry that I understand who he truly is. Julius isn’t a decent man on the outside, but he is hiding a good heart, which reassures me when he reveals his darker side.
“Because I am my father’s son, and he expects complicity.”
“Tell me about him.”
I’ve spoken about my family, but I know little of his.
“He’s a bastard.”
I raise my eyes as he sneers. “Our upbringing was brutal and a hard lesson. Because of him and his way of teaching us how to hold on to our dynasty. The only love and kindness came from our mom, and yet she was just as hard as he was when it came to the business. You see, Rose, like your father, mine was—is—never happy. He enjoys his wealth with one eye on the horizon for more. When he learned of your inheritance, he saw a way to secure it for our family. Not because we needed the money but because of the power it gives us.”
“Power, I don’t understand.”
“Power is the driving force for every decision we make, not money. That comes with it, and if we relinquish that power to one of our enemies, it places us in a vulnerable position. Business is brutal, and my father has studied it well, and so nobody would blame him for doing what he deems best for the family.”
“At the expense of his son’s happiness.”
I don’t say that to judge, merely to commiserate because now I understand.
“If you consider I’m not happy with how things have worked out, then I must do a better job of convincing you.”
His smile softens, and my heart flutters as it always does when he looks into my eyes with his smoldering gaze.
“I believe you, Julius.”
My smile is weak, but my heart is beating faster because of him and how alive he makes me feel.
“I’m still allowed to be worried about my sisters, though. What if?–”
He holds up his hand.
“There are no what-ifs when it comes to my family, Rose. If anything had gone wrong, I wouldn’t be sitting here now.”
“How can you be sure of that? You said yourself there has been no communication.”
“Exactly, which is why I know because I would have gotten the call to act for the good of the family.”
He squeezes my hand more, for reassurance than anything else. “Trust in the process, baby; it’s all we can do.”
He appears worried as his frown deepens and he adds, “However, there is something you can help us with.”
“Anything.”
I really mean that because he has worked so hard to keep me safe, and I want to do my bit, especially if it helps my sisters.
“It involves your stepmother.”
My pulse races, but my heart hardens.
“What about her?”
“She wants to meet you. She’s in Washington.”
I wasn’t expecting that and the blood must drain from my face because he says with concern, “You’re not going to faint are you because the only remedy I can think of is to throw a bucket of cold water over you and I would hate to ruin that pretty dress.”
He makes me chuckle, then again he always has the ability to lift my mood, and I sigh, pulling my hand away as I reach for the coffee.
As I pour us both a mugful, I groan. “I wonder what she wants.”
“We don’t know but you would be perfectly safe and it may help us protect you and your sisters.”
“Tell me what I must do.”
I’m already resigned to that, and he nods, a thoughtful gleam sparking in his eyes.
“My mother will be with you at Morgan’s request.”
“Your mother?”
I’m shocked, and Julius smiles reassuringly. “She’s a sweetheart, but don’t be fooled by her exterior. She will be packing more than just a respectful smile that day, and if you are in any danger, she won’t hesitate to protect you both.”
“Seriously.” I gasp, and Julius throws his head back and laughs.
“I love how innocent you are, and if I had one wish, it would be that you never change; however–”
His smile dulls. “This life will corrupt your soul along with the rest of us, no matter how hard I try to shield you from that.”
“I am stronger than I look, Julius.”
My tone is fierce, and he sighs heavily, leaning back in his seat and huffs, “I don’t want you to be tough. I want to be tough for both of us and keep your soul pure to cleanse mine.”
“Idiot.”
I brush his comment aside. “Anyone would fight for those they love, and if your mother is fierce, it’s done out of love, so what’s wrong with that?”
He stares at me for the longest moment, and as our gazes collide, we reach an understanding.
Julius may wish for me to be the dependent, meek woman, but if that is what he seeks, he is staring at the wrong one.
I will fight for my right to freedom, and that involves making choices that affect me and the people I love.
Julius may be my husband, but he is not the master of me, and he would be wise to understand that sooner rather than later.