this?” Prophet asks between gulps from a mug of coffee.
I set down my pen. “Family tree and my thoughts about them.”
“Want to give me the run down?”
I nod. “My aunt Giada.” I tap my finger on her name. “Sweetest woman you could ever know. But don’t let her heart fool you. She’s strong, shrewd, and carries a lot of power of her own. She played princess to my father’s prince for a long while when Papa ruled. They know and trust her in the old families. She has two sons, Omar and Nicolas, and a daughter, Julia. They were always more interested in money and bling than the family. That might’ve changed, but I’m willing to bet they are lackeys. It’s the only reason Uncle Lorenzo would allow them to remain intact. He says jump and they ask how high, or he starts to make plans to clean house. Lorenzo has always been a hot head with a penchant for blood lust. He doesn’t ask twice, forgive, or do things peaceably.”
“He keeps his kingdom intact by filling everyone with the fear of God,” Prophet replies.
“Exactly.”
“And him?” He taps Christian’s name.
I roll my eyes. “Complete playboy. Babied his entire life, he always goes with the flow. He was my favorite uncle growing up.” I shake my head.
“Why did they let this happen?” he asks.
“I doubt they knew. Lorenzo waited until my father settled into his rule, then swept in and took out anyone he thought would protest.”
“Like who?”
It’s an honest question. The pain it causes rips open old wounds. My heart lurches. “My Papa’s brothers, and their sons and daughter. They were old school and willing to battle to the bitter end. When everyone saw they brought down the untouchables, I’m pretty sure all thoughts of protests died and they all rolled over.” I shake my head.
I can’t blame them. Maybe if we hadn’t been on the receiving end of the axe, I would’ve done the same.
“How can you know who’ll go for your pitch?”
“I can’t.” I shake my head. “I’m going with my gut.”
“That serve you well in the past?”
I want to slap the smart-ass expression off his face. “You don’t have to like me, but you will respect me. I can’t risk going in there with you and looking weak. They’ll go for the jugular. I know Dallas has arranged for us to have men from the chapter here in Philly, but right now it’s just you and me.”
“Aye, aye, captain.” He salutes. “Mind telling me what your pitch is?”
“A man like my uncle is messy and abrasive. That’s a lot of resentment built up over the years. The old heads don’t like attention drawn, and with Lorenzo, I can say without a doubt, his dealings are coming back to haunt him. Everyone can be bought if you know the right thing to offer.”
“So, you plan on coming in like Lucifer and tempting them with the apple?”
“I’ll do whatever I need to, Chuck.”
He scowls at the nickname. “I’m supposed to be your what? Manservant?” He snorts.
“Interpreter, trusted friend. The only things they understand are sex and family. They’ll assume you’re sleeping with me and that you’re in it for a piece of the empire.”
He flinches.
The response stings more than it should.
What have I done to this man that’s got him so disgusted?
I ignore the intense desire to touch my scars. Thanks to the cover-up I applied on the flight, the survivor’s brand is hidden.
“Should I call you mistress then and make it easier?”
“Are you determined to make this as difficult as possible? I have enough pressure on me as it is. You want to spit out what the problem is, so we can hash it out?”
“I told you, I don’t like women like you,” he signed slowly, like he wanted me to feel the hurt that came with each word.
The disdain in his eyes would’ve killed me if it was a weapon. “Women like me?” I shake my head. Deaf women ? “What does that even mean?”
“Deceitful liars with pretty faces.”
Pretty faces? The statement is a
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley