Alessio
Leif takes us to the closest meeting room, which is just as ornate as the rest of the building.
I'm the last to enter and close the door. My guests don't sit. They stand together facing me, waiting for answers.
"Well, start talking," Richard demands.
"Yes, I'm eager to find out how I have another brother I never knew about," Malik says, and Zakh nods.
"My mother was Fryeda Polinsky," I begin. "She and our father grew up together in Moscow. He was with her before your mother." I pause, glancing at Mira, who looks more ghostly than before. Leif told me everything about the past and never shied away from the possibility that Mira was at least aware Mom existed and was involved with my father. She didn't know about me, though. No one did. "They broke up when he was promised to Mira, but he didn't know she was pregnant with me. She didn't tell him until I was twelve. However, things didn't go as expected. She didn't know that my existence as his firstborn son threatened his business relationship with Mira's family. Or that he would order our deaths."
"What?" Mira sucks in a sharp breath, and her entire being trembles. "Evgeni did that?"
"Yes, he did." That's the truth I've had to live with. My father sent Uther to kill my mother and me. "My mother was killed, but I survived."
Mira's eyes grow larger. "I can't believe what I'm hearing."
"It is the truth." Mira's family business mines diamonds in three different countries, and the Scarfonis have a shipping company that practically owns the seas. It was a match made in heaven and the reason for their combined success today. Success my father wanted to protect, but I'll take all of it now. "Once your father died and signed over the remaining parts of his company to my father, losing the business was no longer a threat to my life."
Her father died two years ago. After that, Leif and I waited for the right moment to strike. We already knew of the plan for Richard to marry Camille so the Galitze family property development business could join the Scarfonis' already flourishing fortune. But Leif wanted me to get everything else. The door was opened with the news that my father's heart condition was terminal.
"How did you escape when you were a boy?" Mira asks, compassion filling her eyes.
"Leif saved me."
She looks at Leif in disbelief and shakes her head. "How could you keep this secret from us?"
"It was for his safety." Leif clenches his jaw. "And I vowed to avenge Fryeda's death. I grew up with her, too. All Evgeni cared about was his business. So much so that he was willing to kill a woman who loved him, and his own child. People who knew Fryeda and Alessio believed they died at their home in a fire. That's the story Evgeni went with all these long years. I took Alessio to Denmark to keep him safe. Then I waited for the right time to reveal the truth and see that he obtains his rightful place as heir to the Scarfoni legacy."
"And what about me?" Richard challenges.
"I'm sorry, my boy, but it is Alessio's birthright."
Richard's brows shoot up. "And today was the right time? My wedding day?"
"Marriage to Camille Galitze is part of the empire transfer." Leif's face softens. "And as you are aware, the ninety-day transition period under the Rites of Inheritance ended at midday today. That means your father is out of the picture now. So, yes, today was the right time. The bottom line is, it's time to choose a new leader. And I have."
"So, he gets everything?" Mira asks weakly. "My business included?"
"Yes, he does."
"This is an outrage," Richard spits. "You know it is."
"And you know there's not a goddam thing you can do about it." I take back the reins. People can talk and mouth off about shit, but they know the law of the land and, worst of all, the law of the Knights.
"You're taking absolutely everything?" Zakh clarifies, his dark eyes searching mine.
By everything, he means anything with the Scarfoni name. But it's not like my seizure will mean they'll be homeless-on-the-street poor. They were each given a sizable inheritance from Mira's father, and they'll receive another once our father passes. However, none of that comes close to what I'm taking.
"Yes, I am taking everything. But there are some things that will remain the same. I'll let you know what those are in due course." That will be things like their homes in some cases, and other assets.
God knows I would prefer to kick them all out and burn everything to the ground. I want them to suffer the way I did when Mom had to clean toilets and go through all kinds of shit to take care of me.
"What about the subordinate selection?" From the apprehensive look in Richard's eyes, I can tell that's what he's most worried about. They all are. My arrival means there's only one more position of power left.
