I think I’d known all along that this had to end in Cassio’s death, that seemed only fair to me, but Marco? He was guilty of a lot of things, being an idiot was one of them, but technically he’d not done anything wrong. I held no ill will against him, certainly not enough to wish for his death. But Nikolai on the other hand, he looked just about ready to kill Marco with his bare hands.
“We don’t have many options…” Nikolai answered my question, trailing off to leave my mind to fill in the blanks. No, there weren’t many options, but one came to mind - one that I was sure wouldn’t go over too smoothly with Nikolai.
“Let him go,” I demanded.
“Ana…” The deep timber of Nikolai’s voice growled dangerously. He gave me a what-the-fuck-are-you-doing look, that I ignored as I moved closer to them. I could feel Nikolai’s fury from across the room, it only seemed to intensify the closer I got. When Nikolai’s arm didn’t drop from Marco’s neck, I cut him a hard look.
“Secure the property, then wait for us in the car,” I told Finch and Zedd without taking my eyes away from Nik.
When we were finally alone in the room, Nikolai’s arm dropped. I watched closely as Marco gasped for breath. I hoped that in the future this wouldn’t come back to bite the King family in the ass but at least we knew that Marco was in fact as weak as he seemed. I shooed Nikolai away, and he surprised me by actually backing off a bit.
“I’m giving you a chance. One chance.” Marco finally met my eye as I spoke. I watched as he swallowed and took a sharp breath. He nodded his understanding. I could see the anger on his face, but he had no choice but to comply.
“You mess up or you come after us or you come after my parents, and we’ll be back here. You understand?” Again, he nodded.
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry you lost your father. He took me away from my family, and he rightfully paid for it with his life.” I turned, grabbing Nikolai’s hand and dragging him behind me as I exited the room.
I hoped that we wouldn’t have any more problems with Marco, but I meant what I said. We’d come back for him if we needed to.
Outside, almost everyone had already left. With Nikolai pacing ahead I slipped my phone from my pocket and messaged my parents. I needed to see them but I didn’t know where they’d be. Was Ambrose still under the hospital's care or had he been released?
We’ll meet you back at home - R
After reading their quick reply, my nerves doubled as the thought of facing them. But first, Nikolai...
“Finally, we can go home.” Nikolai sighed and relaxed into his seat behind the wheel. The sky was lightening as the sun began to rise.
“Nikolai!” I cried, looking over at him in outrage. I couldn’t believe his lack of sensitivity. He must have guessed my thoughts because suddenly he looked aghast.
“You can’t be serious, you think you’re going back there?” he asked incredulously.
“Only half the task is over.”
I still had a homicidal brother to deal with, and the matter of my inheritance. I wasn’t letting them off the hook that easily. Whether they wanted to face the facts or no, I was the Varela heir, and I was intent on claiming that crown.
“The Varela estate.” I narrowed my eyes at Nikolai in challenge. While he huffed and clenched at the steering wheel with white knuckles, the engine roared, and we pulled away from the curb.
My eyes never left him as I wondered about whether or not I should’ve told him the rest of my plan. It hadn’t been my original intention to go through with taking over my father's seat, but I’d surprised myself. I’d come to like his job.
It took several minutes and a loud disgruntled sigh before Nikolai finally kicked the engine of his truck to life. “Fine, but I’m not leaving your side.”
I knew there was no arguing about that. By now, I had learned to recognise what I could get away with and what I couldn’t. But truth be told, I wanted him there. I was just glad to know that he had my back.
I wanted my inheritance, my seat at the Varela table, and I’d be damned if I wasn’t going to get it after all of this. The only way I was going to ensure that I got my way would be to speak to my parents now. I was banking on a lot — it was definitely a gamble — but I figured now was the best time, before Ambrose could get his hooks into them again and shut me out.
When we pulled up outside the Varela house, I saw that my parents’ cars were both there. Good timing, I supposed. They must have finally left the hospital. I wondered if Ambrose would be here — it seemed unlikely.
I looked at Nikolai and found him already watching me closely.
“I’m ready, let’s go.” I was, in part, trying to convince myself that it was true. My heart pounded in my chest, and I was starting to feel the slight, buzzy light-headedness of an adrenaline rush. Fight, flight or freeze. The most base instincts. I hoped that I could quell the urge to run back into the truck and drive away.
I walked up the drive with Nikolai on my heels. I was relieved to have him with me, but I knew that I’d be the one doing all the talking once we got inside — assuming my parents let us inside… I didn’t hesitate as I knocked on the door.
There was a moment of stillness before the door opened. Rosetta held the door as her mouth opened then closed into a disapproving
