Page 97 of Scarlet Mark
“Not my first choice, but you’ve proven to be quite rebellious, so they’re fitting.” He toasted me and took another sip.
“You don’t approve of the Scarlet Foundation?” I asked innocently. It was the organization I’d created with the Rose family fortune. “We’ve helped over a thousand trafficking victims this year. I thought you’d be proud. I mean, you did put me in charge, after all.”
He smirked. “Actually, I am proud. I told you it was yours to do with as you pleased, and you have. It’s not what your legacy preferred, but that’s the beauty of painting your own canvas.”
The waiter arrived with Amir’s meal, having been prepared in expectation of his arrival. “Would you like anything, Mrs. Dagger?”
“No, thank you,” I replied, smiling. “I have everything I need.”
Amir dismissed him with a wave and began cutting up his fish. “Your mother would be quite pleased, you know.”
“Would she?”
“Oh, yes.” He took a bite, his eyes closing on a sigh of contentment. “Mmm…” He chewed and swallowed, following it with some more wine. “She always tried to best me, your mother. Failed at every turn because I wasn’t ready then. But I think I might be now.”
“Are you saying she tried to kill you?” I asked, trying to translate his cryptic statements.
He shrugged. “On occasion. It was more that she tried to trick me; it’s why you moved so much as a child. She was hiding you from me.” He chuckled as if amused. “One of the best games of cat and mouse of my lifetime. And I won, of course. She was so mad when I sent you away, but it was for the best. You wouldn’t be who you are today had I not taken those measures.”
“And who exactly do you think I am today?” I wondered.
“A chameleon,” he replied. “You can play the role of a lady, a deviant, a warrior, or even a black widow, all within the span of minutes without breaking stride. You’re walking perfection, Amara. My finest achievement. Which means I can die knowing you’re carrying on the family name the way it deserves to be.” He finished his glass, setting it aside and smiling at me. “The pawn has finally become a queen. And she’s taken down the king.”
I stared at him. “I had no idea you were so fond of riddles.”
But I understood what he was saying.
He knew about the poison in his drink, had accepted it with pride.
“Why?” I asked. “Why drink it?”
“Because it’s that or take a bullet from your Bedivere, and this seems much more peaceful.” He ate another bite of his fish, humming happily in that odd way of his as he swallowed. “It’s my time anyway. You and Taviv are both in a position to lead, meaning I’ve done my job and I can finally accept my fate. My work here is done. And you being here, handing me my death, confirms that.”
“You’re nothing like I expected,” I admitted, confused by his acquiescence. This had to be a trick of some kind, a ploy to lull me into a false sense of comfort.
“The smartest play is always the one others will least expect, Amara.” He picked up his water, taking a long gulp and setting it down, relaxing into his chair on an exhale. It was the only sign that the potassium cyanide was working. It usually took a few minutes to start feeling the shortness of breath, and it appeared to finally be setting in.
He took another short breath and winced. “Will you stay with me? Until the end?”
“Do you want that?” I asked, oddly less enthused about this plan than I had been moments ago.
“I would… like that.” He gave me a weak smile, clasping his hands in his lap. “Tell me… your… next move.”
“Today? Or in general?”
“General,” he replied, his voice raspier than before.
“I… I’m working with Congressman Winters on an anti-trafficking initiative.” I didn’t know why I told him that, but I was proud of the alliance. He was the congressman from the masquerade ball. I learned from looking through Clarissa’s notes that she listed him as a threat because of his policy stances, which made him my immediate ally. “I’m also hoping to expand the Scarlet Foundation internationally.”
He nodded. “G-good.” He seemed pleased, which was fucking weird. “Wh-what else? B-Bedivere?” He convulsed violently, his eyes closing for a moment and then lifting to reveal dilated pupils.
“We have an understanding,” I said. “He does his job, I do mine, and sometimes we work together.” Specifically when it involved a client from Clarissa’s list.
“Y-you’re h-happy?” he stuttered, his throat working hard over the words.
The question gave me pause. Because yes, I was, happier than I’d ever been. And not because of this asshole, but because of Killian.
Except I never would have met Killian had Amir not played me as a puppet in his grand play. So in some sick and twisted way, I owed him for introducing us.
