LOUIS
In the actions of men, and especially of princes, one judges by the result. — Niccolo Machiavelli
She deserved answers.
And I deserved a moment with her—to imagine a life without regret, without the weight of everything pressing down on us.
But first?—
I tossed the piece of paper from the black folder onto the bed. “What you’re looking for. I think.”
It was Cassian’s birth certificate.
She picked it up. I saw the exact moment realization hit—saw it in the way her fingers stilled, in the way her breath caught—before she dropped it back onto the bed and swore.
“That’s not what I was expecting.”
I shrugged. “Apparently it was common back then. Heirs were whisked away by nannies. Hidden. Insurance, in case families ever had to flee to the States from the European countries.” I crossed my arms. “Now that they’re all here, there’s going to be a bloodbath. They’ll demand he return to his rightfulplace, a place that’s been empty far too long. Complete and total. The Italians won’t be pleased another will rise to power.”
Tempest leaned back against the plush white headboard. Listening. Watching.
“Phoenix knows,” I continued. “It’s probably the only reason Cassian’s still breathing. It’s also why the Vescovi can’t afford to kill him. Leverage.” My jaw tightened. “They have something more precious than money.”
Her gaze sharpened. “The missing Velkarya heir—at least one of them. They were given independence by England, stole money from the French. Too small to destroy, rich enough to want to defend with your life. It’s been under the rule of a regent for the last decade after the heirs went missing—some say they died. I guess we know that’s not the case. Bold, for the Vescovis to keep this secret. He’s worth more alive than dead. He can literally trace his routes back to Prince Dominique Makslyov.” She smiled to herself. “I used to love to read stories about the prince, he was a musical prodigy with scarred hands, grumpy disposition, gorgeous face, even bigger heart.” She shook the thought away. “Some say it’s just another retelling ofBeauty and the Beast, I say it’s something more.” She exhaled. “The Velkarya motto is ‘Per Sanguinem, Pax. Or through blood, peace’.” It was heavy. It was a lot I’m sure for her to process and I’m sure many men died trying to protect the information. Tempest looked up. “Someone wanted them gone and now that we know where he is, it’s only natural we set things to right.” I sucked in a sharp breath. “You, you’ll need to help set things to right, otherwise you wouldn’t have been trusted with this information.”
I went still. “Now we know why.”
I nodded. “Which begs the question.”
“What does this mean for Cassian? Trade one prison for another?” She frowned. “I knew his hair was fake!”
She was beautiful when she thought—dangerous, sharp. Funny when the moment called for someone to crack. I smiled. “What does it mean for any prodigal son?” I said quietly. “The prince has to go claim his throne. We send Cassian to Velkarya as soon as everything is over.”
She pushed herself up on her elbows. “He’s a survivor. He just needs to get away from the Vescovis long enough to?—”
She stopped mid-sentence. And I knew she’d figured it completely out.
“Holy shit,” she breathed. “I’m an idiot.” Her eyes snapped to mine. “This is all part of the plan. You’re his replacement, aren’t you? They want the ports open but they want a foothold if they’re to lose him and it’s worth losing him to gain that port and the power that comes with it. Plus, they must feel powerful enough to finally push him into play. Can they control him? Does he care? I can’t decide if it’s genius or insanity.”
Silence. Then I admitted, “Probably both.”
“They won’t just let him go,” she continued, faster now. “But if they have a hold in the Five Families—if they haveyou—their port, their access—then it’s a fair trade.”
My stomach sank anyway. “Exactly.”
Her gaze dropped from my mouth to the floor. “So, all that’s left is your task. The thing that sets everything in motion.”
“Yes.” No big deal, just bring back a missing heir, take his place in a crime family, prove utter loyalty to do so and hold myself plus everything else together. Sure. Yes. Easy.
She let out a shaky breath. “And that’s why we’re here.” A pause. “What—do we have a few hours?”
“You’d make an excellent assassin,” I joked.
She snorted. “Promise to train me, and I won’t rat you out.”
“I promise.” I was serious too. I would do anything for her—anything I was allowed to that is.
Her eyes filled with tears. “I believe you.”