It’s the best protection I can offer Robin now—an indifference that will convince everyone she meant nothing to me. That targeting her would be pointless because I’ve already moved on.
Stefan watches me carefully for a long moment. “I’m very sorry to hear that, Eva. She was a lovely young woman.”
I give a bored sigh. “As I told you, she was a temporary amusement. Nothing more.”
But even as I say it, I remember Robin’s hand on mine in that hospital room, the way she whispered that she loved me.
The way she walked away without looking back because she knew it would break me.
“Perhaps it’s for the best,” Stefan says, “because the attack in Vegas confirms a lead I picked up in Sicily. The Gattos have been planning this for a long time—not just the hit on you, but attempts to disrupt the entire Consortium.”
I set down my glass. “TheGattos?”
“I know. I could hardly believe it myself. But I’ve found evidence they were behind your father’s shooting, and the attempted shooting in Paris. The auction where you met Robin? That was a Gatto operation designed to draw you in—you were never supposed to leave their casino that night.”
“How do you know about the auction?” I demand. I know I’ve never told him before.
“Leon,” he says gently. “I’m afraid Leon thought I should know. I’m sorry if it embarrasses you?—”
“Don’t be ridiculous. What’s embarrassing is that the Gattos are the ones behind all this and we didn’t find out until now.” The Gattos—a third-rate Family—have been orchestrating attacks against the Novak Consortium? Against my father? Againstme? I give a frustrated scoff. “You’re certain?”
Stefan nods grimly. “I have confirmation from three independent sources. That’s why I’m here, Eva. To fulfil my duty to you. To deliver your father’s killers into your hands. I’ll go through all the evidence with you, of course, but…”
Stefan talks on as I let it sink in. The Gattos targeted my father. Killed Marcus and God knows how many other loyal soldiers. Put Robin in danger simply by proxy of her connection to me.
“We will eradicate them completely,” I say at last, my voice deadly quiet, but Stefan falls silent at once. “Every last one.”
Stefan raises his coffee in a toast.
“Uncle.” I lean back in my chair, studying his face. “I owe you an apology for how I spoke to you before. When you tried to warn me about…Robin. You were right. I was being selfish.”
Something flickers in his expression—surprise, maybe. “I was looking out for you, Eva. That’s all I was doing. I have no desire to see you lose anyone else in your lifetime. You’ve suffered enough. Family looks out for family.”
“Family,” I echo. “Yes. We need to stick together, especially now.”
He rises from his chair, moving to the window that overlooks the black lake below. “Your father would be very proud of you, Eva. You’ve become everything he hoped you’d be.”
Later that day, after Stefan leaves, I sit alone in my study as darkness falls over the castle grounds. The village is having some sort of traditional celebration to banish winter and welcome spring, and I can hear the music even up here in the castle. I think about Robin walking those village streets, buying bread and smiling at children who now attend a newly renovated school.
I’ve become everything my father hoped I’d be, Stefan said.
Is this really what he wanted for me? A cold, loveless existence with only power and money to keep me warm? A castle full of shadows and the echo of my own footsteps, no laughter to break the silence, no warmth to chase away the chill?
I think of Dominika Kusek, sneering at my attempts to lure her away from Brie Colombo with promises of wealth and influence.I know what you can’t offer me,she’d said.Love.
At the time, I’d been insulted by her dismissal, angry that she’d chosen sentiment over strategy. But now I understand howpitiful I must have seemed—a woman with everything money could buy, offering more of the same to someone who’d already found something infinitely more valuable.
For the first time, I wonder if Nik was right to walk away. If love really is more powerful than all the weapons and influence I could ever provide. But now isn’t the time for philosophical musings about the nature of power versus affection.
Now is the time for war.
I pick up my phone and dial Brie Colombo’s number. She answers on the second ring, her voice crisp and professional.
“Eva. I was wondering when I’d hear from you. I hope you’ve recovered after that attack here in Vegas? It wasn’t us, if that’s what you were?—”
“I need to know your decision,” I cut in, because of course the attack in Vegas didn’t come from the Colombos. Brie is neither stupid nor reckless enough to try to take me out, but the Gattos are, and the evidence Uncle Stefan showed me during his visit was enough to convince me. “The Colombos, the Syndicate, the Bianchi Family—are you going to help me wipe out the Gattos, or has your lover poisoned the well?”
There’s a pause, and I can hear a smile in Brie’s voice when she responds. “Nik really riled you up, huh? As a matter of fact, she wanted to nix the whole thing. But…”
