Page 71 of The Devil's Heir
"Oh? Why may I ask, was she not? Is she not part of this household?"
"Yes, but she's not part of why I have you all here. I made the decision, and that's the end of it."
"Fair enough." The older guy bows his head before moving on.
"Jarek, who was that?" I ask, not knowing if I'm overstepping.
"That is someone that I wish I didn't have to associate with. It's Carlos Greco, Carmen's uncle. He's the only reason why she's still alive." He glowers at Carlos' back.
"I see."
"You don't have to worry about him, but if he doessay or do anything, come to me immediately, understand?"
"Of course."
He gives my side a quick squeeze before greeting the next guest. Looking around the room, I notice that only men have been invited to this dinner party. I don't know if I should be relieved or nervous.
When the last of the guests arrive, Jarek takes a turn around the room with me on his arm. Once dinner is about to be served, he leads me into the formal dining room, where I stop short at the display in the corner.
There, in all her glory, is Sasha in the cage.
"Master, please, I am sorry. I will not bother Liliana again…" Her words go ignored as Jarek walks us past the cage to the other end of the table.
"What is she doing in here?" I ask, glancing back at her as my brow furrows.
"She's finishing her punishment," he answers.
"Please, Jarek. I'm uncomfortable seeing her like that. It's not right." I plead.
"She shouldn't have touched what was mine. She knows the consequences of her actions. Do you think this is her first time in the cage?"
I deflate. As much as I can't stand the woman, this is not what I would wish on her or any person. The degradation is tenfold if you ask me. When I try pleading with my eyes, not wanting to argue in front of guests, Jarek gives me a stern look and a slight shake of his head.
I'm not to argue with him on this.
Placing my hands in my lap, I keep my eyes downward. I'm fuming right now. Shouldn't it be up to me how Sasha should be punished? I am the one she attacked, and I don't care what Jarek says; I'mnothis.
"Liliana," Jarek says my name with a low and irritated voice. "I must insist you eat and smile for my guests. We will discuss this later."
It takes all that I have to make my lips curve upwards and glance around at all the men. Most have their eyes on the cage, carrying on a conversation about it with their neighbor sitting next to them. The only pair of eyes on me belong to Carlos Greco.
"So, Falcon, are you ever going to tell us about this beauty here, or are we just supposed to soak her in all evening," one of the other guests asks as he smiles at me.
I don't know anybody else besides the Lonzos, Koval, and Elliot, Jarek's other two capos. I'm between Jarek and Lonzo senior, so I'm not too scared at the moment, but my nerves have yet to calm enough to actually enjoy the evening.
Jarek clears his throat as he wipes his mouth with his linen napkin. "I called you all here because each of you is from an important family. Families that are my allies. As most of you know, my late uncle's will states that I must conceive my first heir by the end of my first year."
Jarek holds his hand out, indicating that I take it, so I reluctantly bring my hand up from my lap and place it in his. He brings it to his lips and places a lingering kiss on my knuckles before continuing.
"Liliana and I have known each other since high school. She went away for a few years, and when she returned, I knew I couldn't let her slip away again. To make a long story short, we are actively trying to conceive."
Cheers and claps go all around the table, but one man doesn't look all that happy. Greco.
Jarek raises his hands for silence, and all the guests oblige as if he's the Messiah.
I scoff inwardly.
"With that being said, any threat against her is a threat against me and the future heir of this empire. She is to be protected as I would protect your women. If anyone here has a problem with this, now is your chance to speak up."
