A Destiny of Carnage (A Violent Agenda)

“That’s fucking stupid. As if you would give everything to them.”

“I would if it meant keeping you safe,” I say to her. The ‘friend’ Joseph was marrying her off to was a supposed Italian diplomat, old enough to be her grandfather. If she had married him, I know I would have done anything to get her back.

It should have been me killing Joseph.

Not Viola.

Once again, I’m reminded that our Angel of Death has done nothing but rescue us over and over. It’s high time we repaid the fucking favor.

“If we are Tatiana’s kids, then we really are Dukes too, right?” The hope in her voice slices through me.

“Dukes and Savinos,” I say, making her grimace. I get why she’s asking, but the potential answer is giving me a sick churning in my fucking stomach.

The Dukes and the Savinos have been at each other fucking throats ever since Edrei tried to take over back in Italy. When I spoke to Grandfather, he admitted during that time Savino’s men took his daughter, Tatiana, to send him a message. When she became pregnant by Savino himself, with us, we were given to his son, Joseph, and his wife who couldn’t have kids, to keep what happened a secret.

Only when Carl found out Joseph was working with Savino to siphon off the Duke fortune, he tried to have us killed.

Grandfather didn’t mention rape. But it’s so fucking obvious. No one tells the truth. We all keep secrets and lies.

I’m not sure I even want to know.

Saskia’s hand reaches for mine and I let her squeeze it until her nails are digging in. I grit my teeth and let her. She’s fucking petrified, as I should be. Edrei Savino is no joke. When I was dating Kat, she would often throw it in my face that her uncle would crack my nuts open like eggs and eat them for breakfast if I so much as looked at another girl while I was with her.

Kat, who is now my fucking cousin.

“Fuck. I still haven’t called Kat. I won’t be long. You should catch up to the others, or Jude is going to claim the title of the favorite cousin from under you,” I say.

Cece and Saskia have been visiting Byron every day since he got out. Saskia has made it her private mission to make up for all the shit Joseph has ever done.

“Jude can kiss my ass,” she scowls. “Just tell me you’re okay.” She looks into my eyes.

I roll my eyes. “I’m fine, Sas.”

I watch her stalk off in her high heels toward the other two and then I take out my phone. I dial Kat’s number and wait, hoping that she won’t slam the phone down on me after I failed to call her back months ago.

“Hello,” purrs a feline voice. “Lore, you fucker, is that you?”

I suck in a breath, steeling myself for a world of pain. “Kat, long time. Sorry for calling out of the blue. I need to speak to your uncle, Edrei Savino.”

“Interesting request. Can I ask why?”

“Because I fucking know…” I close my eyes, unable to believe I’m about to say it out loud.

“Know what?” the bitch taunts.

“That he’s my father,” I grit out. “Now arrange for me to fucking speak to him.”

There’s a pause and then a sigh. “And why would I do that, dear cousin?” Her voice is like silk.

“Because I have a deal for him that he won’t want to miss out on.”

She sighs. “I’ll speak to him, but I can’t guarantee he’ll agree to it.”

“Just do what you can,” I say and hang up, the tightness in my shoulders making my entire upper body ache like I’ve done a fucking workout.