I don’t think Vincent would ever let that happen, but it’s no longer his decision—it’s Lennox’s. And if he thinks it will get him better standing with these men, I’m not sure the lengths Lennox would go to get more power.
Lennox stops, forcing me to come to a halt.
The fury splashed on Lennox’s face is stronger than I’ve ever seen it.
He turns and grabs the man’s hand, while never letting go of mine. The audible sounds of hand bones cracking precede the man’s howl of pain.
“Do. Not. Touch. My. Wife,” Lennox demands. He looks around the room. “That goes for all of you. Touch her, and I’ll kill you. I don’t care who you are.”
And then Lennox punches the man so hard his unconscious head slams against the conference table in a thud.
The room is silent.
No one speaks.
I look to Vincent, who gives a tight smile in Lennox’s direction. It’s what Vincent would have done in the situation.
Lennox leads us to our chairs, and we sit, while Hayes and Gage stand behind us like bodyguards.
Vincent starts. “Edoardo called this emergency meeting, so he has the floor.” Vincent gives him an annoyed look. I’m guessing this better be important, or Edoardo will probably end up dead on the floor.
Lennox continues to grip my hand, but he doesn’t look or speak to me. He’s eagerly staring at Edoardo to get on with it.
“I’ll get right to the point. We are being infiltrated. An enemy is trying to find our weaknesses, and I’m not sure if Lennox is up for the job of keeping Rialta and the Corsi line safe,” Edoardo says.
Lennox looks like he’s going to kill Edoardo—so does Vincent.
“I assume you have some kind of evidence for your claims?” Vincent asks.
Edoardo slides a picture to Vincent. He studies it for a second, and then slides it toward Lennox and me.
I force myself not to react, but my heart rate takes off like a rocket. It’s a picture of Kit and me kissing outside his apartment. It’s grainy, so it’s hard to make out who the man is, but it’s us embracing and kissing.
“This photo was taken earlier this evening. Either Rialta was kidnapped tonight, and we weren’t all informed, or Lennox has been loaning her out before an heir has been produced. Either way, it risks the Corsi line.”
Shit.
I was so stupid. The one thing Lennox required of me was to be discreet. I could keep Kit as long as he was the only one who knew about it. I fucked up by being seen with him.
And now, I have no idea how we are going to get out of this mess.
Lennox could end up dead because of me, and so could Kit. I don’t know how to save either of them.
Hayes peers over my shoulder.
“Sorry, um, but that’s a picture of me,” Hayes says suddenly.
All eyes snap to him.
“I’m used to getting to share Lennox’s girls or at least getting a taste. I wasn’t thinking when I kissed her.” Hayes takes off his glasses and lifts his shirt to reveal multiple deep bruises I didn’t notice before. “Lennox ensured I paid the price for it, and I won’t be making that mistake again.”
Lennox gives Hayes the tightest of nods.
Hayes has saved us. He was there tonight, so if anyone looks into it further, it will make sense. He’s currently wearing a dark hoodie similar to what Kit was wearing in the photo. And the hood is up, so it’s impossible to tell who I’m kissing.
Lennox glares at Edoardo. “As you can see, I have everything under control. Rialta is safe andmine. And you’ll have your Corsi heir within the year. It’s late. Everyone is dismissed. And next time you call an emergency meeting late at night, make sure it is actually an emergency.”
He yanks me up, and we all walk out of the room before anyone can question his authority.