I laugh – a tinkling, feminine laugh that doesn’t sound like my own. It sets my throat on fire, but it’s worth every moment of agony. “I want the August family, of course. I’m the new Imperator.”
20
Claudia
Nero steeples his fingers, his eyes dancing with amusement. “I’m afraid that’s impossible.”
“You don’t get to decide. I’m August blood. According to our traditions, I’m the rightful heir. My father always intended me to take over the family. Well, I’m here to make good my father’s legacy. I started by getting rid of the usurper.”
Talking hurts so bad. I raise my hand to rub my tender throat, but lower it when I catch Cali watching. I won’t show weakness in front of them.
“Brutus broke our sacred rules. How he’s survived for four years without… well, you saw how he did it. He killed every person who might’ve stood against him, but he didn’t know the truth. That I was hiding, waiting… And I know you both had deals with him, and that you accepted his leadership because of what he could offer your families, but you’ll find I bring more to the table. Plus,” I lift my chin high and point to my face. “I have this. As long as the world believes I’m Mackenzie Malloy, I’ll be your ticket into the upper echelon of Emerald Beach. I can go where you can’t and get you the intel you need. You want to blackmail some rich bastards? I can get you their secrets. Would that be of interest to you?”
Nero’s ears perk up. I can read him like a book. Cali scratches a chunk out of the table. Constantine leans forward, and I see the killer in his eyes.
“You might very well carry Julian’s blood,” he says. “But you’re just a little girl. You have no real power in our world. What’s stopping us from putting a bullet between your eyes right now and going on with our plans?”
“A fair question.” I pretend to consider it. “Honor among thieves?”
“I wouldn’t count on it,” Cali hisses, her fingers tightening around the blade.
“Fine. Then you might like to recall that we got past your guards, snuck into your secret meeting, and caught you all unawares. You want to start a firefight in here? Sure, you might kill me, but you don’t know how many guys I’ve got outside, waiting for an excuse to riddle you with bullets.”
It’s a bluff. Antony knows it, but the others don’t. I hold my breath, hoping my cousin doesn’t say anything. But Antony leans back in his chair and folds his arms. He squints at the chandelier. He won’t look at me. He doesn’t speak.
Nero leans back in his chair. “I must admit, princess, I’m intrigued. You’ve given us quite the surprise.”
“I did what I had to do to take my rightful place at this table, what either of you would do in my place.” I nod at the two men who are now my equals. “My demands are simple. I seize power of the August family as its Imperator, effective immediately. My three tribunes—” I point in turn to Noah, Eli, and Gabriel, “—have the protection of the Triumvirate and the August family for life. And Antony is free to leave the family.”
“Fucking hell,” Antony snaps. “What are you doing?”
Now it’s my turn to ignore him. I fold my arms. “That’s my price.”
Nero raises an eyebrow. He’s not expecting this.
Antony looksmurderous.
Constantine leans back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “This is a family business. Blood comes first. We cannot allow a tribune to leave. It would be against the oath.”
“Please. I know the law of the family. Everything Brutus did was against the oath, and you both let him do it. Compared to your crimes, this is a trifle. Antony’s not going to go to the police. There’s blood on his hands, too. That’s all the protection you need.”
Constantine shakes his head. “Our rules are clear in this matter – our empires go to the next in line. We must welcome you into the fold. But as for sparing Antony, I cannot accept this.”
Damn. So close.
“If you asked for anyone else, fine. But he’s too precious for the empire to lose.”
Nero holds up his hand. “Now, Constantine. Let’s consider this. Everyone has their price, even us.” He studies the severed head on the table. “If Antony is to go free, you must give us something precious in return.”
“Name it.”
This is everything I’ve ever wanted. I’ll give you anything, you rat bastard.
An evil smile settles itself across Nero’s plump lips. “Yourself.”
21
Claudia
