“Wow.” Julian leaned back in his seat and sipped his brandy. “What’s the plan now?”
I shrugged, frowning. “I take over his world. As his wife, I’m entitled to, right? Can I count on your help?”
“Always.” Julian scratched his jaw and although he nodded, he frowned, and I could see a but coming. “You know Vincenzo headed up the roundtable, right?”
“I heard about it but have no idea what happens there.”
“Roundtable is a group of crime lords that collaborate on specific businesses, Gianna. You’re going to either have to step into Vincenzo’s place or allow them to buy you out.”
My laugh was low, my eyes though held a darkened promise. “I didn’t survive hell just to bow out, Julian. I intend making my name known.”
“And I don’t doubt that, sweetheart.” He squeezed my hand lightly. “With the roundtable, though, you need them to vote you in. Vincenzo was a powerful man with a worldwide influence and as his wife, those lords will respect you but just be prepared for anything.”
“Like what?” I sipped the lemon water Rosana set in front of me.
“A test perhaps.” He shrugged and I laughed. “Then again if the Black Daggers favor you after their test, I’m sure you’ll win others over. Just be prepared. It’s all I’m saying. My suggestion is to contact Vincenzo’s chief of staff and find out everything you can about the roundtable.”
I nodded as Rosana approached us. “Mi scusi, signora. Your father is here to see you.”
My brow shot up as I looked at Julian. “That was quick. How did he know I was back?”
“Not sure,” Julian replied as I nodded for Rosana to bring my father in.
I wondered what he wanted and stood as he approached us a couple of seconds later. “Hello, Gianna. How are you?” His smile wide, fake just like his fatherly affection.
Remembering Vincenzo’s words about Cassius not being my father, I went in hard, letting him know I wasn’t the meek little girl he’d sold. “Cut the bull, Cassius, my wellbeing is the last thing you care about.” I matched his stare, glare for glare, his smile morphed into a hard mask. “What are you doing here?”
He took a moment, and I could see a million questions in his eyes and the acceptance that I’d tell him shit. My exile was only up for discussion with people I deemed relevant. He held out some photos, breaking the silence. “I promised to look into your mother’s death. These are the people responsible.”
“It’s been close on two years, why come to me now. Oh, wait, maybe me being in prison was too much for you to handle,” I scoffed, waiting to see how he’d react to that bit of information.
He ignored my insult. “Because I only managed to piece everything together recently.”
Frowning, I took the photos and studied them before stopping at one. It was a pretty woman who clearly didn’t fit in with the rest of the pictures. “Who is she?” I put her in her late twenties with dark hair and a full smile, her light brown eyes spoke to a happy life. Nothing like the images of the other miserable fucks that had evil written all over their disgusting faces.
“She had some business dealings with the Columbia Cartel.”
I glanced at him, my brow creased, wondering what dealings my mother had with the Colombian Cartel. “So? What’s her connection to my mother?”
“She’s taking over as the new DA. Before his death, her father introduced her to Mendez and asked for his protection seeing as her father had a lot of enemies. In return, she promised to keep the Mendez family out of court with their last fuck up.”
“Still doesn’t explain mom’s involvement.” I shrugged, my boredom beginning to grow.
Noting my expression, he let out a frustrated breath. “Mendez had it in for me ever since I took your mother from him.” Okay, that was news to me. I grinned. When had that shit gone down? Before my arrival no doubt. A warning bell went off.
Was Mendez my father? Hence the bad blood?
I said nothing.
Cassius continued, “Mendez gave that woman information that would’ve swung their case and put me in prison had I not gone into hiding.”
Serves you right, fucker. “I still don’t understand. If that were the case, you would’ve gone to prison, not mom, if she’d been alive.” Sarcasm dripped through my clenched teeth.
“Is that what you want, Gianna,” he muttered.
“Yes.” There was no thought to the answer. There was no love lost between us and I wasn’t about to start feeling anything for him now. I turned my back on him and fingered the steak knife sitting on the edge of the plate that held my half-eaten meal.
“Hate me all you want but everything I did was for you. If I’d allowed you to marry that good for nothing boy—”
