Page 32 of Tarnished Vow

“I flew to your territory to blow up the Thorne’s shipment yards, all to create a supply and demand problem that you would benefit from?”

“It’s not about the money. It’s about that bitch that used to be glued to your side!”

Holding my reaction. I could feel Damius watching me.

“And last week when Jamison held a gun to Felix Thorne, was that me, too?”

“You fucking?—”

“Enough.” Damius spoke to him. “It is best for both of you to remain silent while I have some respect remaining.” As he stood up, “I have spoken with the Thornes. Seeing the significant damage to both sides is impossible to forgive and forget. We have decided a family merger is the best option.”

Family merger.

Pure white panic runs through me. Their family only has one person not married.

It took all my effort not to break the fucking armrests.

“Considering the bad blood is in your territory, Marcel. I am suggesting Oliver or August.”

Marcel's lips curve up, still staring at me. “August.”

Her marrying into another family was nearly impossible to live with. Her marrying one of my cousins. I couldn’t survive that.

“No. She’s mine.” I lifted my cold stare from Marcel to Damius. “If that is a problem. August and I can take it outside.” Not even giving that fucker the respect of being looked at as I challenge him.

Twice I had seen my grandfather surprised. The first when I admitted to killing my father, and now.

“Vincent, you once said you’d never marry or take another oath for this family.”

My weaknesses were his opportunities.

I tried to think of the right way to not spike his interest in her. But fuck it, what life or sanity would I have if she married my cousin?

“She will marry me, even if I have to step over a dead body on the day.”

Silence.

The type that is normally followed by pain or, in our family, a bullet. Threatening death to another family member is punishable. Considering the look in Marcel’s eyes, he was waiting for Damius’s command.

Instead, like a madman, Damius started laughing.

Sick. Twisted. Bastard.

“What do I always say, my strongest Crow.” He grabbed my shoulders. “No threats, promises.” Walking around me, down the length of the table.

“Now these accusations, Marcel,” Damius stood across from him, behind Bastion.

I shifted on my chair, ready to get involved if he touched him. Nikolai seemed to have the same idea.

“You were correct when we looked closer at Vincent's location. He wasn’t in town the day of the shipment fire occurred.”

What the fuck.

“When traced, and location thoroughly checked. Vincent was found to be with Sofia.” He tapped Bastion's shoulders. “Like a good brother, or some may say, father.” Letting go of him, he walked past Luca. “Now your location wasn’t to be found, Marcel, and Oliver.” Damius slowly eyed them. “A pattern of large gaps where no location data can be found, even on yourself, Jamison.” He clicked his tongue. “So, shall I keep digging to find out why?”

None of us were stupid enough to think he didn’t know.

“No grandfather.” Marcel turned to look at me. “We accept accountability for these…unfortunate events.”

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