Ruthless Prince (Dark Syndicate 1)

“Hey,” she says.

“Hi.”

“So, I got this job at a school as a teaching assistant. It’s a few hours a day. I’m kind of back and I thought I would check on you,” she says. “I also thought you might need me here for a little while. I think Priscilla would want me to take care of you. You and Emelia.”

I stand up and walk over to her. She gives me a hug, and as I hold her, she feels like a piece of the past.

“Thank you. I think I do need you.”

“Then I’m here for you.”

“Means a lot.”

“I think my parents would want me to be here too. Maybe there’s reason why the Ricci’s have always taken care of the D’Agostinos. We work well together.”

I smile at that.

“We definitely do.”

“I guess I’ll go unpack, then.” She gives me a nod and leaves.

Emelia will be happy that she’s back. Candace was a good friend to her.

Things have definitely not been the same without her and Priscilla around.

An hour later, Emelia arrives and heads out to see me on the terrace.

I decided to do some paperwork out here and enjoy the weather. I’m still cautious about her going out by herself even with a guard, but I’m gonna have to suck it up and trust that she’ll be safe for the next part of my plan.

She went shopping to get some special paintbrushes. The bag is so small it fits in the pocket of her purse. It probably didn’t warrant a trip into the city. I understand, though, if she wanted to get out of the house.

“Hi,” she bubbles as she reaches me. She plants a kiss on my lips and sits opposite me.

“Hi, Princess. Have fun in town?”

“Yeah. I did. Going to the art shop was nice.” She nods with a smile and reaches out to touch my hand. It’s the most innocent of touches, but it’s a sign she wants me again. The same way I always want her.

We have each other. That’s what came out of all of this. My thirst for vengeance sated by my love for her.

I love her, and she loves me, but I know there’s something more her heart wants, and she won’t be happy until she has it. So, we have a lot to discuss.

“I’m glad you went.”

She looks at the documents before me, and the smile on her face recedes.

“Does this mean you’ll be busy for the rest of the day?” she asks.

“No, but there are a few things we need to talk about. I think it’s time.”

“What do you mean?” Worry fills her pretty face.

I pull out a document she’ll recognize when I unfold it. It’s the contract from our first meeting.

She studies me when she sees it. “The contract.”

“Yeah, the contract.” I hold it up. She gasps when I tear it down the middle.

“What? What are you doing?”