Alessio
Uther Galitze, Camille's father. The monster.
The fucking monster who killed my mother. He thought he killed me too when he set the barn on fire that night so long ago in Russia.
He's staring at me. Afraid of me now, because he knows what I could do to him with just one word.
Since death is too good for people like him, I planned a special punishment.
A special game, like the ones he used to play with me that made me fear for my life. The game begun today as he walked his daughter down the aisle, knowing from our little encounter days ago what was going to happen to her next.
"You, Leif. You knew about this. Didn't you?" Richard spits, glaring at Leif. "You planned this."
"I did." Leif sets his shoulders back. Unfazed by Richard's rage, he stares at him as if he's ready to charge like a wild bull. He might be sixty, with a head and beard full of gray hair, but he can still snap any motherfucker in half no matter their age.
"How the fuck could you do this to me?"
Leif gives him a hard stare. "I suggest you stand down and remember I still hold the authority here, until it passes."
That tones Richard right down because he knows what's at stake for his defiance. Under the Rites of Inheritance, Leif will never inherit the empire or the position of Sovientrik to the Pakhan. But he acts as an executor would, holding all the authority and decision-making power while the inheritance is being transferred.
"I'm aware of that, Uncle."
"Good, then we should relocate to the meeting room and talk, away from the guests." Leif gestures to the door on our left.
"I agree, unless you want the audience." I spread my arms wide, showing I don't care one way or the other. "I'll happily talk out here."
I don't mind spilling all the dirty family secrets and explaining how I became the black sheep of the family.
"Let's go to the meeting room," Mira agrees.
"Perfect." I cut her a glance and give her a crude smile.
Of course, my father's wife wants to talk in private. I've already embarrassed her in front of her nearest and dearest. Everyone here today would have been important members from the Knights and the Komarovski. They'll have questions, but most of all, I've tainted the prim and proper image Mira Scarfoni seems to be upholding.
I know she's probably as nice as she appears to be. But sometimes the good must unavoidably suffer with the bad.
As if on cue, my two personal guards, Jayce and Zane, come in from my right.
"Zane, please see the guests out." I point to the door I used to enter. "And, Jayce, take the girl to my house."
"What?" Camille suddenly finds her voice. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Sorry, Princess, but you are." I give her a daring smile, willing her to defy me.
She looks away, turning to Richard. When he gives her a defeated shake of his head, she rushes over to her father. "Dad, don't let him take me."
Uther slips an arm around her. "It will be okay." His voice is soothing and so unlike the man he was years ago.
"How can it be okay?"
"Camille, please. Just go with them. I will sort this out as fast as I can."
Sort out? Oh no, no, no.The prick shouldn't make promises he can't keep or give her hope when there is none. He already knows there's nothing to sort out. All cards have been laid on the table, and decisions have been made.
Camille is mine, no matter what anyone says or tries to do to set her free.
"Okay?" Uther cups her cheeks and leans in closer, making a lock of his shaggy gray hair fall over his eye.
Camille glances at me then looks back at her father, nodding reluctantly. "Okay."
"I will walk you to the car."
Jayce makes his way to them, and this time when Camille looks over her shoulder, she stares at Richard. The man who almost became her husband.
Is that love in her eyes?
Most likely. If it is, love just makes this vendetta that much sweeter. Perfectly in keeping with the saying that revenge is a dish best served cold.
Zane ushers the guests out as I watch Camille go, wishing I could take her home myself. Seeing my new toy later will, however, have to do. My job here isn't finished yet.
When I turn back to face my father's family, I don't miss the hatred in Richard's eyes.
"This way, everyone." Leif gestures to the door again and leads the way out.
Mira, Richard, Zakh, and Malik follow him.
Triumph surges through me as I trail behind and acknowledge that I have everyone right where I want them. Even my father on his deathbed.
I've waited a long time to share my story and avenge my mother's death.
I'm no longer the helpless boy who was kept a secret.
I'm Alessio Scarfoni. The man. And their reckoning.
