3. Chapter 2
Tucker
“You need to put a leash on your daughter.” As soon as I’d heard my dad walk through the door, I’d barged into his office, ready to make him get Leyla in check.
I would be gray before I turned twenty if someone didn’t do something about that girl.
“She’s upstairs plotting murder, and I can’t even say that it’s a joke, because she pulled Ari into it and you know Ari has the connections to follow through. ”
That got his attention. “Who are they plotting to kill?”
“Bradley.” Dad ran his tongue across his top teeth as he thought for a moment. I knew he liked the guy about as much as I did, which was not at all, but still. “You can’t seriously be thinking about letting them go through with this.”
His eyes snapped back to mine. “Of course not. That would be bad for business. Bradley’s father is the owner of the largest media conglomerate in the world. If my daughter had his son and heir murdered, he’d be quick to use his resources to ruin our business.”
“So you wouldn’t allow it simply because it’s bad for business, not because murder is wrong?” He had to be joking, right?
Dad sighed and ran a hand through his hair and for the first time, I could see how much stress he was under.
“I don’t condone killing for no reason. But that statement has taken on a new meaning over the past twenty years.
When I was your age, I would have been appalled by the issue.
I would have said, then, if he’s a bad boyfriend, break up with him.
Call the cops if things don’t get better.
But what happened with Sterling nine years ago changed my perspective on that. ”
My aunt Sterling had gone through some horrific things at the hands of the man her father wanted her to marry. “Bradley isn’t like Caspian. He’s just an asshole.”
“That’s all Spencer thought Caspian was, until he wasn’t. But I do agree that killing him isn’t the answer. I just don’t know what is. She keeps going back to him.”
I scoffed. “You need to arrange a marriage for her so that she can’t keep going back to him. Alessandro isn’t a terrible guy. He’s nothing like Lucian. He’d probably treat her well, and that could only make our family alliance stronger.”
“Son, there are so many things wrong with that statement. One, your situation aside, I’d never force my kids to marry someone they’re not in love with.
Two, even if Alessandro isn’t like Lucian, he’s still under his fathers control.
If she married him, she’d have to live under Lucian’s roof, following his rules.
That’s not something I would wish on my worst enemy. ”
I sighed and slumped back in my chair, knowing he was right. “So what do we do about Bradley?”
My father shrugged and turned back to his computer. “First, we make sure they don’t actually order a hit. Then, we just let it play out and hope she eventually comes to her senses.”
“I guess that step one falls on me?”
Dad shook his head. “Nope. I just notified Michael and he’s on it.”
Thank God because I knew there was no way I could get either one of those girls to do what I wanted without someone’s blood being shed. Since I wouldn’t lay a hand on either one of them, it would be mine.
“Please welcome to the stage, your valedictorian, Tucker Givenchy.”
I couldn’t help the smile that crossed my lips as I took the stage. It didn’t hurt that Royce was sulking over being salutatorian. I’d managed to ace all of my exams while he bombed two of his. That was all the difference it took for me to come in first and him to be first loser.
“Welcome graduates and families to the commencement ceremony for Crestwood Preparatory Academy. I’m truly honored to be able to speak to you all today as your valedictorian.
” I’d been preparing ideas for this speech for years, and when the announcement was finally made the evening of the last day of finals, my speech came together in an instant.
I took a moment to thank our support systems at home, knowing that most speeches did that so that our parents didn’t feel left out.
Then, I talked about memories we’d all leave here with, like the time that Mr. Johnson’s chemistry class mixed the wrong chemicals and we had to leave the school half a day early so the building could air out. That got a good chuckle.
“When we leave this field today, we’ll no longer be students of Crestwood Prep, but instead alumni, and I’m not gonna lie, that’s a scary thought.
It’s scary to move on with our lives, and sad to leave all the friendships we’ve made here and become responsible citizens of the world, but C.
S. Lewis said it best. There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind. Thank you.”
The crowd rose to their feet as they applauded, but even with the massive amount of people present, my eyes locked onto my family. My father gave me a nod, telling me in that gesture that he was proud of me. My mom wiped a tear from her eye. Ari blew me a kiss. Leyla rolled her eyes and yawned.
