Page 102 of Declan's Dove

“Hmm. He also inherited everything your father left behind for you.”

“My father didn’t have anything except his house. We sold it about three weeks before Carter and I left. I never saw a dime from it, but it was mortgaged to the hilt because of my dad’s gambling habits. Hell, he squandered Carter’s college fund he set up for his first birthday.”

“You’re wrong, Dolcezza. Your father had a gambling addiction, but he still had money put aside for you. He knew he was weak when it came to money. He put away over one and a half million dollars in a trust for you and Carter. Henry set it up so he couldn’t touch it. It’s still there.”

“What?”

“Allyson Archer, an attorney who was close to your father, helped put everything your father owned into a trust for you and Carter. Everything except his home. Before your father died, he sent a request to Miss Archer. If anything happened to him, she was to make sure your husband couldn’t touch anything he had for you in the trust. He was the one who reached out to Kayce to get you out of your situation.”

A gasp leaves me in a whoosh and has me feeling lightheaded.

“He knew Kayce would fake your death. They made a plan together. Only your father thought he would be coming with you. It’s why he helped Allyson open the office in Crestview. It’s also why he told her to force everything into probate after your death for as long as possible, because he knew eventually you would come out of hiding.”

“But how would I prove it’s me after having faked my death? I’ll go to jail for fraud, Matteo!”

“No, Dolcezza. You won’t. We have a plan. But you will have to do everything we tell you and have faith that we will not steer you wrong.” His accusing raised brow annoys me.

“I do have faith. I’m just scared, Matteo. So many secrets. So many lies. And all I give a shit about is getting back to my son and Declan.” I cry. I hate crying. “I don’t care about money or anything else. I just want my family and to be happy. Why is that so fucking hard?”

He chuckles, squeezing my hand. “It’s not hard. It’s a choice. If you choose to be happy, let us help you. If you want to bury your head in the sand like an ostrich, then do that. We will bring Carter home no matter what you choose, but I can’t promise the life you are hoping for will still be available if you choose to ignore the world around you. The Kings seem to be about living life and loving family. Of course, I could be wrong.”

I hate him. Who said he should be the voice of reason?

“Matteo. Violet. We have to go,” Vincenzo calls out, rushing down the stairs while throwing his suit jacket on.

“Where to, boss?”

“It seems your husband wishes to see you,” Vincenzo says on a growl. “He’s demanding I bring you to him and if I do, he will release your son to me.”

“What? I don’t understand. Why would he allow Carter to go with you?” It makes no sense. James is not the type of person to let anyone go free without some type of contingency plan.

“My guess is he’s going to allow the exchange until you fulfill your purpose of releasing the money to him, and then he’s going to tell the police that the boss kidnapped your son,” Matteo says, sounding blasé about the whole thing. “It would be a good plan if it were not for the fact it’s so obvious.”

“So, what is your plan?” I ask Vincenzo.

“I’m going to take you to him and bring Carter home, of course.”

“What?”

“Relax, Dolcezza,” Matteo soothes softly. “Remember what I said about having faith.”

“That was before the plan was to hand me over to the psychotic motherfucker who would love nothing more than to see to my fake death becoming reality,” I screech.

Both men are sniggering and I’m fighting the urge not to slap them both.

“I’m not sure what to think about your use of the word motherfucker,” Matteo says. “Typically, I would scold you for such language, but there’s something amusing about it. It’s almost … cute.”

“Cute? What am I, a fucking puppy?” I snap. “How are you two so calm about all of this? My husband wants to kill me. He’s planning on destroying everything you’ve built on a bullshit story of kidnapping, and you’re both standing here shaking with laughter.”

“What can I say, Miss Dupree. You are very entertaining in your outrage.”

“I see what Mili means about you now.” That sobers Vincenzo up instantly and because I’m feeling petty, I’m not going to explain it to him.

Let’s see how you enjoy stewing.

“Come. The cars will be waiting out front,” Vincenzo commands. “Matteo, I want you and Miss Dupree in the front vehicle. We have a guest to drop off riding in the rear.”

Matteo doesn’t question, just nods his head. Then, taking me by the elbow, he leads me out to the waiting SUVs.

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