As the soon-to-be Sovientrik, and under the unique circumstances of the Knights' law, I have the authority to choose the Obshchak, which is the third member of the Bratva elite. The man who holds that position is the chief financial officer of not only the Bratva but the Knights too.
Leif wants me to pick one of my brothers, and he also wants me to allow them to keep their jobs at Scarfoni Inc.
I'm not overly fond of that part of the plan, but I'm following Leif's advice.
A king has to wear his crown with honor and know how to protect his conquests. I'm not a fool, or vengeful enough to fuck up a billion-dollar business by thinking I can run things on my own and allow the empire to fall apart.
"You'll find out at the inauguration ceremony." That's in a months' time, so they will have to wait. I need time to think and figure out who's who in real life, not just from the records Leif has given me.
"This is complete madness." Richard steps forward and glances at my tattoo. He knows, just like Aleksander did, what it means, but he's showing he doesn't care.
"Well, it's happening, brother, whether you like it or not." I square my shoulders. "Now, if you don't mind, I have things to do."
On that note, I bow my head, give them a victorious smile, then Leif and I walk out, leaving them to stew in the pile of shit I just launched them into.
I can imagine what they'll be talking about now, and how they'll probably want to keep the truth about my father under wraps. Mira in particular won't want to destroy my father's highly-esteemed reputation in the Knights. Or hers. Even though no punishment will be issued because of who my father is, what he did to Mom and me is despicable and disgraceful even by the Knights standards.
AlessioWhen we reach the end of the corridor, I stop when my name is called. It's Uther.He rushes up to me, out of breath. His face is red, and his eyes are filled with panic."This can't work. You can't take my daughter. She's an innocent in this." He shakes his graying head, contorting his face so his scar becomes more pronounced. "There must be something else I can do."I give him a radiant smile, enjoying his trepidation the way he enjoyed mine when he tried to kill me. "Uther Galitze, you know there's nothing else you can do. You also know what will happen if you try."This motherfucker knows my threats aren't empty, nor are they something to be trifled with. I've already taken Camille and his business through the marriage contract. I will also be relieving him of his senior position in the Bratva. Meaning the fucker will lose everything. I would have loved to kick him out completely, but I didn't want to raise any red flags.He knows if I unleash all the serious dirt I have on
CamilleResting my head against the satin wall, I stare at the sea in the distance through the long casement windows. I'd think the intricate carvings in the wood were beautifully designed if I weren't trapped behind them like a bird in a cage.My mother believed patience was the most powerful of virtues.I always agreed. But there are some situations where not even the highest level of patience can help you.Mine is without a doubt one of them.Two hours ago, I arrived at the massive compound of Alessio Scarfoni's mansion on Cape Cod. The house is one of the old-style Tudor homes you'd normally find in Salem, but his is ostentatious and has a haunted vibe.The idea of being in a haunted mansion is creepy enough, but I feel like I'm trapped in one of my nightmares.When I arrived, a rude-looking woman with silver hair and an upturned nose met us on the driveway. Then, without a word, she escorted me to this huge master bedroom I knew straightaway belonged to a man. It's the décor. Dar
CamilleHe walks in, and the door swings shut, the sound of the click lingering like a reminder that I don't know who I'm dealing with.The biker jacket is gone, but he still has the same drifter look, enhanced by the expanse of muscle on his arms, which I can clearly see now, bulging against his fitted T-shirt.My eyes flick to the clothes folded in his hands. I spot a gray T-shirt and something stretchy like yoga pants. I assume those are for me, and my stomach drops.The beginning of a smile tips his full, sensual lips, revealing dimples that make his already handsome face more striking. I stare back at him, trying to figure him out, but I can't. His personality seems to have several things going on, and I'm not sure what part of him I'm going to get.From the predatory vibe emanating from him, I know to stay focused because despite everything, he's dangerous. All the Scarfonis are, but this one is the one to watch.Especially with that rune on his wrist.The only time I've ever se
