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My lawyer speaks, his explanation much more descriptive than my intended “because I fucking said so” response.

“His marriage to Miss Sofia Accardi is nearing. Should anything happen to her, or word get out about how our territory is being threatened, it would mean facing a much larger, more dangerous threat.”

“So postpone the wedding.” Alassane says it as though I’m an idiot for not considering the idea before today.

Unable—or perhaps, not wanting—to stop myself, I chunk my blade at him, laughing when he screams as it jams into the wooden table three inches away from his chest. Lucian’s eyes slither to mine and I mouth the word “oops” very,verysarcastically. He hates when I pretend to kill the people that keep us running so smoothly.

He shakes his head and returns to those at the round table. “That has been attempted, but met with rejection. The wedding must move forward. Miss Accardi will be here next week. We understand this may not be resolved by then so we are asking that new security be vetted and hired to ensure all business and Babin’s estate is safe.”

“Yes,” I mutter. “Can’t have this bride running off like the last.”

The jab at Lucian misses its mark, but it always does. He gives absolutely zero fucks that he stole the first woman I was supposed to marry, and really—though I’ll never admit it aloud—I’m grateful. If I have to marry an Accardi, at least I’m getting the hot one with the accent.

Eddie looks up from his computer and nods. “Yeah, I got that part. We got plenty of people wanting to work.”

“Yeah, but this time perhaps make sure they aren’t being double paid.” My brother narrows his eyes at our cousin who holds up his hands in faux surrender.

“Look, they must have a tech guy over there who can wipe the guys from the system. I also fucking vet them.”

“Perhaps you’re getting lazy.” Alassane huffs. “Or perhaps their IT guy is better than you.”

Eddie slips a gun from his pocket and sets it on the table. “And perhaps you want a hole in your fucking face.”

A low grumble vibrates from the panther, and my smile immediately melts. While I enjoy watching the heads duel it out on occasion, I don’t like when that fucking panther gets involved. That thing is the very reason I have the scar on my face.

“Alright, fine.” I clear my throat, the black cat in my periphery as I run a hand through my hair. “You two continue trying to find some type of record, whether on him or known members that are higher up that Niko can abduct.”

The fed nods while Ellen is so lost in tracing the veins in her partner’s arm, I’m not even sure she heard me. So my next line is to both see if I have her attention but also to piss her off.

“Also, don’t forget you need to help Alassane with his new drug.”

As predicted, her head snaps up, and Alassane’s smug grin is immediate. Her lips pop open but before she can say anything, I move on to my cousin and Sydney.

“You two handle all the security, including all the businesses, Noxus’ borders, and my betrothed’s detail. The last thing I need is to draw any more attention from the Accardi family. And you.”

I turn toward my lawyer last. “Call Ezekiel. It’s time the King of Wonderland repays us that favor.”