When we arrive at headquarters, a battalion rushes out. I raise a finger to my lips to tell everyone to shut the hell up while Kailler makes a throat-cutting motion. Carefully, I unfold from the seat, holding Cora tightly to my chest. She feels too light. I’m going to need to feed her cake every day.
The elevator to the tower floor is too fucking loud, but Cora doesn’t shift. Kailler opens the door to the apartment and then leaves. The space is dead quiet except for the quiet huffs of breath from Cora. I carry her over to the bed, but at the last minute turn to the sofa overlooking the city scape. If I put her in the bed, won’t I have to let her go? I’m not ready for that.
I don’t know that I’ll ever be ready for that. I’ve only got five days left with Cora, and already I’m getting pissed about the idea that she won’t be in this tower room whenever I want to see her. Karin Vieth gave this girl to me, and I don’t see a future where I give Cora back, but how do I keep Cora and not engage in a war with Vieth? How can I touch Cora, devour her, and still avenge Poppy?
In all the years that I’ve been at the top, I’ve never had this dilemma. My word was my bond, and my bond was to Jason Chu, the man who dragged me out of the gutter, educated me, trained me, and taught me the way of the world. He entrusted his legacy to me, and for a decade, I’ve kept to the path without even the slightest temptation to deviate. That this one slight girl has brought me to my knees in a matter of days is humiliating, and yet...I don’t care. I don’t fucking give one single damn what anyone says so long as Cora remains mine.
The solution slides into view so easily that I wonder why I didn’t think of it before. History is replete with disputes solved by the union of two opposite forces. A smile curves across my face for the first time in a long while. I slide Cora off my lap and cover her with a blanket. In my office, I meet with my lieutenants.
“I want a priest here in the next hour.”
“Don’t look at me,” says Kailler. “I’m an atheist.”
“Bran goes to church,” offers Pole.
“It’s Mass, and my priest can’t marry you,” Bran says. “You aren’t Catholic.”
“How much?”
Bran gapes at me. “You’re asking me to bribe Father Regio?”
“Yes. I’ll throw in a little extra so he can say a prayer for my sins.” I give the crew a chin nod to tell them that the conversation is over.
“Should I call Vieth?” Kailler asks.
“No. We’ll inform her when the deed is done.”
“What deed?” Pole blurts out. He’s bewildered, but Kailler’s pleased. She knows what my plan is and approves. She collars Pole and drags him out. Everyone else follows.
Over her shoulder, she says, “You’re going to need flowers and a dress and a ring.”
When I open my mouth to order her to get those for me too, she says, “No. Do it yourself,” and then slams my office door shut.
And so behind the desk that is stained with blood, I call up a jeweler and pay him an exorbitant amount of money to have a tray of rings, a fleet of dresses, and an orchard full of flowers here in one hour.
“Who is getting married, Aidon?” Oliver Sousa asks in his soft Brazilian accent.
“I am.”
There’s a prolonged silence before Sousa says, “May I be the first to offer you congratulations, then.”
“That is absolutely the correct response, Sousa. If you have need of my services in the future, do not hesitate to ask.”
“Very good. Everything will be at the compound in one hour. It is my honor to serve.”
I hang up, steeple my fingers together, and smile again. Soon Cora will no longer be a Vieth.
Chapter14
Cora
“Quiet. She’s sleeping. If you wake her you won’t like the consequences.” I peek open one eye to see one of Aidon’s men standing over by the door. I quickly close it again. A second later I hear the sound of the door opening and then closing again. The room is once again silent. I’m unsure of what to do or what will happen next.
I shouldn't find it sweet that Aidon is snapping at people so they don’t disturb my sleep. I have to remind myself that he’s the devil. Footsteps grow closer to the couch I’ve been sleeping on. I don’t even remember passing out.
I do remember Aidon freaking out about me crying. Trying to buy me off with a champagne cake. I bite the inside of my cheek so I won’t smile. I’d thrown that ridiculous request out there, expecting him to deny it, but instead he had agreed to get it for me.