I refused to allow him, backing away and opening the file myself.
“You didn’t answer my goddamn question. How much of Russo’s territory would we have claimed? The contract is null and void at this point. See to it.”
“But it’s not. The contract was signed.” Jacques’ voice was barely audible. To his credit, he remained where he was, but I sensed he was expecting blowback.
I darted my eyes between the paperwork and Alexander, my heart thudding.
“Then you will find a way to break it!”
“If I do, your uncle will get everything.”
“What?” Alexander was surprised but not shocked. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“How do you think your father’s business was funded all those years ago? From the sale of illegal drugs? It wasn’t enough. There were expenses. Armand was already established in Baton Rouge. He believed in the old ways while your father was a playboy who never wanted to settle down.”
“What the fuck does that have to do with anything?”
Jacques shook his head. “It has everything to do with the past and the future. Armand forced your father to sign a contract agreeing to settling down, to marrying a nice girl. Your mother comes from well-to-do family, Alexander. She brought clout and legitimacy to the family name. Your father reluctantly agreed. Thankfully, he fell in love with your mother.”
The story was fascinating.
And horrifying.
I’d heard of such families, the requirements set in place in crime syndicates, but this was…
“Go on.”
Jacques took a deep breath. “What your father didn’t pay attention to was the codicil in the contract forcing every generation of Prince children who were to lead the family to be married within three months of taking the throne.”
Alexander shored his shoulders and that’s when I paid more attention to the papers held in my hand.
“The unholy contract had nothing to do with Emmeline.” Alexander’s voice held the dark and dangerous tone that everyone feared except for me.
As I read over the contract that had been signed, I could no longer feel anything. No emotions. No sensations. Nothing.
“No,” I said. “This has to do with you, Alexander. A forced union between two powerful families in New Orleans.”
“And just who am I to marry?” Alexander managed, although he was already looking in my direction.
“Me,” I whispered.
Jacques nodded.
Alexander took it better than I was doing, rubbing the scruff on his jaw and pacing the floor. “There are holes in this. Unless…” He stopped pacing, tilting his head as if a light bulb had gone off. “This enemy orchestrated the perfect scenario after killing my father and injuring Russo. To make it look like a turf war, destroying both families and obtaining everything they’d wanted. Both territories, ruining the businesses.”
“Yes,” Jacques said.
“They infiltrated my company in small ways, checking our systems, learning our weaknesses.” Alexander’s laughter was cold. Calculating.
“Yes.” The Consigliere was sweating.
“Let me guess,” Alexander laughed. “The Barishnikoffs are the true enemy of both our families.”
“You are correct, Alexander. Russo is aging, his mental faculties not what they were. Plus, he’s sick. He has cancer and doesn’t have long to live. He feared his sons couldn’t stave off the attack by the Russians. They’d already become far too dangerous. That’s why he had to consider alternatives, or his sons could lose their powerful legacy. And to answer your question more fully, Ms. Devereaux. From what I can tell, your real father wanted to keep your identity hidden forever, but was forced to play the hand with who you were.”
“Dangling a carrot,” I said with disgust. “To save his empire.”
“As an Italian princess, you are very valuable. Including to the Russians. Forcing you to marry one of the Pakhan’s sons would solidify the control Barishnikoff had over Russo and in turn, more easily destroy everything your father built, Alex.”
