I sink my teeth into my bottom lip and clench my fist beneath the table. I sure as hell didn’t want to get hitched to Mel Sedric.
She knew it as certainly as I knew. The last thing she wanted to do was get married to me herself. And deflecting the question to me was just something she would do.
But calling me the head of the family was an admission, and I find myself hardening, my cock jerking in my pants. Whether the words are true or not, they stroke my ego. Being lord and king over a woman like Mel feels good.
But I pull up before I can fall too far into that misconception. When had Mel ever been subservient and meek? This Mel didn’t sit well with the image of her I had carried around these last few years.
I snap my eyes to my father’s and grit my teeth. This was none of their business. Their job here was done. ‘It’s business father. Things have changed. Perhaps you two should not interfere any more than you both have already.’
Father’s eyes are like cold steel. ‘It is our business, Xander, we are trusting you with.’
‘And this is our lives. We’ll take it from here. Once the contract is signed, it will be as good as mine. Do not interfere.’
Mel’s father breaks in before father can reply. ‘My business belongs to my daughter still until you both have been married five years. Do not think you will get away with treating her less than is due.’
Anger washes over my skin, and I throw him a dark glare. ‘When have I ever treated your daughter less than she is due?’
Mel’s voice breaks through the brick of anger in my chest and melts it like butter. ‘We do not need to fight right after our dinner.’
My brothers are watching my face, theirs impassive. They have not said a word the entire time, and I wonder what they’re thinking.
‘Mel is right. Xander has proven himself more than once. He will be a man of the Famiglia after his marriage. There is no reason to rein him in.’ Alec says. ‘And if war breaks out with the Russians, he’ll need to make a decision. He can’t keep asking for permission to run the business as he sees fit.’ Alec says.
Father shoots Alex an irate look, but before he can counter, Mother’s hand lands on his. ‘The engagement is still months away. Maybe we should make a decision after the wedding? Our alliance is fragile yet. There’s no need to destroy it by bickering like children at dinner.’
I hadn’t considered I would have to answer to the older men even after my marriage to Mel. I didn’t want to.
I wanted control over both businesses. And control meant that I had the final say on all decisions concerning the business.
I push my chair back and excuse myself from the table. I know Father and Sedric will spend the evening together, locked in his study.
Father will strain himself to prove he is still the Lord of the underworld who kept the business running and expanding all these years, and Sedric will let him.
I wish I could return to my own home, but while Mel and her family remain here, that will be impossible. Daniel pushes his chair back and follows me out of the room.
‘I need a break from your family. That includes you.’ I mutter to him. I sweep a hand to my hair and tip my head back to enjoy the faint breeze flowing through the air on the balcony. It smells of frangipanis and mother’s tulips.
‘So do I, from yours. It was getting rather stifling in there. I need to talk to you.’
I spat out a chuckle. ‘If you’re here to threaten me concerning your sister, forget it. I’m not interested in hearing one more word about her.’
Daniel places his elbow on the rail and raises his brow. ‘Why would I do that? I’m not stupid. I know you’re still nursing something for her. You’d rather die than let harm come to her.’
I feel the squeeze of hate in my guts. He has no right to say that. ‘Things change. Maybe I hate her so much I’ll do away with her myself when she’s no longer useful.’
Daniel looks at me like I’m stupid. His eyes are glowing like wood embers.
‘You would never do that. But do not ever speak of my sister that way.’
I shake my head and run a hand through my hair. He’s right. I would never do that. He knows it too.
‘What’s the word on the streets?’ He asks finally when I refuse to grace his words with a reply.
‘Blood. The Russians sense weakness. They will sweep in as soon as they find a chink in our armor.’
‘And do you have one? You’re the head now.’
I bring my hand to my forehead and try rubbing away the headache brewing there. ‘Aren’t you doing your best to stay away from this? Why question me?’
Daniel’s face is an angry mask. ‘Because I worry for my sister. She’s not like you. She’s air and light, and you’re the darkness of the night. You might very well ruin her.’
I suck in a breath of air and flop back against the railing. ‘This is business, Daniel. I will protect her as much as I can, but there is only so much protecting I can do. Especially from myself.’
Daniel rolls his eyes and continues like I’d never said anything. ‘And what will the fucking Russians do when they realize she’s your weak link? Because fight it as much as you want, we both know you still want my sister and that she wants you too. You two will burn the world in your wake, but I worry that you will burn her too.’
‘She does?’ I ask. I ignore the little tremble in my voice.
Daniel’s brow creases with confusion. ‘Does what?’
‘Wants me?’
