Page 57 of Fatal Scheme

“Are you sure that’s the right call, Daddy? I think having locals on our side would make my transition easier, especially since I’ve already gained their trust.” I fidget with the strings on my hoodie, feeling like a little kid the second I reach out, knowing that he most likely won’t take my suggestion, but hoping for a different outcome.

“It’s not the right decision. You have gained their trust by lying, and ending them alongside their bloodline, erasing it from the map, is the only way to ensure a complete takeover. Is there anything else?” He asks, his way of slamming the gavel and ending a conversation he no longer wants to have.

“Okay, Daddy. We’ll catch up soon, and I’ll call if I have any updates,” I say, trying not to show how defeated I feel, and acting as if this was just a regular call.

“Love you, Duchess.”

“Love you, too. Listen to your nurses,” I warn, pressing the end button as I lean against the wall, dropping my head in my hands as our entire conversation replays in my head.

My father has a point, he always does, but I know Jasper and Tyson.

They wouldn’t want to be without me, and if that meant bowing down to us Cassini’s, they’d do it if I was on the throne.

On the other hand, moving forward with their plan, without having one of my own feels like a gradual disappointment, like no matter what happens, the three of us can’t be together, without sacrificing the things we all want.

“Ms. Cassina! The nurse is ready for you,” a woman calls from the other side of the door, and I race to compose myself, stashing the middle aged satellite phone into my tote and wiping the stray tears from my eyes.

Whatever I choose will have to be a decision I live with for the rest of my life, and I’m nowhere near ready to make that kind of commitment.

Everything feels like it’s crashing down at once, but I can only stand in the middle, bracing for impact while I attempt to pick a damn side.

After a few days of being closely monitored by my men, their worries about my health overwhelming, I’m so fucking thankful that the frat downstairs is hosting a party.

It’s been hard convincing the boys to go, after what happened when we were attacked, but they’ve agreed to let me go downstairs and let my hair down, even if only for an hour.

It’s frustrating, being locked on the top two floors, only allowed out with protection, just like back home.

I’ve always been a caged bird, and while my freedom at Emory was short lived, I miss it.

Ellie has been texting me nonstop, begging me to leave my princess castle and come down for a few drinks, so with Jasper and Tyson directly beside me, we make our way to the party, passing shocked faces as we head straight to the kitchen for a drink.

“I don’t care how drunk you get, Principessina, you do not leave our side,” Jasper says into my ear, his grip on my arm tightening, and I nod, understanding the rules spelt out earlier.

Despite the strict rules, I dressed for a party, choosing a sequin black dress that barely covers my ass, my favorite fishnets, and of course, my knee-high boots.

My hair is tossed in a sloppy bun, my hair care routine falling apart since Tyson insists on bathing me every time we all have sex, his endearing way of taking care of me, but destroying my curls in the process.

“Carter! Oh my god, you came!” Ellie cheers, skipping to me in her neon pink body dress, fitting in perfectly with the sea of people dressed in similar bright colors.

“I missed you, Good Witch,” I say, pulling her in for a tight hug as the smell of her perfume brings back short-lived memories of sharing our apartment.

“Hi, boys.” She waves, a little more confident than the last time she spoke to Jasper, when I made her my decoy to fuck with him.

Intimidating as always, both Tyson and Jasper stand on each side of me, looking all around the room like they’re on guard, barely in tune with the conversation happening right in their faces.

“Don’t. Be. Rude.” I snatch Jasper’s chin between my fingers, directing his attention to Ellie, and in the same breath, smacking Tyson’s chest until they’re both looking at her.

“Oh, hi, Blondie,” Jasper says, his icy silver eyes making contact with her soft hazel ones as she takes a step backward.

“I promise, Ellie, they won’t hurt you. They’re big softies,” I whisper the last few words, a girlish giggle escaping her lips as she gets a front row seat to how well I wrangle them.

“Tyson. Nice to meet you.” He extends an arm, wrapping her into a side hug, and I smile up at him, proud of my gentle giant as he attempts to be cordial.

They’re so used to everyone hating them, or being afraid of their presence, that they’ve forgotten how to entertain guests and keep polite company.

“So, like, you all do it? At the same time?” She asks, her eyes darting between the two of them as Tyson shifts uncomfortably, looking anywhere but at her, but Jasper looks like he’s gotten another glimpse of hell, his eyes sparkling under the trashy strobe lighting.

“We even tie her to the bed.” He stalks two steps closer, his frame towering over hers as she lifts her chin, meeting his gaze.