Page 25 of Legacy

He knew my history with those three. But then again, his father led their group.

Why had he agreed to marry me when he questioned my motives from the very beginning?

What was in it for him? Perhaps he simply enjoyed a life full of trouble. Or he was one of those sick fucks who like pain and misery and hardship.

Even if Ozias had demanded his son to marry, no one could force a man like Elias to do anything. I’d met enough hard men to recognize he was one. A ruthless, impatient man who bent for no one.

Elias had his reasons to marry me.

And I planned to learn what they were.

Lingering in the background, I plucked a drink from a server and sipped, biding my time until Elias left.

After a few minutes, he stepped away to speak with one of his men, and I moved in with precise deliberation.

These men couldn’t intimidate me. They’d aged well. For men only in their late fifties or sixties, they look far younger. Then again, with their wealth and resources, they possessed the means to stay healthy and fit.

Cristo Caras noticed my approach first and raised his nearly empty glass to me. “Ah, here comes the bride.”

“Congratulations,” Pello cheered, slurring his speech.

I stepped right up to them, calm and relaxed, without revealing the actual depth of my loathing for them.

Keeping my champagne flute pinched loosely between my fingers, I held my head high and gave them no response to their praise for the wedding.

“I’m so proud of you,” Morisi Bella said, grinning widely. “If your father were here to see the gorgeous little woman you are…”

Pello laughed, shaking his head at his friend’s ill choice of words.

“It’s a perfect match,” Cristo boomed over Morisi’s not-so-secret dig. “You will bear Elias fine children.”

Assholes. All of them.

I wouldn’t rush this. I had to wait, listen, endure the idiots’ stupid fawning.

None of them wanted the best for me and Elias, or Ozias. They sought to protect themselves and played the game.

Silent and patient, I stood there. They weren’t even aware of the lack of conversation on my part.

Finally, when I had had enough of their self-flattery and nostalgic conversation, I broke the festive mood. “Cut the bullshit.”

They fell silent, giving me astonished, stern glares.

Was their surprise because of my directness or the fact a female dared to speak to them in such a manner?

“None of you wants me or my sisters around.”

Cristo furrowed his brow while the other two clenched their jaws. Not one of them dared to deny it.

At least they were honest enough to keep from lying about that.

“Were you surprised we survived?” I stepped one foot closer, pushing my shoulders back and standing as tall and proud as possible. “I know you hate it. We are the reminder of your past. You know, the one you do everything to wash away and pretend never happened.”

Pello opened his mouth, but I wasn’t in the mood to hear him and cut him off. “I have no time for lectures. “I’m here to tell you to expect notices. The landlord disapproves of squatters.”

“How dare you threaten us,” Morisi said, snapping out of his stunned silence, outrage on his face as he crowded me.

His height couldn’t intimidate me. I wasn’t the little girl of fifteen years ago.

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