No one dares ask Vian about it.
And I was convinced no one could help me gain more power, so it was a done deal that I would remain unmarried.
“Viviana Bertinelli,” I say before their brains explode thinking of who it might be.
Vian leans back, nodding at me. “Clever fucker.”
Rafe puffs on his cigar, enveloping the room in gray smoke. “When will you have enough?”
That will be the fact the underworld will stick to. That I follow a strategy, giving me an untouchable status by increasing my power and influence even more, single-handedly being the balance between the East and the West Coast. That is what Viviana will hear too. That I used her to keep the peace, when I would have started a war to have her.
“Now, it’s enough.”
Vian cocks his head. “How did Cato react? His wife won’t be happy. If her sister is anything like her, you’re fucked, you know that?”
Cato’s wife’s reputation has been a topic for years. The fucker must love a good challenge.
“He said no. He’ll reconsider.”
“He’s whipped,” Vian says wistfully.
“They all are. Disgusting,” Rafe says, and his face contorts as if anything feelings-related makes him physically ill. “Why so sure?”
“It’s a win-win situation.”
“Wouldn’t have taken you for a promoter of equity,” Vian says, staring at me.
I hold his stare. The fucker doesn’t want to play this game with me. I am emotionless when required. The reason I am winning at poker once again. But I tolerate their company, and it’s good for business.
As we continue to play, Rafe says, “So when will the auspicious event be?”
“Summer.”
It will happen.
Just then, I receive a text from Kieran.
You have your deal.
I smirk, finally able to relax.
But then a knife lodges between my ribcage, seizing my lungs. It gets harder to breathe, and I am perfectly aware of the reason. Soon she’ll find out who I truly am.
That’s why I will postpone announcing the engagement. To keep this version of her longer.
After the game ends, I accompany them to the elevator. Observing each other, we remain silent for a minute.
Vian shrugs. “Should I say congratulations? Good luck?”
“Commiseration?” Rafe adds.
I wave them off. “I don’t need any of that. See you next month. And make it Thursdays from now on.”
“And so it begins,” Vian sighs.
Rafe and he exchange a pitiful look, shaking their heads at me.
I am not about to explain why I disregarded every principle to have her. Certain things you experience can’t be described. If they haven’t fallen yet, they will. It’s a fact. One I’ve learned by almost going insane trying to stop the impossible.
