Page 145 of Downfall

He’s with them.

My adrenaline spikes as I realise thisisa conspiracy. A ploy to get me away from Roman and back under their control.

“…Except we have a problem with that don’t we?” Darius voice carries and the words make me pause. I lean further into the door, though anxious not to give myself away.

“Roman Montague to be exact.” It’s my father who replies. Just the mere tone of his voice sets my nerves on edge.

“Yes Ignatio.” Darius says. “But this is your fuck up. Your mistake in not eliminating him years ago. “ There’s a pause, like Darius is weighing something up. “It will cost you this time.”

“Fine.” My father replies. “Name your price.”

“Rose.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard. I want your daughter. That’s my price.”

I hear the leather of the chair squeak and I can imagine it, my father leaning back, probably smirking as well. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.” Darius says.

More silence. More weighted moments.

“If she’s worth so much to you why let your nephew marry her? Why not ask for yourself all those years ago?”

Darius shrugs. “Calvin wanted that. Besides she was a girl then. Barely anything of note. But now your little Rose has grown on me.”

“So what, you’ll marry her? Marry your nephew’s widow?” My father doesn’t sound shocked, it just sounds more like he’s confirming the plan. Shoring it up. Ensuring he understands all the parts in play.

“Bigger scandals have happened in the past. We’ll play the angle of me comforting her and us falling in love. The masses will soak that shit up and with her on my arm it will help secure my re-election.”

My father laughs. “I see you’ve thought this through then.”

“Why do you think we’re here?” He replies. “Rose will be my wife. And you, Ignatio, will be the Capulet who actually defeated the Montagues.”

There’s a pause there and I can feel it, the way my father likes that idea.

“Fine. But I want a contract written up.” My father states. “I want this all in writing. All my business interests are to be protected, and whatever businesses the Montagues have, I want that too.”

Darius nods his head waiving his hand. “The lawyer can do it.”

“Fine.” My father says. “And I won’t be held responsible if Rose goes AWOL.”

Darius laughs. “Don’t worry about that, she’ll be going nowhere after today. Nowhere but my bed that is.”

“Roman won’t like it.” My father muses. “You’ll have to deal with him quickly.”

Darius waves his hand dismissively. “It’s in hand. I know he’s sniffing around.”

“Do not underestimate him.” My father says. “Because it’s more than just sniffing. They had a fling, years ago and it’s obvious he’s still keen.” My father says. As if it was just that, something inconsequential, as if the repercussions of it are not still evident, as if Lara doesn’t even exist.

“Rose and Roman? A Capulet and a Montague?” Darius says half disbelieving it.

“Does it change your mind? That my daughter fucked him?”

Darius laughs. “No. Rose fucked my nephew too, and pretty soon she’ll be riding my cock just as happily.”

My father doesn’t comment at that. I know he’s not offended though. That’s all I am to him. A possession to sell. A hole to fuck.

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