“This is my fucking family,” he snapped. “You would strip me of power over my own House?—”
“You compromised your authority when you broke the law,” Severin pointed out evenly. “Be grateful we are not calling for more concessions.” Behind him, Nico’s eyes found mine, his face softening as he looked me over, searching for… what, I didn’t know.
My head spun with how neatly Dante had played them all—walking in as the accused and walking out the named heir of the Dominico family, free to roam the city, with an escort, firmly rooted in his newfound power. His name cleared, his future secure.
I had to admit, I was…impressed.
The buzzard had surprised me. Before this moment, I had thought Dante was nothing but a hammer when the situation called for a scalpel.
“You’re giving himeverything.” Marcello sounded horrified.
“We are fixing your mistakes.” Emilia watched Marcello’s face with predatory intensity. “Best to make peace with your losses and move on.” Her assessing gaze moved to me.
“Emberline.” Emilia’s tone turned sharp. “You have beenvery quiet today. Do you have anything to add to the discussion? As a member of the Pentarch families, you may speak.”
Oh, now I’m allowed an opinion, after all the decisions have been made?I narrowed my eyes, wondering if this was another one of those female tests, the kind I always seemed to lose.
“I’ve been… processing.” Miraculously, I kept my voice even, free of all the snark I was dying to let loose. “There have been many interestingdevelopments.” I slid a sideways glance at Dante, trying to look appropriately awed at my amazing husband. “None of which I expected.”
A few humorless laughs rippled around the table.
“Do you support our decision? Returning Dante’s rights, his position as heir?” she pressed.
Silence stretched, and I couldn’t help my eyes from wandering over to Gabriel.He’d been robbed.As long as I could remember, he’d played the dutiful son, the trusted consigliere, and now… what was he?
The second son of a now-disgraced Don.
Gabriel’s blue eyes burned when they met mine, his mouth set in a tight, hard line, and my heart clenched. I wanted to tell him I was sorry about how things turned out.
But what was I doing?
I should be happy with this outcome, watching the once-powerful family crumble from the inside out. The first part of my plan was in motion, and I hadn’t even lifted a finger.
But I couldn’t stop my heart from aching with longing at what our fake marriage might have been like. Maybe…it would have almost been real.
I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “If recognizing my marriage and my husband’s position means fewerthreats are aimed at my family, then yes. I support your decision.”
“Motion carried, then.” Emilia leaned back in her chair.
Marcello’s power simmered, but the tide had turned. “You’ll all regret this,” he muttered, the words sounding not like a threat, but like surrender as he mopped sweat from his brow.
Severin inclined his head. “The Brotherhood will send a liaison to Calle Morgana to inspect your wards.” He raised a hand. “Nico?”
Nico grimaced but nodded. “I suppose someone has to make sure thisstronzodoesn’t burn half the district down.” He bared his fangs in disgust.
The meeting dissolved, conversations splintering, alliances forming in quiet subcurrents of handshakes and predatory smiles. Somehow, every time I looked up, I found Emilia DiSangue’s eyes on me.
“You enjoyed that,” I whispered under my breath, “handing your father his ass.”
Dante’s mouth curved. “And you didn’t?”
“Maybe a little,” I admitted. “Well, a lot, actually.”
“Don’t lie; you were beside yourself with excitement.” He chuckled. “You looked pleased when Emilia backed us.”
“Us,” I repeated, dread sinking all the way to my bones. “Big assumption.”
Enemies, I repeated to myself.Enemies and nothing more.
