Page 11 of Legacies: Prelude

Unfortunately, that’s not likely to happen. I long for more, and the look in her eyes as she stares into mine says I’m not alone. I give her the faintest smile, hoping she knows what I’m doing. I’m giving her time. What she chooses to do with it is up to her, but I hope she does something great.

She gives me a quick wink as she leans back slightly. “Challenge accepted, gentlemen.”

She relaxes her hand in mine, and I let go. Other than a slight tightness around her eyes as I squeezed, there was barely a reaction. I wonder if she truly has what it takes to rule this world. Only time will tell, and three months is all I can afford for her.

I glance down at the body of what looks like Alessandro’s right-hand man, Alfredo. She smiles with pride before schooling her face again. She carved him up pretty well. She’s clearly more hardened to this life than we were led to believe. I wonder if her father knew. It’s doubtful. He was too like my own father. He wouldn’t have allowed it.

I take a step back and turn to walk away.

“Just one more thing, gentlemen—when I turn this business around, I will choose my own husband.” My eyes flick back to hers, and my heart picks up in my chest. If only.

“And when you fail, because you will, you will be banished, and your family will be eradicated from theSyndicate. Your family name will be removed like you never existed, and trust me, I will take great pleasure in seeing you get what you deserve, little girl,” Father spits at her as he turns and storms out. Bellino’s stern face never changes as he turns and follows Father. The other families leave, too.

My gaze softens as we’re left alone. “I’ve bought you three months, Ari. I believe in you. It’s up to you to show them what you’re made of.” I wink and turn to follow the rest of the men out of the building.

“Vittorio.”

I stop in my tracks. The way she says my name, she rolls the “r,” and it makes my breath hitch and my heart race. I glance back. “Make sure you have a nice suit.”

She looks me up and down before giving me a soft smile, the blue of her eyes shining like she can offer me the world. “You’ll need it for our wedding.”

I smile. I mean, I really smile as I turn and walk away, my heart in my throat, my palms sweaty. I hope we can start something together. I pray to God as I walk out that she can do what she’s saying. I hope that one day, she will rule like she was never given a chance to, and I hope one day, she will be mine.

We can rule together—the overlooked, the underestimated, and the overshadowed. I will only ever be second place to my brother, the backup, the spare, but with her, we could have it all. Hope is a fickle thing, so now I’ll be content with buying her time. It’s all I have to offer her right now without going against my family and the Syndicate. They will all wait on tenterhooks for her to fail, but me? I can’t wait to see her shine.

Scorch the earth, and I will celebrate your win. Burnthe world, Principessa, and I will gladly worship at your feet.

Meanwhile, I need to find a suit worthy of marrying my queen.