Their Reign (The Rite Trilogy 3)

“Well, then by all means, if he gave his word, let’s close the matter.”

“Don’t be flippant.”

“Where is he?”

“Answer me a question, and I will do the same.”

Calculating bastard. I climb out of the car and lock it. “What do you want to know?”

“Why did you do it? Why invoke Vicarius? No one has in my lifetime. And for you to do it for her, a woman who is not your family, not your blood, not anything to you.”

Ah. But therein lies the crux of it all.

She is not merely something to me.

She is everything.

I stop walking, as if just realizing it myself. Because Mercedes was right the night I told her about Theron. About my fears. I am an idiot. I have feelings for this woman. Powerful feelings. Even as I know and have always known that a wife was not in the cards for me. A family of my own would always be denied me. The stock I come from would not allow for that. I know it. My grandfather knew it. And I’m pretty sure it’s why Councilor Hildebrand is in such a rush to get me seated on The Tribunal. He sees my potential.

“Judge?”

I blink, then draw a breath. “In all honesty, Councilor, I would not submit her to your cruelty.”

“Hm.”

“You and I, we understand one another,” I continue. “We always have.”

“Yes, we have. I wonder how the power of a Councilor of The Tribunal will corrupt you when the time comes, Judge. I look forward to watching your progression.”

“You mean my deterioration.”

He ignores that. “You have it in you. Carlisle knew it too. When it is time, we will make a powerful team, you and I.”

I clench my jaw. “You asked, and I answered. Now answer my question.”

“Vincent Douglas was escorted onto a flight to Reno, Nevada, late last night. Whether or not he remained there is no longer a matter for The Tribunal.”

I disconnect the call, relieved and irritated at once. How well does he know me? Better than I guessed? As well as my grandfather? He and Carlisle were close. They would have discussed their vision for The Tribunal, the most powerful institution within IVI.

I enter the office, which is empty, and I realize it’s because it’s the weekend. I’m grateful I don’t have to see anyone and head directly into my office, where I lock the door and sit behind my desk. I turn on my computer, plug in my password, and navigate to the app connected to the security camera I installed in Mercedes’s condo.

And I watch.

I watch as a masked intruder enters from the patio door. I peer close when he fills the screen, taking in his height and build. Tall and powerful, he tears her place apart. Sort of. He takes a call, checks his watch, then disappears. I wish I’d set up more cameras because he’s out of sight for a while. I move the recording forward until early evening when I was in a dungeon of The Tribunal being whipped. Mercedes enters the living room, her steps slow, one hand over her mouth as she takes in the wreckage.

And if I didn’t know better, I’d believe she was surprised. Especially when the masked man comes back into view and grabs her from behind. She screams. I can tell from her face. She fights him, stomping on his expensive shoes. I recognize them. He whispers something in her ear, and she pauses, then she fights him all the way out the patio door, even losing her shoe in the process as he carries her off the screen.

“Motherfucker.”

When I get my hands on them, I’m going to fucking kill them.