Panic writhes through me as I realize how much danger I'm truly in, but I still can't think past the terror. All I want to do is get out of here and away from him."I'm not yours." I try to imbue my voice with the strength I summoned before, but it's evident I'm scared."Say whatever you want. Truth is truth. Now change out of that dress and come downstairs for something to eat."I shake my head. "No. I don't want anything from you. I want to go home.""This is your home now.""Fuck you!" I shove at his granite chest, hurting my wrists.He laughs, mocking me again. "Fuck me? Is that a request, Valkyrie?"The pet names—princess, baby girl, and Valkyrie—just enrage me."You fucking bastard. You know it's not a damn request. Let me go.""I said no, and this is the last time I'm going to tell you to take off the dress.""Fuck. You."I don't even get to entertain my next thought. Alessio shoves me hard against the wall, grabs the top of my dress, and tears it right off me like a bodice-rip
CamilleI stare back at him, feeling the weight of my world crumbling all around me. I know there’s nothing I can do to fix it, but I need to know why this is happening.I need to know what Dad did.“What power do you have over my father to do this to us?”“Enough to bury him.” He uses the same icy tone as before. A steel weight drops in my soul, pulling me under. “I have enough for the Knights’ Council to force him to his knees and execute him. And everyone in his family. Starting with you. One word from me, and that’s it—death.”My heart stops like someone switched off all the power. When it starts beating again, it’s pounding faster and faster and faster, and my brain is paralyzed with terror.Dad, what the hell did you do?Execution?For all of us?Him first? No. I can’t lose my father.I can’t.Not that way. Or anyway.“No. Please. Don’t let them kill him.” I’m begging with my heart and soul because this is so much worse than I thought. “Please. I’m sure he’s sorry for whatever h
Alessio.By the gods, Camille Galitze is fucking beautiful.I don’t know how the fuck I’m standing over her perfect naked body with her tits looking as ripe as they do and managing to restrain myself.Me.Me, whose primary hobby includes fucking, is bridling the beast inside that wants to ravage her body.It would be so easy to bend her over the desk and fuck her senseless now that I have her all to myself. We’re not in a room full of people, and she’s not holding Richard’s hand.It’s only us within the four walls of my bedroom and the savage force of wild attraction rippling between us.But business first, then fucking when I see fit. Right now, I’ll settle for my fascination with our attraction, and her fire, which extinguishes as she processes the fact that I have her father under my thumb and she will be my wife in five weeks.“You’re serious about marrying me?” Her voice is weaker now.I’ve watched her go from strong to weak in a matter of minutes. The transition has been fascinat
Alessio“We did it,” Jayce states.“We did.” I smile, bumping my fist with his.“Shouldn’t we be having champagne?” Gytha asks, raising one perfectly arched brow. “Or something along those lines?”“We will.” I meet her serpentine eyes, which are fixed on me with wild seduction. This is one of those times when we’d usually end up in bed, or anywhere we could get lost in each other, to destress. “For now, how about you each get those bonuses I promised?”“Fuck, yeah,” Zane replies, pumping his fist once in the air then snapping his fingers. “And that’s why I fucking love working for you.”I’d like working for me, too, if I added a bonus of ten G onto an already high five-figure monthly salary.Given my poor upbringing, sometimes it feels unbelievable that I’m able to do this. Me at twenty-eight years old being in charge of what I’ve already been doing without the Scarfoni fortune.“Don’t go wild just yet. The job is still ongoing.” That’s why I’ve summoned them here for a brief check-in
AlessioThe beeping sounds of machines fill my ears as I walk into my father’s hospital room.Not that I wanted to come before, but I might not have gotten past his guards at the door. Now that they’re mine, I have free rein of where I go and when I do it.Dim lights create a heavenly glow in the room. I make my way to the bed in the center of the room, where my father lies motionless.I stop at the edge of the bed and stare at him, finding myself fixated on his face. This is our first meeting. Him being kept alive by machines, unable to see me, and me full of vengeance.Earlier, I noted how similar my brothers and I look. But seeing my father now throws me off balance.I look just like him. Like a clone. Like his younger self. I’ve seen pictures of him, so I should have been prepared. But I’m not.Mom told me who my real father was only days before she died. Prior to that, I didn’t know. I even had her surname. I suspected Leif was my father because he was always in my life. I’d neve