As long as it felt out there on the field, listening to people talk, it really did fly by and before I knew it, my name was being called and I walked across that stage to get my diploma.
Walking back to my seat, I knew I needed to talk to Apollo again so we could iron out a fool proof plan for making sure Ari didn’t get pregnant before she graduated. I wanted her to at least be able to get her high school diploma and experience this moment.
As soon as the ceremony was over, my entire family descended on the field. It was sometimes a little overwhelming when they were all there, but I wouldn’t trade the chaos of my family for anything.
“I am so proud of you, Tuck.” Grandma squeezed my shoulders and pulled on them so I’d duck down a little and she could kiss my cheek.
“You make the Givenchy name proud, son.” Grandpa shook my hand, but then laughed and pulled me into a hug. He was a hugger, even if it wasn’t seen as socially acceptable for men to be so affectionate in our world.
“More like makes the rest of us look bad.” Potter stage whispered to Leyla loud enough that we could all hear.
Uncle Atlas popped him on the back of the head, but couldn’t contain his smile. He’d said the same thing about my dad, I’m sure.
Karly, my youngest sister who was about to be a freshman, and Damon, the baby of the family that was just going into middle school, both came up to give me hugs. “I want to be just like you when I grow up.”
It melted my heart to know that my baby brother felt that way. I just hoped he’d still feel that way when he was old enough to understand what being the heir to the Givenchy’s and marrying into the Vitale’s meant.
We took pictures for what felt like forever, before we were able to leave and head to my grandparents house. They always hosted the big events, and their first grandchild graduating high school was just that.
They definitely pulled out all the stops for this one too, grilling steaks, ribs, lobster, and shrimp, with baked potatoes, vegetable skewers, salad, and my grandma’s famous homemade rolls.
“I’m glad you graduated because this feast is much needed.” Potter sat down next to me at the table on the back patio. “Track season sucks ass.”
While I wasn’t sure Potter actually followed the recommended diet given to the track team, he sure did complain about it an awful lot.
“You starting a bulk?” Most people bulked in the winter when their clothes would hide it and cut in the spring and summer, but Pott did what he wanted, when he wanted. Honestly, with as much time as he spent behind his computer, I was surprised he worked out or played a sport at all.
“Sure. That’s what we’ll call it.” He winked at me, just as Apollo sat down across from us.
“Boys.” He eyed Potter’s plate then chuckled before turning his attention to me. “I’d like us to talk a little tonight to get on the same page before leaving in the morning. Also, the influx of security should be arriving in a couple of hours and we need to brief them.”
This week off after school before going to New York had gone by way too fast. My suitcases were packed and ready to be loaded in the vehicles, and way earlier than I’d like to tomorrow, we’d roll out.
“Yeah, I have some things I’m wanting to discuss.” He raised an eyebrow at me, but I just shook my head, telling him I wouldn’t discuss it here.
My dad, Uncle Atlas, Uncle Apollo, Uncle Percy, and I had talks about my future frequently, but we’d all decided to keep the rest of the family out of it.
I mean, they knew that I was going to marry Ari.
They knew who her father was. And they knew that I’d have to spend some time in his home this summer making connections and strengthening my bond with Sandro.
They didn’t know that the time I would be spending there would be spent being initiated into his family. My dad and uncles still didn’t think the initiation made sense, but they hadn’t been able to find a way around it when the contract was being negotiated, so there was no getting out of it.
Potter grunted. “Dude, you’re so lucky. No more high school bullshit, spending the summer in New York, and marrying a hottie in a couple of months. Then, you get to move into a place of your own.”
Uncle Atlas sat down beside Apollo at that moment and decided to chime in.
“I’d counter to say that you’re the lucky one, still getting to live at home, rent free, getting to choose who you marry instead of your marriage being arranged, and getting to decide what you want to do with your future instead of being expected to be the family’s heir. ”
Potter rolled his eyes. “We all know that I’m going to be his right hand man, just like you are for Uncle Zeph.”
“If that’s the path you choose. But we’ve said it time and time again, Pott.” His eyes found mine as I spoke. “You get to decide what you want to do. You’re not going to be forced to work for the family.”