Page 56 of Iron Crown

“To make it official,” I said, putting a kinder spin on what Eugenio would have made his daughter do.

Toconsummatethe engagement.

“I am a jealous man,” he said, shaking his head. “She banished me from her side, trying to protect me. Can you believe it? Her, such a sweet young thing, trying to protect a blaggard like me?”

He laughed, and I tried to join in, only managing a small snort in agreement.

“Sweet Cosa. She told me that we would never see one another again. She said that we should be strangers from then on.” His humor disappeared, and he frowned again. “When that did not work, she called me every cruel name she could. She said I was too old, too weak. She said I disgusted her.”

His eyes lifted to me, and he shrugged.

“My Cosa knows how to twist the knife.”

If I hadn’t before, I certainly knew after today… the way she attacked my wife was vile.

“I was in such a rage… such a rage…” He looked so defeated.

He had long stopped savoring the drink like a sweet nectar. Now downed it the way a drunk downed whatever cheap swill they could get their hands on.

“I was glad to see my nephew disappear. I had thought about ridding the world of him for a long time.” Morelli had started swaying again. “I was glad to not have… participated. Not only for you, but for myself. It would have been another sin I committed against Cosima.”

We sat in silence for a while. I had run out of things to say.

No, that wasn’t quite right. I had plenty of things to say, but none of them could change the course that we were on. I could not turn the ship around. We could not turn back time and make better choices.

He looked genuinely remorseful, as he finally said, “I don’t know how we came to such a situation. You and me, sitting and drinking together. It would have been impossible three years ago.”

He picked up his glass. He drank it quickly, before pouring himself another.

“You’re a decent man, Eoghan Green.” Again, the slur was gone, and I sat up straighter, narrowing my eyes and looking for the signs that the wine had done its work. “I hope you, and not one of your lackeys, will be the one to kill me.”

“Does it matter who pulls the trigger?”

“I suppose not,” he said, looking to the side. “Though it would be nice to see one friendly face before I burn in the eternal pit.”

“Well, I’m sure I can accommodate that for you.” At least that was a promise I could keep.

“I thank you.” He chuckled. Then he squinted, looking around as if he was missing something. “Have you seen Algernon?”

Fuck.

“No, I haven’t.”

Chapter sixteen

Keeping Secrets

Kira

Kieran and I sat on the other side of the door, just… listening.

The basement was cold and damp. This part of the house was obviously seldom used. But this door… it was metal and wood, like a dungeon. The light from inside glowed a soft gold. Kieran sat beside the door on a chair with his legs out.

I had tried to go to bed, frustrated about being ignored, but then I couldn’t sleep. Not without knowing what the hell was going on. So I wandered the house, checking every room, until I heard voices when I ventured into the basement. Now, I was here. The muffled voices inside were in a casual conversation. One voice was Eoghan’s, and the other…

“He’s been in there the whole time?” I gasped in shock.

Kieran looked up at me, then he coughed lightly.

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