Page 28 of Legacy

I quickened my steps, coming up behind her. Even if she registered my presence behind her, she gave no outward acknowledgment, only holding the angry death glares of the men with her cool, unaffected one.

She showed no apparent reaction as I wrapped my arm around her waist, sliding it along her back and side. I drew her back, and a jolt of awareness struck me, but I fought to ignore how right she felt against me.

With me.

Once we were alone, I anticipated a scolding for interrupting her. Still, she had no idea the danger she was treading in.

Cristo barely glanced at me, keeping his sneer firmly in place as Avra settled her palm over my hand. “You think you’re so smart.”

“There is no think in that equation. It is a fact.”

My hold on her tightened. Why couldn’t she keep quiet?

“Here is some truth,” Morisi added. “The wisdom of leaving the past in the past is best for your health and your sisters’.”

The muscles in Avra’s back tensed, and the anger in her radiated out. She turned toward me and lifted her hand, placing it on my chest. Fire burned in her eyes as she stared up at me.

It was my turn to step in.

So that was her game.

This was all about putting on a show and letting everyone see how seamlessly we fit together as a couple, fake smiles and forced touches and all.

I knew if I remained quiet longer than necessary, nothing would stop Avra from rendering another stinging retort.

I shifted, aligning my position with Avra’s. “Then can I assume the three of you learned from the past and plan to leave it there?”

I held each man’s gaze as I spoke the last few words. “There were many mistakes. Ones that no one plans to repeat.”

I tugged Avra closer to me, almost hugging her with theurgency I felt about pulling her out of this situation. There was no de-escalating the tension she’d built against them.

I had to get her the hell out of here. But first, I needed to ensure Ozias’s cronies understood my statement.

“Isn’t that right, gentlemen?” I asked them, daring them to argue with my advice.

Cristo grunted, lifting his glass to his lips before realizing it was empty.

“Sure,” Morisi agreed. “Sure, sure. The past stays in the past.”

That wasn’t what I fucking said.

“Congrats,” Pello replied, avoiding any acknowledgment of my words regarding old mistakes.

All three gave the impression of agreement while meaning none of it. They regretted nothing. To them, Juno Vitalis had made all the mistakes by trusting them. They were just like Ozias, possessing not a single ounce of remorse for their actions.

Greedy bastards, all of them, drunk on power and full of egos. I couldn’t wait to unseat them. Slitting their throats one by one would be a bonus.

Avra stiffened in my arms as the men turned away. Her rigid posture warned me that her temper had yet to cool.

I doubted she’d appreciate how I’d come in and taken over her conversation. I had known she disliked anyone talking over her from our first dinner, but there had been no other option here. The fact she knew when to give over to me said she understood the politics of this, even if she hated every moment of it.

As she turned to me slightly, fisting her fingers on my shirt, I wondered what would happen if she ever released the torrent of anger she locked away inside.

She bunched the fabric with a trembling rage, even though the relaxed expression on her flawless face gave the impression of peace and serenity.

“There will always be consequences for one’s actions,” she uttered darkly.

I knew she was talking about my statement to the men. If she wasn’t happy with my handling of the situation, I couldn’t give a rat’s ass.

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