Page 37 of Taint My Soul

“What’s it like running the Royal Empire?”

“Pretty simple. I love it. I intend to take over as the CEO before the year ends.” She maintains. “You know your father is pushing this marriage, but I don’t want it. I have far too many things to focus on other than standing behind a man or birthing babies.” She stops, facing me as she confesses.

For some unknown reason, a breath of relief spills through my nostrils. “I think you’ll be phenomenal as CEO.”

“What do you think of this marriage?” She asks.

“I’m not sure what I want yet.”

“See, I think it’s best if we don’t waste each other’s time. Better to go after what we want than this.” Adanna explains confidently.

“I agree.” I shrug.

“Thank you, Saint.” She smiles and steps back to my side.

We walk the rest of the path in silence, then turn back to the house in time to meet her father and mine standing by the stairs and shaking their heads.

“There she is.” Mr. Okoro gestures toward her daughter. “Adanna, we should head back to the city.”

“Alright, Father,” Adanna waves at me. “I will see you at your cousin’s wedding.”

“Of course, I’ll be there.”

“Alright.” She smiles whilst I lead her to the car and hold the door open for her.

“Thank you.” She hums. Her father joins her, and their valet puts the car in ignition and follows the drive out of the premises.

“Saint, my office now.” Tobias barks and pivots to the entrance, heading inside with his cane.

Cross pulls me aside before I return to the house. “Um, I have news about the boys that burned down our warehouse.” He adjusts the pair of glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. Cross was the youngest of us all and the smartest. He was really good at finding information about people, so I trust he’ll deliver.

“And?”

“They’re dead. Virgil and I met a massacre, but I pulled up footage from the street cameras, and I’m looking into our guy.” He explains as we both head into the house.

“Alright, send me everything when it’s ready.”

“Of course.”

When we step into Father’s office, the air changes into something darker. Virgil’s already there.

Father stands in front of the open window with a glass of rum in his hand.

His office is exactly as I recall.

A massive mahogany desk centers the room, with a throne behind it. Father loves to call it the fortress of his kingship. One day, I will sit on that throne. His throne.

Rare books and financial ledgers line the walls, neatly arranged on shelves. Behind one shelf is a hidden compartment, concealing weapons and documents that could ruin this family. Soft light from gold-trimmed sconces creates shadows that accentuate the dark charge that stirs in the room.

“Cross leave us.” Father taps his foot against the floor before he turns to us. Cross and I exchange glances, his demeanor neutral as he makes a turn and heads out of the office.

Father moves to his throne and sits. He gestures toward the straight-backed leather chairs in front of him, and Virgil and I settle down. “Update me.” He says, eyes on me.

“Father, we have been taking care of it. I swear we’ll get rid of this…” Virgil explains out of nowhere. When it comes to Tobias King, even tough nuts like Virgil stumble over their own words. Somehow, Father had ingrained fear into us while he raised us. And, unknowingly, Virgil just crossed a line.

“Virgil,” he says evenly. “Come here.” Virgil rises and circles the desk to him. “Place your hand on the desk.” Virgil’s large hand rests against the polished surface. The air crackles with razor-thin tension. Then Father strikes. His hand moves so swiftly, glass shattering against his palm with brutal force. Virgil doesn’t make a sound. He doesn’t flinch. “Get out of my sight!” He barks, and Virgil leaves his office. “These kids never listen. Don’t speak unless you’re spoken to.” He murmurs under his breath. I wait, heart thudding against my chest, just as a worker runs into the office to clean up the mess. “Saint?” He nods at me.

“Father, we have a lead. If this is our rival, we will fish them out.”