Page 89 of Goldrage
“Of course, Mr. Harrow.”
Their tone carries an acknowledgment of what I am in their eyes now: the only legitimate heir to the Harrow empire. It’s not what I ultimately want, but it will assist with my plans.
I walk past them without acknowledging the significance of their reaction to me, though my mind races with the implications. If the guards are already defaulting to my authority, how long before the rest of the organization follows? How long before this powder keg explodes?
Not long. Which means if I’m going to act, it has to be now.
As I walk through the mansion searching for Valentine, I’m suddenly aware of just how many curious gazes are around me. Three guards in the main hallway; they straighten as I pass but make no move to stop me. A maid scurries by with fresh linens, keeping her eyes downcast. Even the household staff can feel the shift in power, the tectonic plates of our world grinding against each other.
I’m sure all of them know the truth by now. And once word spreads beyond these walls—and it will, secrets this explosive never stay contained—the other Consortium families will smell blood in the water. The Harrow name has kept them in line through fear and respect. But a bastard heir? A leader whose very blood is a lie?
They’ll tear us apart.
I find Valentine in the east wing,standing guard outside Aurelia’s room with the exhaustion of a man who hasn’t slept in days. The older man’s face shows every one of his years, grief and guilt etched into lines that seem to have deepened overnight.
“Valentine,” I say quietly. “I need you to bring Aurelia to the medical examination room. And bring a laptop, one with a secure connection. What I’m about to discuss can’t be overheard by anyone on the estate. The medical room is the most isolated space we have access to.”
Valentine snaps to attention and nods.
Twenty minutes later, I find myself hunched over a laptop screen with Valentine and Aurelia beside me, the medical room’s sterile white walls providing a stark backdrop for what feels like a war council. On screen, Lorenzo and Eleanora are in Lorenzo’s study, while Gideon is in a small room with a lot of shelves and computer equipment. Lorenzo looks uncharacteristically serious, Eleanora has her usual sharp focus, and Gideon’s features are pale as usual. The man looks like he rarely ventures outside.
“I know this isn’t ideal timing,” I begin without preamble, my voice carrying the weight of decisions that could reshape the entire criminal landscape of the Pacific Northwest. “But we’re past the point of waiting for perfect conditions. Julian’s parentage is common knowledge among the estate staff. It’s only a matter of time before this information reaches the other families. Whenit does, Julian’s claim to leadership becomes illegitimate, and my plans become much more difficult.”
“How long do we have?” Eleanora asks.
“A few days at most. But there’s a Consortium gathering planned for three days from now—Antonio Castellano’s eightieth birthday. It’s scheduled to be held at his estate, but Valentine can speak with them so it’s held here. He’ll tell them the Harrows will pay for everything, so I’m sure they’ll agree. The preparations should distract Lady Harrow. All the major families will be in attendance, celebrating what they think is just another milestone. We’ll instruct our guards to whisper about Julian’s parentage when the timing is right. It should create a pressure cooker that will explode once I trigger my plan to take effect.”
Gideon is calm and says, “Valentine helped me cut off all communication signals around the estate. As long as your guards don’t leave, they won’t be able to gossip any sooner.”
I glance at Valentine, who nods.
“Perfect. At the party?—”
“Lolo! Lolo!” a small voice shouts behind Lorenzo.
He bows his head in apology and then lifts Roby onto his lap. My heart swells at seeing the boy; it’s been too long.
Aurelia’s face lights up and she waves at the screen. “Hi, Roby!”
“Ciumachella!” Roby squeals. “I miss you. What’re you talking about?”
Aurelia and I laugh at his innocence.
Before Aurelia can respond, Lorenzo kisses Roby’stemple and says, “You’ll see your cousin soon. Wave goodbye for now and then go play outside. Can you do that?”
Roby’s shoulders hunch and his chocolate brown eyes dim, but he nods. “Bye.”
“Bye!” Aurelia says as she waves. “I’ll see you soon, I promise. We’ll be home soon.”
Home.She’s correct; Lorenzo’s estate feels more like home than any place I’ve ever lived. Now more than ever, I can’t wait to return to it with the woman I love.
Once Roby is gone, Lorenzo says, “Apologies. You were saying?”
“Yes…” It takes me a second to regain focus. “We’ll use the rumors about Julian to our advantage. When word starts trickling through the party, when people begin to panic about leadership, that’s when we strike. I’ll have all of my contacts on standby and ready to act. While they’re distracted by the immediate crisis, we start toppling dominoes. “
On paper, my plan is solid. For months, Bianca’s family fortune has helped me gather resources and allies. I’ve amassed weapons and trained soldiers. And, thanks to Lorenzo’s connections, I’ve recruited quite a few Italian families who operate with different moral codes than the Consortium. These families run legitimate businesses—agriculture, wineries, restaurants, hotels—alongside arms dealing and training elite security forces. They oppose human trafficking and drug distribution, viewing those things as dishonorable. I’ve promised them expanded territory and business opportunities inAmerica once the Consortium falls, in exchange for help at the appointed time.
As far as the main Consortium families who need to be destroyed…
