Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“Really? Why not?”
“It’s complicated. Things with Christopher, and how they were involved, and I just—” I pause and clear my throat. “I’m just saying, I know how family stuff can be draining, I just wish I understood how it all connected back to Evander not wearing my ring.”
She smiles sadly and adjusts her hair. “Evander is uncomfortable with all things symbolic, and what’s more symbolic than a ring? He can’t open himself up to anyone, does it really surprise you that he can’t wear a visible symbol of your relationship?”
“I wish he wouldn’t make everything so damn complicated. It’s just a stupid wedding ring, everyone married wears one.”
“You shouldn’t have married Evander Kazan if you wanted simple.” Helen laughs and stands. “Let me guess. He’s forcing you to wear your rings, but refuses to wear his?”
“Exactly.”
She helps me up and hold onto my arm as we stroll along the property beside the lake. “That’s my brother for you. Rules apply to everyone but him.”
“I just want to feel normal, that’s all. After what happened yesterday—”
Helen’s expression clouds. “That was shameful. I heard, everyone in the family heard.”
“It’s okay, really, it’s fine. We knew it might happen.”
“But someone from within our organization? It’s not right. Anissa and Sophia went too far.”
I frown and think back to Christopher in the car. “I’m not sure it was them though.”
“How can you be sure?” She shakes her head. “My aunt and my cousin have been out for blood for years now. You’re just the latest convenient excuse.”
“I really didn’t want to cause trouble.”
“If it wasn’t you, it would’ve been someone else.” She pats my wrist. “Don’t let it bother you. This is just how things are.”
I wish it could be otherwise, but I know she’s right.
Evander’s been warning me from the start that joining this family wouldn’t easy—and now I can see that he wasn’t making it up.
Chapter 36
Evander
Three men kneel before me.
All of them have their hand bound behind their backs. Each is bleeding from multiple wounds. Broken noses, cracked skulls. Lycus has a gun pressed to the first man’s head, a tall Greek gentleman in his late fifties, getting heavy with age and wrinkled from a hard life.
“You all know why you are here.” I pace in front of them, watching their reactions. Above us, the recording studio is quiet. Nobody would dare work while beneath them, men died.
“Yes, Evander. I know why we are here.” Zale speaks for the others. The old captain dares raise his chin to look me in the eye.
Lycus brings his gun down hard, smacking him in the skull. Zale grunts and hunches forward, groaning.
I watch the pathetic display and feel nothing but pity.
“Why did you do it?” I ask him.
He’s quiet for a moment. The old Greek man is in considerable pain, and he knows he’s about to die, but there’s still a dignity to him. I respect that—better to die like a man than to face the end like a child, like that blubbering, pathetic Hector.
“I did it for the family,” Zale says after a long pause. “I respect the Kazan family too much to sit idly by and watch a common usurper—”
“I am the rightful lord of this family,” I snarl at him. “I took that right by conquest. What better reason could there be?”
Zale shakes his head slowly. “The day we accept blood as payment for power is the day we descend into anarchy.”
“Strength is all that matters.” I loom over the dying old man like a thundercloud. “Tell me why you betrayed your lord.”
“You’re marrying an Italian girl. The ex-wife of our enemy. I wanted to stop you before you made the biggest mistake of your life, Evander. But I can see that it’s too late.” He sighs, shaking his head. “If it helps at all, I never meant to hurt her. I only ordered Hector to hand her back to the Italians, so she can return to where she belongs.”
“That was not your choice to make.” I stare at the man for a long moment.
How many more think like he does? How many more captains are willing to throw away their lives in some meaningless quest to keep me from marrying an Italian? But it’s too late now—the paperwork is signed, and as far as everyone knows, it’s official.
Camille is my wife. She is mine, and I will not be questioned by my inferiors.
“I only hope that you put the family first,” Zale says with real emotion in his voice. “Always put it first, Evander, no matter what.”
“Last words,” I say and hold my hand out. Lycus passes me the gun. I will do this myself.
“I loved my family. I loved my lord. I did what I did for Kazan strength, and I will go to my death knowing I never betrayed you.”