Chapter 11
Preston laughed when Sebastian showed him the photograph.
“At last.”
His shoulders straightened.
“Something current.”
Lucinda stared at the three capos.
She knew all of them.
Men who had eaten at her table.
Toasted Sebastian at Christmas.
Kissed Elisa’s cheek at birthdays.
Sebastian looked toward the ballroom doors.
“Bring them.”
Preston smirked.
“You think they answer because you snap your fingers?”
Sebastian did not respond.
Ten minutes later, two appeared.
The third did not.
Preston’s smile weakened slightly.
Sebastian noticed.
The two capos looked at the photograph.
Neither denied the meeting.
Lucinda’s breathing changed.
“What did he promise you?”
One capo answered.
“A different structure.”
Sebastian watched.
Preston laughed.
“Say it properly.”
The man looked toward him.
Then Sebastian.
“More territory.”
“More control.”
“Less central authority.”
Preston leaned back.
“See?”
His voice dripped satisfaction.
“Not everyone worships the old king.”
Sebastian’s expression remained calm.
“What was the price?”
Silence.
Lucinda looked toward the second capo.
He avoided her eyes.
Preston smiled.
“Don't embarrass yourselves.”
Then looked at Sebastian.
“The price was you.”
Elisa’s nanny appeared at the edge of the gallery.
Sebastian’s eyes sharpened.
Clara shook her head.
Elisa was safe.
But the child had asked for him.
Sebastian looked at Preston.
“You planned to move against me during the gala.”
“Yes.”
Finally.
No hiding.
Preston seemed almost relieved.
“The heritage night was perfect.”
“All the old names in one room.”
“All the men who still pretend ancestry makes authority.”
His eyes moved toward Lucinda.
“And my wife standing beneath portraits of people who never wanted her.”
Lucinda stared.
He had intended to use her pain publicly too.
Preston continued.
“Then the vase broke.”
His smile turned vicious.
“And little Elisa ruined the timing.”
Sebastian’s hand slowly closed.
Preston laughed.
“You should thank her.”
A pause.
“She saved your chair.”
Lucinda’s face hardened.
“Don't say her name.”
Preston turned.
“What?”
Her voice became colder.
“You don't get to say her name.”
He smiled.
“Now you care?”
Lucinda flinched.
That one landed because it was deserved.
She looked down.
Then back.
“I care enough not to let you use what I did to her as another leash.”
Preston’s eyes sharpened.
The first capo spoke.
“We never agreed to touch the child.”
Sebastian turned.
Preston’s jaw tightened.
The capo continued.
“He said Sebastian would be separated from the gala.”
“How?”
Silence.
Sebastian looked toward Preston.
The second capo answered.
“He told us Elisa would get sick.”
Everything stopped.
Lucinda turned.
Preston’s face went blank.
May you like
Sebastian’s voice became almost inaudible.
“What did you put near my daughter?”
