Page 97 of Seduce & Destroy

Even if it was understandable, it was unnecessary. I would grieve that as much as him.

As I looked at the floor in contemplation, a black handkerchief entered my field of vision, blocking the view of my shoes. “Thank you,” I replied. It was kind.

I dried my eyes before handing it back to him. What now? I seemed to ask with the tilt of my head. Was this all he dragged me out here to say?

“Well,” Terrence looked uncertain. “My mother is actually waiting for you.”

I chuckled an anxious laugh, eyes wide. He wanted me to see her, “Looking like this!”

He worried his lip between his teeth.

“Okay.” This was how I was going to be formally introduced to Kilina’s mother. Alright. Nodding repeatedly, I amped myself up. “Do I look alright?” I asked, patting my hair down.

“Yes,” he sounded assured, but something told me he was just being nice.

No pressure. I thought. “Lead the way.”

Terrence spun on his heel and took me to the security office. Didn’t he know he could’ve just told me it was my office?

When he opened the door for me, I was flooded with all the feelings that overcame me in this room. Sweet memories, I hummed to myself. Especially in that chair, I glared at it, and suddenly, my flustered mood amplified, but then it shifted and rotated to reveal Kilina’s mother. She looked identical to her picture that was among Grandfather’s paintings. It drew me to her, the same way it had drawn me to her daughter.

“Ah, Laney. Good that you came.” Her tone of voice said the opposite, a slight snarl graced her face. I hoped it wasn’t at my surely blotchy red cheeks. If it was, she didn’t mention it, just invited me to sit and dismissed Terrence. His absence was felt as the closed door bathed us in the darkness of the room.

“I don’t want to be in bed with the enemy, pardon the pun, so make yourself useful.” She said. “Tell me about the Novelli dynasty, as you know, we crippled them by eradicating their matriarch, but it was only meant to be a temporary measure. How much of a threat are they?”

It was hard to find the right thing to say at first. My previous life had kept me isolated from the level of threat the syndicate faced at once. I’d been taught to focus on security, not the danger involved. The Novelli dynasty was part of the security protocol.

“They were considered backup. They don’t deal in the operations arena of the Ravencroft’s dealings but assisted major operations in concerns of security. As I’m sure you are aware, they were meant to provide protection during my grandfather’s funeral. It’s that type of thing.”

“What are the chances of escalating tension with the dissolution of the Ravencroft Estate? Would they plan for revenge?”

“Well, my grandfather wanted a similar deal with them as they once had with you. Loyalty at its core. I was almost married to solidify that alliance.”

“Almost?” She interrupted.

“It was annulled on the wedding night.”

“Is that right?”

I nodded, unsure where she was taking this.

“And they didn’t wish for restitution?”

“No…”

“They have mobilised. As we speak, Aldo Novelli is retracting operations from the southern coast and bringing them into the city. How do you suppose their plan would go from there?”

“Change in leadership usually comes with a grace period for transitioning.”

“We don’t have that time.”

“Exactly.” I input my log in details to the server and bring up a localised map of the locations and establishments the Ravencroft Estate had dealings with. “If you haven’t negotiated a new contract with these businesses, this is what they’re heading for. You’re vulnerable. Killing Flavia Novelli fractured the leadership, that’ll slow them down, but they won’t give up the opportunity for easy bait. Easy cash in the Ravencroft Estate’s absence.”

“For growth?”

“Potentially. They are smart businessmen, they won’t target you. Not immediately.”

“So, they’re coming?”