Page 6 of Midnight Salvation

“And what if Marlow turns up to dispute your argument?” Xavier demanded.

“I can guarantee you that won’t be a problem,” I replied.

That got Jordan’s attention in a heartbeat. “What the fuck have you done?”

Marlow was well liked by the Council because he did what Dad said and never asked any questions. He was an assassin who took pleasure in his work.

“Removed a player from the board.” I stared at Jordan until Xavier intervened.

“I trust Ash’s decision, but what the fuck happened?”

Lucas sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He moved his attention to me but I refused to look at him. The guys would be pissed that they’d been kept out of the loop.

“Do you remember the night Aaron had been injured?” Lucas asked.

Jordan scowled. “I remember having to deal with Poppy’s body.”

“Ash was sleeping in my house when he left the hospital,” Lucas continued. “Marlow had waited until most of my security was on an errand and invaded. He had Lucrezia and I bound in the basement when Ash discovered us. Marlow is dead, his head in my freezer.”

Xavier’s eyes widened, his attention moving between me and Lucas. “Why was Ash sleeping in your house?”

Yeah, he had to focus on that.

“Because he was betrothed to my daughter at the time,” Lucas deadpanned.

Both Xavier and Jordan sat to attention. “And now?” Xavier demanded.

“Now he is married to my daughter.” Lucas bestowed hisdo not test melook on Xavier.

Both my friends turn disbelieving stares in my direction.

“How the fuck did you achieve that?” Jordan demanded.

I shrugged. “In a chapel with a priest.”

“Why is it a secret?” Xavier demanded.

“You know the rules of my family. I have no intention of letting them anywhere near her,” I replied. “I would appreciate it if this information stayed in this room.”

I glared at Lucas for several seconds.

“I trust Xavier with my life,” he replied defensively.

“So do I, but he has a wife, and if Lucrezia can pick information from me, I’m guessing Cassandra can do the same.”

Xavier laughed and rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously. “Yeah, Ash has a point.”

Jordan, on the other hand, wouldn’t let it drop. “How the fuck did he snatch Lucy from under your nose?” he demanded.

Lucas turned his death stare to Jordan. “He put a gun to my head and told me to mind my own business.”

Jordan’s mouth dropped open before a slow smile curved his lips. “You have balls of fucking steel,” he said. “Every other man is trying to put together a portfolio… Balls of fucking steel.”

“Can we not discuss my balls?” I asked. “So now you know why Marlow is dead. He touched what didn’t belong to him and paid the penalty.”

“He cut his hands off first,” Lucas said with pride. “He hacked him up for touching my baby.”

“You fucking psycho,” Jordan said with a huge grin on his face.

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