Page 110 of Vicious Kingdom

Chills broke over my arms as the words captured me, drawing me into the world and—

Wait a second.

I clicked into older files, ones with odd abbreviations. And then, as I scanned those, it hit me.

I closed the computer down and rushed to my office. Blood pumped through my veins, spurring me forward. I pulled a hardback off the shelf. My hands shook as I opened the page.

The same words stared back at me.

“Impossible,” I breathed.

But the proof was there.

Annaliese was my favorite author.

I discovered G.R. James, an indie author, years ago in an airport lounge. I followed their career, snapping up every latest release.

“All this time….” All this time, we’d been connected.

The years, the miles between us, and Anna’s voice had been whispering to me the whole time. It was surreal. Now I stood here, wondering why she’d never told me. She used to be so proud of her book—the fantasy one with faery princes and dark magic. Since coming back into my life, she didn’t breathe a word about her writing.

I don’t deserve her secret.

I discovered it. But it wasn’t the same as if she’d told me. That produced a funny little ache in my chest. Annaliese was the master of webs, keeper of secrets. And right now, I would fall on my knees, plunge a sword in my chest, just to hear her admit one.

“I can earn your trust,” I breathed. I had to—or else I wouldn’t survive her.

Chapter 40 – Annaliese

The golden opportunity finally arrived. While luncheon with my parents was far from ideal, it gave me the perfect excuse to go to their house. Armed with the USB drive the don gave me, our plot was in full force.

I parked my car in the circular driveway of my parents’ sprawling estate, taking a moment to steady my nerves. The familiar tension settled between my shoulder blades as I gazed up at the imposing façade of my childhood home. White columns and pristine landscaping—everything perfect on the outside, just as my parents preferred.

“You can do this,” I whispered to myself, clutching my purse where the USB drive lay hidden. One quick trip to my father’s office, plug it in, and the famiglia might have access to everything they needed to destroy Voss.

There was sure to be something on his computer.

He wasn’t smart enough to keep the information anywhere else.

The front door opened before I could knock. My mother stood there, immaculate as always in her cream Chanel suit, pearls gleaming at her throat.

“Annaliese, darling. You’re late.” Her disapproval was palpable, but she air-kissed my cheeks anyway.

We glided in silence to the dining room where my father was already sitting…with my uncle and cousin.

My stomach lurched.

I can do this.

Two people were hard enough to evade. Four? I steeled my resolve, and the meal began.

The men talked shop, scheming for their media empire. Mom discussed the latest gossip flowing through society—as if I cared. And Jonatan sulked, hardly touching a bite of food.

“So, Annaliese, how’s married life treating you?” Uncle Jon boomed. “We haven’t been invited to dinner yet, you know.”

He shot me a wink.

And don’t you think that’s by design?Leo’s apartment, although cold and full of tension, was still my safe space. Whatever problems we faced were ours and ours alone. “Oh, you know how it is, so busy that the days are flying by!”