Page 36 of Devil's Bride

As soon as the priest was finished, I stood. I’d done so with such abruptness Emiliano immediately headed toward me.

“Is everything alright?” he asked, keeping his voice low.

“Fine. Watch Bella for me. Don’t let her out of your sight.”

“Where are you going?” she asked, grabbing my arm.

“Nowhere far, girlie. Just to talk with someone.” I nodded toward the tree and Emiliano bristled the moment he noticed Jago.

“Do you want me to get rid of him?” he asked.

I shook my head. “This is something I can do and should do. Just take care of my baby sister.”

“I’m not a baby,” she insisted as she stood.

My commander gripped my arm. “Don’t do anything rash.”

“Who me? Never. This is a funeral, after all.”

Winking, I did my best to keep my composure, which included a plastic smile. There was no sense in anyone thinking a single guest’s presence bothered me.

Even as I made a beeline for the man, I was stopped several times, forced to endure fake condolences, but I kept my eyes on him. He wasn’t moving, merely standing like a statue, but I had an overwhelming sense he was waiting for me to approach.

When I was finally within a few feet, the soldier standing with him backed away as if this had all been planned. I took my time since my heels dug into the soft earth. I wasn’t certain how I felt when he handed me the white roses.

“Let me guess. Is this meant as a sign of a truce? Or do you have gaseous poison in a vial poised to let loose as soon as I sniff the flowers?” I asked, accepting them without slapping them across his face.

“So dramatic, Genevieve. I don’t think it’s in either of our best interests to continue our petty fight.”

“I’m surprised you choose to call it a fight when you’ve used much darker tactics to do nothing more than prove a point throughout your career.”

He chuckled and allowed his gaze to fall. He was undressing me with his eyes, but he had the almost charismatic way of making doing so seem beautiful.

“You are correct. I have. Although I’ve never intentionally destroyed priceless works of art before.”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t realize you could tell the difference in works of art.” That floored me.

His single nod left me chilled. “My father kept his art inside the warehouse. While it obviously appeared unassuming to you, simply a location where we stored illegal party favors, theupstairs was a secure, conditioned space where he could switch out his favorite art pieces.”

Shit. I had no idea what to say to him and in truth, why should I care? “Someone torched your goods?”

“Let’s not play any games,” he suggested. “You proved your point. My offer was low.”

“Yes, very. However, torching works of art wasn’t my intent.”

“I’m certain it wasn’t and I’ll give you credit for your ability to catch me off guard. I assure you that it won’t happen again. However, we need to discuss this further.”

Something about the way he issued his statement brought another tingling feeling, but not from desire. His eyes suddenly turned even darker and colder than before.

“We don’t have anything to talk about, Jago. We’ll never see eye to eye on what my family’s business is worth and quite frankly, I enjoy the challenge.”

“Do you now? Do you also enjoy the way vultures are flying around you, ready to pick off your successes one by one?”

“Are you trying to scare me?”

“I’m doing you a favor by keeping what you’re facing realistic, Genevieve. You’ve weathered a few days of scrutiny. You should be thankful your soldiers haven’t walked out, but they will if clear direction isn’t provided. I doubt you’ve been able to do that. Perhaps I’m wrong.” He lifted a single eyebrow, honestly anticipating I’d provide him with some admittance.

I pressed my face into the flowers, buying a few extra seconds. He was right in that I had no idea what direction to go in. “I havebeen grieving, Jago, but it’s been business as usual. Even you must grieve, or are you so cold and distant that all losses mean nothing to you?”

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