Page 130 of Blood Money

“We have the same life,” Nya laments. “We’re taking a family vacation too and I’mnotlooking forward to living in my brother’s shadow for those couple weeks.”

“What about you, Al?” Tara asks. “Got any plans?”

I look up to find her staring at me intently, like what I’m about to say is incredibly important. Narrowing my eyes, I give her a skeptical look.Does she know about this too?

“Yes, I guess,” I say. “I’m going to meet Alexander’s father.” And my own, more than likely. JusthowI’ll meet him is up in the air.

Nya’s mouth falls open. “What? Is he holding you hostage over the break too? I don’t think—”

Tara stops her with a hand on her arm. “I’ll give you the deets later,” she says. “It isn’t so bad that she’s going. Well, not that she’s going with Alexander.” She looks at me. “His father? That’s a different story.”

“I’ve heard he’s horrible.”

Tara nods. My stomach twists. “I’ll be fine.” I don’t entirely believe that, but I’m sure Alexander won’t let anything bad happen to me. “I’m looking forward to it a bit. To see Alexander outside of campus. Get to know what he’s actually like.” That last part was supposed to be a thought, not something I actually said. I try to shift the conversation before they dig into it. “We should plan a girls’ trip for the next break.”

Nya’s eyes light up. “I wouldlove that.”

“I’ve always wanted to have one of those crazy experiences like in the movies,” Tara says. “I’ve never had girlfriends that I like as much as you guys. I would die before I went on a vacation with my old friends.”

“Are you thinking of tropical or winter vibes?” Nya’s tapping away on her phone. “I’ll make a Pinterest board.”

“Tropical, definitely,” I say.

Our food comes, and we spend the next hour planning our future trip. Though we haven’t settled on a location, we’ve narrowed it down to either an island in Europe or somewhere in the east, like Thailand or Bali.

Nya and Tara have latched on to the idea so much that I barely have to do any talking, just like I had hoped. Where we go doesn’t really matter to me. I’d be happy just to be there with them.

When our meals are finished and the bill is paid, I stand to go to the restroom.

One moment I’m on my feet, and the next I’m tumbling to the floor, my head spinning. A wave of nausea hits me, and I struggle not to puke my lunch on the floor. Tara’s hands are on my shoulders, Nya’s palm rubs circles into my back.

“That’s it,” Tara says, a definitive edge to her voice. “We’re taking you to the doctor.”

THIRTY-FIVE

ALEXANDER

It’s finally here.

By this time tomorrow, I’ll know if all the sacrifices I made were in vain. I’ll know if the goal I’ve dreamed of for the past three years will finally be mine. I’ll know if I’m worth it.

To say I’m nervous is an understatement—I haven’t been able to eat, I barely got any sleep last night, and I’m not sure tonight will be any better. I spent the day in my mum’s cabin, mostly just thinking.

About life, and other things.

I’ve never felt more sure of my purpose than I do right now.

When I first thought of becoming a part of the Kingmaker Society, I can admit that it wasn’t for the right reasons. At the time, I wanted the power and notoriety that came from belonging to one of the world’s most exclusive secret societies. I wanted to one day have the resources to extricate my mum’s killer from whatever shadows have kept him hidden.

It felt like the natural progression of things.

My father hated me because I was more like my mum. Attending Saint Frederic University instead of going straight into the family business was my way of showing him he couldn’t control me. Becoming a part of the Kingmaker Society was next on that list, because it would makememore feared than him.

If Graham hadn’t defected, maybe I would have seized the Empire from them too, after a while—just because I could. Just to prove I was capable of more than father ever gave me credit for.

It’s the one thing money can’t buy.

Now that I’ve met Alize, the goal of becoming part of the Kingmaker Society has more meaning. I would always be able to protect her, no matter what happens. Without the power and connections of The Society, succeeding my father will be a death sentence for us both.

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