“Don’t let them see it.”
“See what?”
“Your pain. It shows weakness.”
I clench my jaw, take a deep breath in. He’s right. I need to master this. Can’t let my mind take me there. Not in front of them.
I close my eyes, take a deep breath in and nod just as a knock comes at the door.
“Showtime,” Zeke says, a wide smile on his face. He’s better at this part than I am. He swaps out his masks more easily. “Come in,” he calls out as he walks back around the desk and picks up his whiskey.
We both watch as Dex opens the door and Councilor Hildebrand enters. He looks at me, at my brother, around the study. He’s irritated but I think that may just be his resting face. He’s a self-important man and as far as I’ve known from when our father was alive, he’s never had much affection for our family. Probably thinks we’re imposters. Not a founding family but one with money and ultimately, all bow to money. Everyone and everything can be bought no matter how much The Society may want to deny it. Even status within IVI.
Now the Bishops, they’re the real deal. One of the thirteen original Founding Families. They’re not only members of The Society but are part of the groundwork. Carlton Bishop, a bona fide Sovereign Son. Me and Zeke and our father when he was alive, we bought our place. And Hildebrand has never forgotten it.
Which makes this all the sweeter.
I paste a smile on my face. “Councilor,” I say. “I appreciate you coming on such short notice.”
Dex closes the door and Hildebrand meets my gaze. “In future, you should know matters of this importance will be handled at the Tribunal building.”
“Considering the delicacy of the situation, I didn’t think you’d mind.”
His jaw tightens. I have him by the balls. A Sovereign Son, a founding family member, making deals with mobsters. Well, it’s not so much that as getting caught at it. That would not go over well if word got out. Which is why he’s here. Which is why he’ll do exactly as I say.
“Of course,” he says.
“Sit, please,” I say, stacking the pages on the desk and walking around it to gesture to the leather couch in the sitting area.
He sits. “Drink?” Zeke asks.
He nods and my brother pours him a whiskey.
“How is your daughter?” Hildebrand asks tightly.
“Doing well.” Considering. The councilor’s support is necessary for this part of my plan, but I won’t tell him any more than he needs to know about my family.
“You’ll bring her to the compound for a formal introduction, I presume.”
“When the time is right, and I have secured her safety.” The first part is a lie. The second a little pressure on him. Let him know just how delicate this matter is for IVI.
“She’s been baptized?”
“Are you concerned for her soul?”
“Of course,” he replies with a smile about as warm as mine.
This will go nowhere good, so I change the topic. “You’ve vetted the evidence against Carlton Bishop, I presume?” I ask. He has or he wouldn’t be here. The evidence is a recording of Carlton with some very bad men initiating the attempt on my life that killed Kimberly. It also suggests he may have had a hand in my father’s fatal car crash.
“Yes. You’ll hand it over once the papers are signed tonight, as agreed?”
“As agreed.” I feel my brother’s presence beside me, but I need to ask. “The girl?”
“Waiting on your command along with her brother.”
I don’t glance at Zeke. He’s clearly surprised by this. Tonight was about confronting Carlton. Signing the papers. Showing him the game has changed. Taking Isabelle wasn’t supposed to happen yet. But my plans have evolved.
“Good.” I collect the paperwork Councilor Hildebrand had drawn up and spread them over the coffee table in the sitting area. The oversized sheets of parchment take up the entire surface. I uncap the fountain pen and set it in front of Hildebrand.