ly

d-scented glasshouse I had just left. I stood before the vanity, adjusting my

precise. "Gwen demanded he use his Soldiers to oust Doris and the Elder from t

es in the mirror.

rk and the Elders' backing. He won't start a civil war just to satisfy

" I mu

inally breaking. "Exa is giving the East Wing Villa to that cheap

household, hissed sharply. "In this estate, sh

She is tied to the Capo dei Capi." I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "Do you know what happens to a Soldier who insults a Don's Goomar? They are dragged to

g out on her forehead. She bowed her head, h

ay our evening respect

r glow of vintage sconces. I paused in the shadows

leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette, his face a ma

orbin marched forward in his custom tailored sui

n tilted in arrogant defiance de

exhaling a plume of smoke. "After you, little bo

ng inside. After a moment, Gwen's strained voice

to the cracked

Gwen's bitter voice drifted out, "why didn

. She has no right to step foot in core family gatherings, nor does she pa

entire estate is treat

ered, his adherence to the Syndicate's absolute laws chill

unding entirely too old for his ag

s. "Enough. Jacob, go handle your under

to the Elder anywa

st as the heavy mahog

I could see the disgust rolling off him in waves. Kiana had undoubtedly filled his head with venom-painting me as a manipulative politician who swindled hi

s aura flared as he broke eye contact and walked rig

. I simply smoothed the fabric of m