Page 76 of Southpaw Slots
My stomach squeezes into a knot when he outlines his entire platform like it’s his own, and I almost lurch when I see the bottom as he tries to scroll past quickly.“Steal back your future with Steele”and“Your future is as strong as Steele”are typed out plain as day. Fumbling, he keeps scrolling, trying to explain the plans he has. But I don’t hear any of it.
My whole life flashes before my eyes like I’ve died and been reborn in an instant. Now I know. Thingsmake complete sense. And it grips me across the chest like a heart attack.
Clapping my hand on his shoulder, I give him a warm smile, the one I know works like a charm. “I love this. Listen, I think it’s best to stay in your apartment for the week. Only until things settle down with her. Maybe it’s hormones. I just want her to be okay. And I know you do, too.”
There’s a glimmer in his eyes as he freezes, and I think about my handgun sitting in the top of the desk drawer.
“Sure, yeah. Okay, maverick.”
As he leans in to give me a kiss, I move to grip him around the waist and simultaneously lead him from the room. “I’ll call you,” I say, running up the stairs, my pulse pounding as if I’m being chased. When my feet hit the landing, I pull out my phone and text Cass.
Hurrying into the bedroom, I swiftly lock the doors. Arianna peeks out from the bathroom, and I shove an armchair underneath the doorknobs. Making sure the shotgun has shells in it, I glance back at her as she dances from foot to foot.
“Empress? You’re completely right. Let’s go see Cal.”
TWENTY-ONE
ARIANNA
My fingers clutch my husband’s crafted bicep as we walk up the cobblestone path to Von Dovish manor. I haven’t been here since I was a child and only remember it as boring because Livia didn’t have any dolls, but I did like to watch her as a ballerina. She showed me how to twirl and leap. Then I begged Mama for lessons and got them.
Things seemed simple then and I was unafraid. Not like now.
When Asa told me to tell the truth, I reflected on my entire existence. Ever since the age of four, I’ve lived in fear. I lied because I had to in order to survive. Most of my life, I could never be myself. Papa warned me that bad men could come and take me away, so I couldn’t even use my own last name for years. Or someone could find out and takethemaway from me.
And someone did.
Some days, I blame myself because I told a boy at Saint John’s that I was really rich, and he didn’t believe me. So I told him my real name. He acted like he’d never heard it before, but what if he was lying.
What ifIkilled my parents?
“Empress, stop. Whatever your thoughts are right now, you look at me.”
Asa’s calm voice snaps me back to the double glass doors we stand in front of, and I ground myself in his clear blue eyes. “Yes?”
His face is solemn, so assured. I’ve always admired his tenacity and confidence. I feign it, but he’s got it. Or maybe I helped give it to him and gave some up myself. I’m not sure. “I’ve got us. You’re fine. I’ll take care of you.”
My heart melts as his words warm my face. How does he know that’s exactly what I really needed to hear? Tugging me closer to his side, he rings the bell, which makes a long chime as I lean my head against his shoulder.
Is it possible to just be in his skin so I can be closer to him?
A stoic butler greets us at the door and attempts to maintain his composure at the sight of the enemy clan standing on the stoop.
“Are Mr. and Mrs. Von Dovish aware of your visit, sir and madam?”
“Ace?” Cal walks down the stairs behind his staff in sweatpants and socks. He tosses a hoodie over his head as he descends, followed by his wife. Who appears to be pregnant.
“Can I come in?” my husband asks with his puppy dog eyes.
Cal reaches us and stops, shifting awkwardly across from Asa as his wife stands by his side with her arms wrapped around him. If I didn’t know better, it seems she’s scanned every inch of both of us like we’re holding bombs. I watched her disarm Asa in a second a few months ago. If there’s a danger here, she’s it.
“What’s this about?” Cal asks with slight hesitation.
Asa swallows, and his lips press into a tight line. I will some strength into his arm as I squeeze him. “I know you did what you had to do for Ashley. And I understand. I can’t saythank you, but…maybe you did the right thing.” Tears form across the bottoms of his eyelids that glisten in the lamplights near the doors. “But now I need to talk to you about something else.”
Cal’s shoulders relax, and his face softens. Some unspoken empathy seems to travel from his body to Asa’s. He nods. “Of course. Come in.”
Turning as a unit, the Von Dovishes lead us into their living room, and we sit across from them on an ancient loveseat while they take the sofa. Asa opens his mouth, but Cal holds up a finger to quiet him just as a staff member brings in a tray of smallcakes and tea. When she leaves, Cal interrupts and says, “I guess you’re here about Barrington.”