Page 91 of Scandalous Kingpin
“It’s not over yet.” My words came out slightly slurred, and as I turned over, I saw a double image of my cousin. One Emory on this planet was plenty. Two might just level it.
I blinked, trying to clear my head.
“You should call it a night, Priest,” she suggested, taking a seat next to me, having a perfect view of the monitors. I swiftly exited out of our encounter in the hallway.
I stood up and walked to the window, releasing a heavy breath as I stared at the dark garden outside, the soft hum of the surveillance monitors barely soothing.
“Just admit you want her back,” she said when I remained silent.
“I’ve never denied it, but I need her towantto be here with me.”
“Yes, but maybe you should consider beingtherewith her, because I don’t think Ivy’s coming here and watching hours upon hours of this crap.” She waved a hand toward the monitors. “It’s a waste of time.” My brain was too woozy thanks to the alcohol, making it hard to think. “You know what they say. It won’t happen unless you make it happen.”
“You could use that advice right now, cousin,” I muttered.
She crossed her legs and flipped her hair over her shoulder. “We are not talking about me right now.”
Despite wearing jeans with combat boots most of the time, there was no shortage of men pining after Emory. Of course, good luck to any fucker who tried to get close to her. He would have to get through her brother, Dante, and me first.
“I have an idea,” she offered, but I was too lost in my own thoughts. I tapped my finger against my thigh, then halted as an idea of my own flickered in my foggy mind.
“Do you want to hear it or—” Suddenly, she leaned over, her eyes narrowing on the monitor.
“What is it?” I asked as I strode toward her and retook my seat. But before she could answer, I saw it. Or him, rather. “What in the fuck is Jean-Baptiste doing in Lisbon?”
“My thoughts exactly,” she said.
After a few clicks, I zoomed in and hacked into the public CCTV files too, just to be sure.
“Can we get facial recognition on this?” I asked, and after a few clicks, she had it up.
“It’s him,” she whispered, our eyes darting between two images. It was the same profile, same height and same build.
I tapped the screen. “And he’s got his sights set on my wife.”
Chapter Forty-One
IVY
Louisa’s story—what little she shared with me—was heart-wrenching. Even my brothers, who were rarely affected, appeared to be shaken. Athair had made a grave mistake by leaving the twins—our sisters—amidst wolves. They deserved better.
We were all piled around the massive living room in Louisa and Kingston’s house in Lisbon, where we’d spent the past six hours eating and getting to know each other.
Juliette and Dante had long since given us privacy, although something had them tense, and I didn’t think it had anything to do with our awkward situation over here. Dante received a call about a half hour ago, and ever since then, he’d been roaming the living room, checking every window. It wasn’t long before Kingston was doing the same.
Ignoring their odd behavior, I returned my attention to Louisa, feeling grateful that we’d fallen into a kind of comfort. “I want to help find your twin. Our sister.”
We locked eyes, a wordless exchange of regrets and our parents’ sins swirling around us. I wanted to right the wrongs. Even more, I wanted my sisters to be a real part of my life.
“I’m not sure what we’ll find,” Louisa admitted. “After so many years?—”
Her voice cracked and I reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “From what you’ve told me, she’s strong. A fighter. A survivor.”
“But so many years of torture,” she murmured. “Nobody can come out of that sane.”
“You did,” I pointed out. Her eyes darted to me in surprise. “It might not be the same kind of torture, but it’s just as painful. Your mother put you through hell, mentally abused you, and you survived.”
The ghosts I’d often seen in Christian’s eyes came to life in Louisa’s and my heart ached for the suffering they’d both endured. Fuck, even Christian’s cousins. They’d all paid for their parents’ sins, and I couldn’t help but realize how lucky I was.
