Page 23 of Relentless Sinner
That seems to please him. “Wonderful. I think we should hold an engagement party next weekend at the Astoria.”
“Sure. I'll get Eve to arrange everything.”
That engagement party is not for my benefit. It's more like his last chance to show off our wealth to family, friends, and associates. The fact that he wants it held at the Astoria adds to that theory. The Astoria is an invite-only association for those known only by their net worth.
Gabriella will be little more than a trophy. People know who she is and they know who I am. Our combined wealth will be overkill.
“What’s going on with you?” I ask before he can continue talking about the wedding or parties.
I know him so well. Since he’s been sick he’s tried to sidestep serious matters to do with his health even when he’s trying to speak to me about it.
“They found another tumor.” His voice is hollow and his tone low.
I stare at him, wishing I truly didn’t care. If I could show the same hatred he has for me and not care then I’d live up to my ruthlessness. But I think I care because I know my mother loved him.
Jacob used to tell me all these stories about our mother and the things our father used to do for her. Mother was the one thing my father loved in his life and in his eyes Jacob was a symbol of that love.
“What are the doctors going to do?” I keep my gaze on his.
“Nothing. Nothing more can be done. I no longer have a year. It’s more like six months, or less, but they’ve said I could slip away at any time in my sleep. I’d like to do that in Russia.”
I nod, understanding. “When do you plan to go?”
“Hopefully in three months’ time, but I may move up the date. My goal is to see the handover through.”
“As you wish, Pakhan.”
“Is everything else okay? I was informed there was an incident last night.”
One of his spies must have told him that because I didn’t take any of his men. Anyone who went was loyal to me.
“Everything is fine.”
“I sure hope so. I'm at a stage where I don't need any trouble in the remaining days of my life.”
“There will be no trouble,” I assure him.
“Good. I have taken a big step by giving you the leadership. Don’t prove me wrong. So far you’ve proven more useful than I ever imagined.”
Motherfucking asshole. I could move the moon with my bare hands and he’d say the same thing. “I’m glad I finally did something right by you.”
I wouldn’t normally answer but I’m at a stage where I no longer care.
“You certainly are getting there.” He gives me a sour smile. “Anyway, in other news, I've spoken to Dante and he has agreed to move up our rank in the Creed to the fifth seat as soon as you are married to Gabriella de Costa.”
I thought we’d need to wait until Gabriella turned twenty-five and received her fortune but Dante knows what this means to me so he probably acted fast. He knew I would want my father alive to witness my achievement.
“That's good news.”
“It’s the best. That seat should have always been ours. Not the Irish. They already have too much.” He’s talking about Cillian again. “We will also get an extra cut of the annual shared profits this year and extra resources at our beck and call from the Creed.”
“This is turning out better than planned.”
“I thought so, too. So, my question to you is, why do we need to involve the Irish and the Italians in our business? We don’t need them. Marrying the De Costa girl will bring us unimaginable wealth and opportunities. I have nothing against Micah. I've known him since you were children. But it irritates me to have him here, sitting at our board meeting.” He steeples his fingers and glares at me. “You never know what he could be telling his people about our plans.”
We’ve had this conversation before. Or rather, this argument.
As much as he likes to be part of an alliance, my father can’t stand anyone he considers competition. Micah has only been tolerated for as long as he has because he’s useful, and he and his father hold the ninth seat at the high table. That’s currently one seat behind us. If he’d belonged to the other Italian family he wouldn’t even be allowed through the door. That’s not the way it’s supposed to be in the Creed.