Chapter 40 Royal #2
“I’m calling to let you know an SUV is on it’s way out for you.
Send me your location so I can update their directions.
Your time with the Cavanaghs is over. Dad brokered a deal.
You’re to be married to Steffano Bianchi.
” Berto informs her, like it’s just a casual phone call and not a life-changing event.
“Get your shit together, you’ve got to pack for Italy. ”
Steffano Bianchi is a trash human. He used to broker arms through us for his guards at their mining operations, but when we found out he wasn’t just protecting the mines with those guns, we cut off his supply.
There are hundreds of pages of reasons not to work with the guy.
But most pertinent at the moment is that Leticia would be the third Mrs. Steffano Bianchi.
Antonella must hear Berto, too, because she taps Kerrianne’s leg, and Kerrianne scrambles out of the way, coming over to sit with Valor.
When Antonella holds her hand out, Leticia hesitantly gives her the phone.
Antonella’s voice is glacial as she rumbles, “Berto. You did not just say that.”
Leticia has gone ghost white. She leans forward and sets her mug on the table.
“That’s the second most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said.” Antonella is on the verge of growling.
I set my cup down and move toward her. Placing a hand on either arm, I try to steady her, demonstrating breathing. With new wolves being as volatile as they are, the last thing we need is her shifting in the living room on a phone call.
Antonella follows my lead, taking a few steadying breaths, and the growl fades out of her voice. “I’m not letting that happen.” She hangs up, raising her gaze to Leticia before repeating herself. “Leticia. I’m not letting that happen.”
Threat of Antonella going rogue dissipated, I move away from Antonella, putting myself closer to Leticia.
The problem now is that Leticia’s dropped the act.
She’s no longer putting on a show by pretending to hate me.
Her eyes are full to the brim with dread, and the lack of fire in her threatens to snuff out some of my own.
“Don’t be silly.” Leticia gives the most pained smile I’ve ever witnessed as she takes her phone back. “Look how well it worked out for you. Aside from, like, maybe the last week, arranged marriage can work quite well. It’s time anyway. I shouldn’t be putting it off.”
“I’ll figure you a way out of this.” Antonella shakes her head.
“You’ve got enough on your plate. I know the man Berto is talking about. I’ll keep his house in order and dinner warm and on the table. Nothing I don’t do now,” Leticia says and returns her attention to her phone, probably doing as Berto asked and sending him her location.
But it’s all false bravado; she’s terrified, and the acidic scent of fear is wafting off her.
We’re all silent — Kerrianne hugging Valor, Antonella and Leticia having a silent conversation, and me trying to calculate all the ways I can make Steffano Bianchi disappear.
Don’t forget poison, acid bath, and that one mercenary who feeds his victims to bears. My wolf is so very helpful.
But Leticia doesn’t let us dwell on it. “Sorry for the interruption. Now, where were we? Talking about putting a Christmas tree up in here? With such high ceilings, surely we could get one at least a respectable height. Maybe ten feet?”
“Better go twelve with these ceilings.” I look up, playing into her massive change of topic.
It’ll be better if we wait until after they’re married to kill him. I can’t believe I’m thinking that thought.
After the wedding but before the consummation is a tricky timeline. You can’t let someone else touch our mate. My wolf offers a solid consideration.
Tabulations run in the background of my thoughts.
Kerrianne dismisses herself upstairs to play, and the four of us sit in awkward conversations that would be better off as uncomfortable silences. But it’s not long before Valor’s phone buzzes.
“Leticia, there’s an SUV at the front gate for you.” Valor glares at his phone.
Logically, I know what he’s going to do is right; he’s going to send her home.
She’ll be safe in D’Medici territory because of the deal. Leticia is even more valuable to them now than she was before. No one is going to be able to lay a finger on her.
But that doesn’t mean I like it.
“I’ll be going.” Leticia stands and steps over to Antonella.
They say their goodbyes, and Leticia heads to the front door.
But I can’t make myself say goodbye in front of Valor and Antonella. I know I haven’t been the best at pretending we’re not in love with each other. I’ve already confessed, in part, to Valor anyway.
The door closes behind Leticia, and Valor looks at me with that flat, dead-eyed look, the killer look.
I nod, knowing there are a lot of things Valor could say but won’t.
Standing, I gesture the way she went. “I shouldn’t let her stand out there alone. It’ll look bad to their security.”
“Good call.” Valor dismisses me.
Would he agree if he knew what lightning-strike idea has taken over me? Maybe not . . . But it doesn’t matter.
I only have a few minutes to explain my plan.
This is the only place where we’ll be truly alone.
Well . . . after I edit the security camera footage covering this portion of Valor’s driveway.