Page 10 of Treasured By Them
Cressilda and Perry were in charge of the gang. Now it’s this guy? Seems like it should be Allen, their son.
“And who are you, then?” Grandfather’s mouth turns down for a fraction of a second. He isn’t pleased that our intel on the Vorsongs was out of date.
“Tate Vorsong.” The man adjusts his cuffs like he’s thoroughly bored.
I shuffle through my mental files on their family. Tate Vorsong isn’t anywhere...until I realize he’s the son of Cressilda’s affair partner. Allen’s half-brother.
“Your last name isn’t Vorsong.” I finally speak. “It’s Karlsson.”
“It’s Vorsong,” he all but snarls.
I hold up my hands. “Okay, sure.”
My grandfather has become extra tense beside me. “Why did you want this meeting?”
“We wanted to tell you face to face.” Tate smirks. “You can start paying rent in our city, or you can leave. Feel free to pass that along to the Aseyevs. I understand your two families are especially close now.”
I hold myself perfectly still. I will not feel too much, I will not react.
“You have no authority here, Tate Vorsong.” Grandfather emphasizes his new last name.
“You’re wrong.” Tate grins. “We have the weapons. We have the numbers. We have your city. Best thing for you to do is get out. Take the Russians with you.”
They might have the weapons and numbers, but they don’t know this city like we do. They don’t have our connections.
They don’t have my ruthless father on their side. He’s already plotting against them. Because like he always says, blood answers with blood.
The two half-brothers turn around and walk away. I’m tempted to give a hand signal to our men, to destroy these two before they can return to San Esteban. An “accident” on the twisty road leading to the highway would be easy enough to arrange.
But I don’t. There’s more to think about than my family’s pride. Our family members. Danica’s family.
And Danica, herself. The Vorsongs know too much about her, too much about us. If we can avoid a war, it’ll be easier to keep her safe.
Danica
My parents don’t often entertain, but tonight their house in Fair Heights is full of people. I think they want to show off for Dad’s friend Malcolm and his girlfriend. Dad and Malcolm have always had a slightly competitive friendship.
“Danica, dear, I hear you’re engaged to be married.” One of my mother’s country club friends, Ghyslaine, corners me in the dining room where I’m refilling my wine glass. She usually stands way too close when she talks to me, and tonight is no exception. I can see every individual strand of her blond hair and every one of her eyelashes. Her breath smells like too-sweet rosé.
“Yes.” I take a subtle step away from her. “The wedding is at the end of the month, actually.”
“Oh, that’s soon.” She lets out a trill of laughter and flicks her gaze to my stomach. “Is there a particular reason for the rush?”
Ghyslaine needs gossip like regular humans need air.
“No particular reason, just love—so much love.” The lie doesn’t taste as bad in my mouth as it would have a month ago. I do wish we weren’t rushing toward marriage, but I’ll do my part if it can keep my family safe.
Because the Aseyevs couldn’t keep Jon safe. I stifle a shudder. He was right there, just in front of my house.
The Aseyevs “cleaned it up” so no police were involved. Elias had no idea a murder took place within view of his bedroom. Porch and door cameras shouldn’t have caught anything. Just in case, though, the Aseyevs went through and bought footage off the neighbors across the street, and the neighbors to either side.
Ghyslaine laughs again. It feels like she’s laughing in my fucking ear. I take another step back and bump into someone.
Turning, I see Malcolm.
“Oh, hey.” I give him a too-bright smile and try to telegraph the words save me with my eyes. I should’ve learned Morse code.
“Dani.” He grins at me through his dark gray beard. “And Ghyslaine, right? I think Kira was looking for you—did she ever find you? Something about a new wine she wanted you to try.”
