Page 25 of Betrayed in the Dark
“Welcome, gentlemen.”
My eyes lock with none other than Enzio Manacorda, Alastor’s stepbrother, who sits in his wheelchair behind his desk. He motions toward the empty chairs across from him. “Please take a seat.”
Leo and I exchange glances before both of us settle into our chairs.
“You may leave now, George,” Enzio instructs the guard behind us. “We have business to discuss, and I won’t require your assistance.”
“Of course, sir.” George steps back into the elevator right before the doors close behind him.
For the first time since entering the club, we’re immersed in deafening silence.
“Well, I must say, I’m a bit disappointed that your brothers didn’t join you,” Enzio remarks, leaning back in his chair and scratching at the stubble over his chin. “It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen them.”
“We didn’t want things to become too…boisterous,” Leo replies.
“Boisterous?” He glances between us, steepling his fingers. “Well, color me intrigued. Why have you come to see me? Vincenzo didn’t give me much information except that it was an urgent matter.”
“It is,” Leo states. “It’s a pressing family matter that we can’t put off any longer.”
Enzio eyes the gold rings on his fingers. “And when you say a family matter, you mean—”
“The wedding’s not happening,” I interject, getting straight to the point.
Enzio freezes for a moment before cautiously placing his hands on the arms of his chair. “I see.”
“As you can imagine,” Leo continues, “my brothers and I are not pleased with the upcoming nuptials. Alastor is not exactly who we would choose for our dear sister, which is why we intend to put a stop to this.”
Enzio nods in understanding. “He is not someone any brother would want their sister to marry.” He glances at me. “And how do you fit into this?”
I offer a sly smirk. “I’m merely the bodyguard.”
Enzio raises an eyebrow, clearly perceiving more behind my remark. “And what’s stopping me from going straight to Alastor with your plans?”
“You could,” Leo says. “I mean, you could pick up the phone right now and call him, but you won’t.”
“What makes you so certain?”
Leo offers a half shrug. “Because it seems we both have something to gain from working together instead of against each other.”
“Perhaps.” Enzio taps a finger on the arm of his chair, deep in thought. “I’m just trying to decide if I can trust you.”
“The feeling’s mutual,” I voice.
Enzio’s eyes narrow. “And if I help you with this matter, what’s in it for me?”
Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees. “Look, we’re stopping this wedding from happening one way or another—whether you help us or not. But we’re men of our word, so if you help us with our problem, we’ll vow to help you with yours.”
Enzio’s brow raises, curiosity flashing over his eyes. “By helping me with my problem, you mean…”
“Doing whatever it takes to get you back on your precious throne.”
His gaze drifts between me and Leo, letting a moment of silence pass before he lets out a heavy sigh. “Fine. Not like there’s much left for me to lose at this point.”
“All right.” I drag my fingers through my hair. “Now that we have that out of the way, let’s start by you telling us what we need to know. Preferably from the beginning. We don’t want any details left out.”
He nods, adjusting the sleeves of his jacket. “As most know, I am—or should be—the rightful heir to the Manacorda Empire. But about a year ago, that all changed. On the day Alastor and Madeleine’s engagement was announced, I was, how should I say, dethroned from my rightful place in this family. No longer in the running for CEO.” He sighs. “It was a position I had spent my whole life preparing for, and just like that, it was taken from me.”
“Why?”
