“Told her what?”
“That the sun rises and sets on her and that she managed to cut through your usual bullshit?”
I turned my head slowly, lifting an eyebrow. “Be careful what you say to me.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Or you’ll beat my ass. It’s worth the risk. In one week that woman changed you. Correction, she reminded you that even your twin brother would want you to enjoy your life instead if thinking of the dead all the time.” He shuddered on purpose.
He had a point. “I’ll tell her.”
“Yeah, when you deem it so. By then, you might have lost her heart. Try and remember women are much more patient than men, but when their patience runs out, they shut down and you’ll never get them back.”
“Where did you learn that tidbit of information?”
We stepped from the elevator, heading down the hallway.
“That nurse I mentioned? She was the one. Yet I kept her on a string as if waiting for something better to come along.”
“Isn’t this where I’m supposed to tell you that it’s never too late?”
I stopped in front of the hotel room door, ignoring the rising tension and anger.
“Too late. She was married two months ago.”
With a snort, I knocked on the door.
“Alex. What are you doing here?” Uncle Armand eyed me carefully, his brow furrowed, barely glancing at Jarvis but noting his presence. He knew this wasn’t a social visit.
“Don’t look so nervous, Uncle. This is a celebratory visit.”
“I don’t understand.”
Good. I’d made him very nervous as he should be. “I just came to invite you to my wedding.”
Seeing him stunned was surprisingly entertaining. “I’m sorry. You’re getting married?”
“Why, yes. That is what you wanted. Right? Or were you more interested in obtaining power in a little over two and a half months when the terms of the contract were enforced? You know the one I’m talking about. If that’s the case, I imagine you’re sorely disappointed.” I crowded his space. Standing three inches taller than the man, I used that to my advantage.
“The business arrangement wasn’t forced on your father. He agreed.”
“Well, he’s not here to confirm that. Is he?” I crowded his space even more. “Surprised?”
“Truthfully, yes. Perhaps I underestimated you.”
“I’m certain you did. You know, it’s funny and I could be wrong, but I honestly think you had something to do with your own brother’s murder.”
“How dare you.”
“Do you know how many times I’ve heard that in the last week?” I laughed. “Now, here’s the thing. You know me and what I’m capable of. You also know if I have a single weakness, it’s that I care about my family. Maybe too much. Enough I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep them protected. That will include my wife. And if I find out you had anything to do with my father’s death, I promise you that you will learn the true meaning of the word revenge.”
I patted his chest, my angel’s reminder to try to be nicer sticking in the forefront of my mind. Turning away, I took a few steps then stopped, tipping my head so I could look him in the eyes one last time. “Oh, and have a nice day. The wedding is on Saturday at the church where my parents were married. You do remember the location since you were his best man. Yes?”
Why bother waiting for an answer?
I’d laid the groundwork for a ceasefire, or in my world a clear and present invitation to end the war neither my father nor I had wanted anything to do with. While I might never discover the truth about whether he’d betrayed the family with the Russians, I’d laid down a gauntlet and one he knew better than to cross.
If he didn’t, he would face the hand of black magic.
My way.