CamilleThe wedding is off.God, what a nightmare.And now I'm being taken to Alessio Scarfoni's house.The thought weakens me, and I feel so fragile I fear I may shatter into a million pieces.Thank God Dad's arm is still around me. If he weren't holding me up and moving us down the corridor toward the car, I don't think I could do it myself.The echo of my heels against the marble floor is a welcome distraction from the turbulence in my mind, but I can't stop myself from freaking out about what will happen to me. And Richard. I've never seen him look so defeated, and so powerless.I'm desperately trying to hold it together, but I can't.How the fuck must I? What the hell are the chances of my life being ruined by Richard's long-lost brother? And surely, he can't be serious about marrying me.Every time I try to process it, I feel like I'm losing my mind.But when we walk past the stunning hall decorated for the reception, my heart gives a hard squeeze. From the rose-gold tablecloths
AlessioLeif takes us to the closest meeting room, which is just as ornate as the rest of the building.I'm the last to enter and close the door. My guests don't sit. They stand together facing me, waiting for answers."Well, start talking," Richard demands."Yes, I'm eager to find out how I have another brother I never knew about," Malik says, and Zakh nods."My mother was Fryeda Polinsky," I begin. "She and our father grew up together in Moscow. He was with her before your mother." I pause, glancing at Mira, who looks more ghostly than before. Leif told me everything about the past and never shied away from the possibility that Mira was at least aware Mom existed and was involved with my father. She didn't know about me, though. No one did. "They broke up when he was promised to Mira, but he didn't know she was pregnant with me. She didn't tell him until I was twelve. However, things didn't go as expected. She didn't know that my existence as his firstborn son threatened his busines
AlessioWhen we reach the end of the corridor, I stop when my name is called. It's Uther.He rushes up to me, out of breath. His face is red, and his eyes are filled with panic."This can't work. You can't take my daughter. She's an innocent in this." He shakes his graying head, contorting his face so his scar becomes more pronounced. "There must be something else I can do."I give him a radiant smile, enjoying his trepidation the way he enjoyed mine when he tried to kill me. "Uther Galitze, you know there's nothing else you can do. You also know what will happen if you try."This motherfucker knows my threats aren't empty, nor are they something to be trifled with. I've already taken Camille and his business through the marriage contract. I will also be relieving him of his senior position in the Bratva. Meaning the fucker will lose everything. I would have loved to kick him out completely, but I didn't want to raise any red flags.He knows if I unleash all the serious dirt I have on
CamilleResting my head against the satin wall, I stare at the sea in the distance through the long casement windows. I'd think the intricate carvings in the wood were beautifully designed if I weren't trapped behind them like a bird in a cage.My mother believed patience was the most powerful of virtues.I always agreed. But there are some situations where not even the highest level of patience can help you.Mine is without a doubt one of them.Two hours ago, I arrived at the massive compound of Alessio Scarfoni's mansion on Cape Cod. The house is one of the old-style Tudor homes you'd normally find in Salem, but his is ostentatious and has a haunted vibe.The idea of being in a haunted mansion is creepy enough, but I feel like I'm trapped in one of my nightmares.When I arrived, a rude-looking woman with silver hair and an upturned nose met us on the driveway. Then, without a word, she escorted me to this huge master bedroom I knew straightaway belonged to a man. It's the décor. Dar
CamilleHe walks in, and the door swings shut, the sound of the click lingering like a reminder that I don't know who I'm dealing with.The biker jacket is gone, but he still has the same drifter look, enhanced by the expanse of muscle on his arms, which I can clearly see now, bulging against his fitted T-shirt.My eyes flick to the clothes folded in his hands. I spot a gray T-shirt and something stretchy like yoga pants. I assume those are for me, and my stomach drops.The beginning of a smile tips his full, sensual lips, revealing dimples that make his already handsome face more striking. I stare back at him, trying to figure him out, but I can't. His personality seems to have several things going on, and I'm not sure what part of him I'm going to get.From the predatory vibe emanating from him, I know to stay focused because despite everything, he's dangerous. All the Scarfonis are, but this one is the one to watch.Especially with that rune on his wrist.The only time I've ever se
Panic writhes through me as I realize how much danger I'm truly in, but I still can't think past the terror. All I want to do is get out of here and away from him."I'm not yours." I try to imbue my voice with the strength I summoned before, but it's evident I'm scared."Say whatever you want. Truth is truth. Now change out of that dress and come downstairs for something to eat."I shake my head. "No. I don't want anything from you. I want to go home.""This is your home now.""Fuck you!" I shove at his granite chest, hurting my wrists.He laughs, mocking me again. "Fuck me? Is that a request, Valkyrie?"The pet names—princess, baby girl, and Valkyrie—just enrage me."You fucking bastard. You know it's not a damn request. Let me go.""I said no, and this is the last time I'm going to tell you to take off the dress.""Fuck. You."I don't even get to entertain my next thought. Alessio shoves me hard against the wall, grabs the top of my dress, and tears it right off me like a bodice-rip
CamilleI stare back at him, feeling the weight of my world crumbling all around me. I know there’s nothing I can do to fix it, but I need to know why this is happening.I need to know what Dad did.“What power do you have over my father to do this to us?”“Enough to bury him.” He uses the same icy tone as before. A steel weight drops in my soul, pulling me under. “I have enough for the Knights’ Council to force him to his knees and execute him. And everyone in his family. Starting with you. One word from me, and that’s it—death.”My heart stops like someone switched off all the power. When it starts beating again, it’s pounding faster and faster and faster, and my brain is paralyzed with terror.Dad, what the hell did you do?Execution?For all of us?Him first? No. I can’t lose my father.I can’t.Not that way. Or anyway.“No. Please. Don’t let them kill him.” I’m begging with my heart and soul because this is so much worse than I thought. “Please. I’m sure he’s sorry for whatever h
Alessio.By the gods, Camille Galitze is fucking beautiful.I don’t know how the fuck I’m standing over her perfect naked body with her tits looking as ripe as they do and managing to restrain myself.Me.Me, whose primary hobby includes fucking, is bridling the beast inside that wants to ravage her body.It would be so easy to bend her over the desk and fuck her senseless now that I have her all to myself. We’re not in a room full of people, and she’s not holding Richard’s hand.It’s only us within the four walls of my bedroom and the savage force of wild attraction rippling between us.But business first, then fucking when I see fit. Right now, I’ll settle for my fascination with our attraction, and her fire, which extinguishes as she processes the fact that I have her father under my thumb and she will be my wife in five weeks.“You’re serious about marrying me?” Her voice is weaker now.I’ve watched her go from strong to weak in a matter of minutes. The transition has been fascinat