Page 29 of Lethal Vows

“Classic kingpin,” I mock. “Big opinion of yourself and all.”

He slowly leans back and assesses me. I doubt many sound off to him like this, and I wonder if my determination to be free of this life makes me lash out. Or maybe it’s my inability to let any man in court or out of court try to hold reign over me.

“My father was proud, up until the day I killed him, that is.”

“I’m sorry, you what?” I say incredulously. Crue is deadly, matter-of-fact.

“Having the Monti name comes with burdens. Had you stayed around for your own duties, I’m sure you might’ve understood.”

I begin to tap my sharp nail on the table, ready to jump across the surface and strangle this man to death.

He continues, “My father’s downfall was that he polished me as a blade so purposefully that when he noticed his men listening to me more than him, Monti name or not, he planned to kill both of his heirs. He was a man not ready to give up his throne when it was already mine.”

“I don’t believe you,” I deny openly. I might have been away from the politics of my father’s world, but I know, above all, that family matters. Especially a son.

“It’s the truth, princess. I was raised on cruelty, not affection. Affection is something I’ve never needed and why I’ve come as far as I have. So that’s why I don’t need love. I only need marriage. Another contract. One that will equally benefit you.” He raises his glass in cheers before taking a sip.

Despite his arrogance, I can’t imagine what it must have been like to know that your own father put a hit out on you. My father might have been many things, but he would never have done anything like that.

“I feel sorry for you.”

He seems almost confused, that is if he could have such a feeling.

“Your mother didn’t love you,” he says matter-of-factly. Had I not crossed that realization a long time ago I might have almost been hurt. He’s telling me something I already know. My so-called mother has all the traits of a sociopath. She could pretend to care on the outside and mimic social skills so profusely that I’d almost consider her a con woman. But on the inside, she was nothing but a void. Self-serving in every way. Sure, it hurt when I found out about the sizable payments she’d receive from my father regularly for taking me in. But I’d learned to use her to get away from there. So if she profited in the process, good for her.

My father cares, though, despite his hard life and how feared he is. Maybe not to the extent other fathers do, but he still cares. He never showered me with love, though I’m sure Honey gets that. Not from him but from my stepmother. She adores Honey, who never really realizes how lucky she is.

“I didn’t need her love, just her support.”

“To leave the country,” he confirms.

“Yes.”

“You see, we are more alike than you think.”

“We aren’t.”

“If you say so.” He winks as the food arrives and then goes quiet as we eat. Then he looks over at my plate.

The moment passes and I can’t find myself organically able to ask about his mother, who had no mention.

“What do you need for us to get married?” he asks.

I huff out another frustrated breath. For some big-shot kingpin, he certainly sounds a lot like a parrot.

“Why are you so persistent?” I ask.

“Because my alternative is not what I’m after.”

“Alternative?”

“Yes. I’m to be married by thirty-four. It’s expected. Families are expecting a wedding and an heir.”

“And what if you don’t fulfill that expectation?” I ask. “You’re the boss, as you said. Can’t you make new rules?”

He drops his fork and picks up his napkin to wipe his face. “It doesn’t work like that. Yes, I could potentially try to avoid it. But, you see, it all moves so smoothly because of business. They expect certain things, and in return, so do I. The drugs that are cooked, the henchmen who look after all the businesses, expect the family to stay strong, and when you go against the grain, that trust is broken.

“We may walk in and kill them for a late payment, but we still have their respect because, in the end, they know what to expect. These are the rules that have been tied to us since before we were born. Powerful families have contracts with us, including yours, who agreed to this. We unite them by marriage. Then, the next generation will go to another powerful family. It’s all linked in the grand scheme of things. I’m sure your father has told you.”

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