Page 130 of Kissing the Villain

I raised a curious eyebrow at him. “Because Evangeline was better than her?”

“Your mother doesn’t have enough talent to accomplish what Eva did in her short life. She believed Eva was in her way.”

“I wish you had told me this years ago. It would have helped me understand why Luca was so angry with me. And why I have to marry him.”

“I’m sorry, Alex, but this is the least we owe them.”

He was right.

I felt like I owed them for what my mother did to theirs. She stole years of happiness from them. Luca and Marcello’s scars were a result of her behavior. It made sense why no amount of money would ever satisfy Arlo Salvatore. Nothing could repay him for taking the life of his wife.

Luca studied my face. “I know what you’re thinking, Drea. This changes nothing.”

“Did she know about me?”

“Yes.”

“She didn’t hate you,” Luca assured me. “My mother knew I had to marry someone from a Founding Family. She knew all about the deal my dad made. When I was a child, my mom told me I would marry a girl so beautiful she was worth painting.”

Tears stung my eyes, his confession slicing deep into my chest. “She said that about me?”

He nodded.

“Which is why we’re here today,” Pops interrupted. “Alex, you are the only female of age to marry a Salvatore. It is imperative your wedding takes place in September.”

“I thought Luca had to marry by his thirtieth birthday.”

“The Devil’s Knights charter says the current Grand Master has to transfer his power to his oldest son by his thirtieth birthday. We can push the wedding out one month.”

“Okay,” I said, still deflated by the news about my mother.

I knew she was a horrible person, but I never thought she was capable of murder. Why would he give her a cent after what she did to his wife?

“I don’t understand all of this stuff,” I told Pops. “Why can’t the Knights have a king without a queen?”

“To maintain the balance of power,” Pops said. “The choices you make atLegarewill determine the futures of the men in this room.”

“What choices do I have to make?”

“Who stays and who goes.” Pops rose from his chair, his stare aimed at Arlo. “One more thing. Whoever Alex chooses will become the new Grand Master of The Devil’s Knights.”

“This is fucking bullshit,” Luca growled. “I’m the oldest. The Knights are mine.”

“That’s your problem,” I said to Luca. “You think you own everyone and everything.”

“Keep running your mouth, baby girl.” He flung out his hand, an insane look on his face. “I’m two seconds from choking you just to shut you up.”

“Luca, calm the fuck down,” Marcello shouted from across the room. “You’re disrespecting all of us by speaking to our queen this way.”

“Fuck off, brother! This is your fault.” He tugged at the ends of his short black hair, his eyes turning a shade so dark they looked like blue steel. “You did this… How long have you been conspiring against me?”

I burst into a fit of laughter. “Do you hear yourself? Seriously, you need professional help. No one is plotting against you. You are your own worst enemy, Luca.”

His maniacal laughter filled the tension in the air. “Says the crazy bitch who can’t even remember what she did last year. Have you ever considered the answer to Aiden’s disappearance lies somewhere in that fucked up brain of yours? Hmm…” He pressed his lips together. “Look inward before you accuse me of shit.”

“That’s enough,” Arlo growled.

“Both of you need to settle down and sort out your differences,” Pops commanded.

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