Page 70 of Lethal King

“Don Sabatino, why don’t you and Adriana come with me,” Maksim steps in. “I’ll accompany you back to your car. Anything you want to tell the king, you can tell me.”

“Are you serious?” Adriano looks like he’s just been slapped across the face. “We came all the way out here for—”

“You live down the street,” I interrupt, remembering what Mel said. “If you want to set up a meeting to discuss business, then Maksim will be happy to set something up. Otherwise, we’re done.”

“This is business,” Adriano foolishly pushes.

“No. it isn’t,” I sneer, getting up in the stubby Italian’s greasy red face. “Your daughter is none of my business, and she shouldn’t be a part of yours. Protect her, Adriano. That’s your only job as a father.”

“I—” It looks like Adriano is about to say something he might regret. Thankfully, he thinks better of it. “I will schedule another meeting with you.”

“Good.”

With that, I turn and march away.

Snapping my fingers, I order Maksim to join me.

“You two,” Maksim quickly points to a pair of guards standing watch in the hall. “Escort Don Sabatino and his lovely daughter back to their car. Make sure they get home safely. Understand?”

“Yes, sir!”

“That didn’t go well,” Maksim notes when we turn the corner up ahead.

“You should have warned me about his daughter,” I grumble. “That shit disgusts me.”

“My mistake,” Maksim admits. “I’d forgotten.”

“The great Maksim Smolov forgot something?” I’m genuinely shocked.

But he only shrugs. “I guess I’m just that excited about your two special guests. Actually, wait. No. It’s three now. I keep forgetting.”

A smile crosses his weathered face.

“Whoever it is, they better make up for that bullshit.”

“They will,” Maksim hints. “Would you like me to spoil the surprise?”

“I’m done with surprises. Tell me.”

“It’s your cousin. And her husband. And your nephew.”

I stop in my tracks. But I don’t know whether I should be enraged or ecstatic.

“Why the hell wasn’t I told they were coming?” I ask.

“You’ve been busy.”

A tinge of regret juts through me at Maksim’s remarks.

What else have I missed while I’ve been away?

“They shouldn’t be here,” I mumble. “It’s too dangerous to travel right now. Especially with an infant in tow.”

“I believe Jakub would be considered a toddler by now,” Maksim corrects. “But they didn’t travel from the west coast. At least, not since your coronation. They were already in town for the ceremony. It was supposed to be a surprise. But when you sent out the order to stay away, they respected your decision. They’ve been staying up at your family’s place in the Catskills ever since.”

“Fuck,” I curse, wiping a hand down my face.

Part of me spikes with joy at the opportunity to see my cousin and my nephew again. It’s been too long. But another part dreads the reunion.