Page 2 of When Sinners Hate

“What more do you need? It would do you well to fend for yourself. You have the meeting with the Cortezes tomorrow. Do you think you’ll be spending all your time here or getting to know your soon-to-be husband?”

“I’m still an Ortega, even after they take my name from me. And until then, I’d like to be treated as such. You can have your driver deal with my bags. I’ll find my own room.”

Ten minutes of searching and the eventual room I pick, from the half dozen available, is quite lovely. Decorated in neutrals, with plenty of space and light, there’s nothing to complain about except being stuck here with my father. It’s beena long time since we’ve lived in the same house, and my nerves are already fraying. I suppose it’s a lesson in patience.

The driver does deliver my bags, and I take a shower and clean up before dinner.

As anticipated, Father hasn’t discussed the finer details of the plan he’s been working on to align us with the Cortez family. Although, what more specifics do I need other than I’m meant to marry one of them as a sign of commitment and allegiance?

An hour or so later, a meek, older woman appears at the door, announcing that dinner is ready. I nod, and she retreats quickly, giving me time to check my outfit in the floor-length mirror before heading down. The staircase is certainly a feature of the house; at the bottom, the housekeeper is waiting to show me through to the dining room.

Father is sitting at the head of the table with a place setting on either side of him.

A little macabre for my liking.

I don’t sit on his right. That was Nicolas’ seat and clearly still is, even though he’s dead.

As I take my seat, he pours a glass of red wine.

“I’d like to go over the arrangements I’ve put in place with Melena.”

“Ah yes, my mother-in-law. How is the witch?”

“You’ll watch your tongue around her. I know you joke, but she isn’t to be underestimated.” He doesn’t look at me but simply picks up his silverware as the plates are laid in front of us.

“Will you please stop treating me like some weak woman. Melena Cortez is the matriarch of the family. Don’t worry, I’ll watch my back.”

“Once you’re married, I’ll begin to explore the haulage and transport options that Cortez will open to us. They’ll have their own arrangements for us, I’m sure. But with us as a united front—”

I roll my eyes. He only sees one side of this plan. “Your short-sighted ambition is your downfall, Father. You and Nicolas spent far too long trying to conquer the world in your own ways. But you never could see the right way to do it.”

He slams his knife down on the table, rattling the glasses. “And you have come to this conclusion, Alexia? You, who has had so much experience.”

“Yes. You want an alliance with the Cortez family. Expand our strength with theirs.”

“Yes. That was my plan and the one you’ll help me achieve. Although Nicolas didn’t see it as I do.”

“And even after what they have done to your precious Nicolas, you still want to honour the agreement?” I test him, wondering if he’ll ever see what is coming.

“We will never be a rival to the Cane empire alone.” He raises his voice as if that can intimidate me.

“And Cortez won’t either. They don’t want to take that on. Why would they?"

“But us together – no one would challenge us.” He boasts as if simply joining our business empires will suddenly threaten our biggest competition.

“Possibly. Possibly not,” I muse, slicing through the grotesquely under-cooked steak on my plate and taking a bite. “It’s still a risk. And will depend on how much influence you can gain over Melena. That’s on you.”

“You doubt me?” he questions.

“If we play this right, we’ll get everything we want and more.” He narrows his eyes at me. “Revenge.” I purr. “Simple. Calculated. And it will be the undoing of the Cortez family and our making.”

He studies me for a moment as if I said something that genuinely made him think. “You want revenge?” His scoff turns my stomach.

“Why don’t you?” I spit. “He was your son. You’re willing to risk another heir?”

“You aren’t an heir, Alexia. You’re my daughter and will do as I say.” His fat fingers wrap around my arm as he grabs me and squeezes, but I’m past that. I shrug him off.

“You will be sorry you don’t see me as more because I’m going to hand you both the Cortez business and our revenge on a plate. And they won’t see it coming.”

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