Page 71 of Fatal Scheme

For so long, I’ve been goal-driven, my focus being stuck on becoming exactly like my father, exactly how I was trained, but that stops now.

All this time, I convinced myself that I was on board with this plan Jasper, Tyson and I conjured, but a shred of doubt has lived under the surface, somewhere buried deep within my soul that I was afraid to admit existed.

In this moment, I can feel that singular piece warm up, igniting my bones like a goddamn inferno, and all at once, it slams into me like a truck, forcing my eyes wide open.

The choice is finally mine to make, and I’m all fucking in.

THIRTY-TWO

JASPER

Business first, then we play.

Admittedly, I was ready to throw in the towel, just fucking hop on a plane and run away to an unknown private island with nothing but a suitcase, but that would mean accepting defeat, and I refuse to bow down to my father.

His betrayal isn’t surprising in the slightest, but for some reason, it still stings.

I’ve done nothing but what he’s asked since I was old enough to walk, and the first time he saw something worth taking from me, he jumped at the chance.

Now, after some serious recon, Tyson, Carter and I are meeting with the Corazza’s, the family that had a hand in weakening the Ricci’s more than once in the past.

This is make or break, the exact push from behind that we need to swing for the fences, and I can honestly say this is the first time I’ve ever taken something dead seriously.

The stakes are at an all-time high, but with Carter and Tyson walking into battle with me, I feel unstoppable.

After we strike a deal with the Corazza’s, the rest of the weekend is dedicated to spoiling Carter, and we’ve gone all out with dinner reservations, a fancy hotel, and a planned club night.

She’s been sheltered, only visiting Manhattan once as a child, but Tyson is a meticulous planner, and no stop is too small, in his eyes.

She’s getting the full tour, even risking our lives by taking the subway, but it’s good for him to have something to focus on, besides our plan, and he thrives off a schedule.

“So, tell me more about Rocco Corazza? What should I know?” Carter asks, her head resting on my chest while her feet lay in Tyson’s lap, both of us sparing no expense to bring her into the City in style, choosing a sleek black limo and hiring the driver for the weekend.

Of course, there was no way she’d just hang back at the hotel, and she’s just as much a part of this as we are, so the more knowledge we all have, the better.

“He’s only been at the head of the table for a few years. His parents ran the Family when he was little, but disappeared until right around the time he took over. He has a wife, sister, and two nephews, but they live out of state,” I explain, refreshing myself with the research bullet points Tyson has provided since we started looking into this potential alliance.

“Reilly, right? She’s the reason why Ricci ordered his son to be murdered?” Carter questions, clearly proving that she pays attention during our planning sessions.

“Seems to be the case, yes. When I dug deeper, Reilly and the Ricci kid went to college together, but that’s the extent of their mutual friends and acquaintances.” Tyson butts in, adding the level of clarity that he specializes in.

“Okay, well at least we know there’s bad blood there. What about the wife, any lady bonding I should try?”

“Usually, no. Most wives are expected to keep quiet, look pretty, and act like they have no idea who their husbands really are. However, they’re both young, so if you see an opening, take it, Principessina,” I tell her, and she sits up slightly, turning until her beautiful eyes are locked into mine.

“You know this is all too much, right? I don’t need fancy limos, hotels, or shopping trips in order to comply.” She pokes her lip out, furrowing her eyebrows in an attempt to be taken seriously, but deep down, I know she loves this shit.

Tyson was persistent at first, breaking her down enough to allow us to care for her in ways she’s never been before, and now, it’s so much like second nature, she barely rolls an eye when we do little things like buy dinner, or wash her hair.

“Nobodies going to think you’re some uppity bitch just because you pull up in a limo,” I argue, pinching her nose ever so slightly, watching as she folds her arms across her chest in a huff.

“Do I strike you as someone who gives a fuck about what people think?” She snarks, completely sitting up in her seat, reaching for the glass of champagne we poured.

“Relax, baby girl. We know you don’t need these things to enjoy a weekend with us, but we like to do it. Anything to bring a smile to that pretty face,” Tyson says, immediately swooning her with his tender side, and like always, she eats it right up.

Their dynamic interests me, solely because he doesn’t have to do anything to earn her love.

It’s like their connection runs deep into their minds, so much so, that sometimes I’m convinced they share thoughts.