Page 20 of Beautiful Torment (Empire of Kings #1)

Eventually, both patriarchs conceded that if they continued down that path, there would be nothing left of either family.

So, for the sake of self-preservation, a reluctant treaty was struck, and a mandatory timeframe of peace was enacted.

For both families to prosper, it was written within the treaty that any hostile acts during this window would forfeit the perpetrator’s territories, wealth, estates, and businesses before they were slaughtered.

In addition to that, both patriarchs agreed to clauses in their wills that required further obligations to be met by each male head of household once the title was passed on.

These clauses were designed to protect their lineage and preserve the legacy of both families.

If either head failed to fulfill these duties, the rival family would inherit the estate and eliminate the competition once and for all.

This wasn’t just applicable to the Vitales, but their entire faction of the Cosa Nostra .

In short, it would be an all-out war until every family in the Seattle organization was dead.

However, it isn’t only the Vitales who have to shoulder that responsibility, and if there’s one thing I know from my observations of Ares Stavros, it’s that he has a weakness too.

“My guard will remain suitably intact,” I tell him. “And you’d be wise to do the same. After all, it’s easy to point out the perceived vulnerabilities of others. Accepting our own is a different story.”

There’s an almost imperceptible shift in his features, and if I’d blinked, I’d have missed it. I’m aware that I’m playing a dangerous game, but men like Ares hold no respect for those who cower before them.

“To what are you referring exactly?” Persephone asks.

“Call me crazy.” I fix Ares with a look. “But I think there’s something else your brother wants from the Vitales. Something that holds more value than all their wealth combined.”

An uncomfortable silence falls over the room as storm clouds roll through Ares’s dark gaze. He doesn’t give anything away, but in my gut, I know I’m right.

“And what would that be?” Persephone glances between us in question.

She’s the baby of the family, so it doesn’t surprise me that she’s confused by my observation.

She was too young to be out causing mischief on the island when we were teenagers.

And although the island is large, we often had the misfortune of crossing paths with the Stavros kids.

In fact, it seemed the brothers made it their personal mission to wreak havoc at every opportunity, challenging Angelo and his siblings to all manner of competition.

But there was one Vitale sibling Ares tormented more than all the others.

“Let’s just say she’s a high achiever. A doctor. A violinist…”

“My sworn enemy,” Ares interjects dryly.

“And therefore, someone you can never have, particularly if you try to murder her family. It must be torturous for you.”

His expression remains unbothered, but when he adjusts his watch, I don’t miss the rigid set of his fingers.

“I do think you’ll be a worthy adversary,” he responds. “But on this matter, you’ve missed the mark. I would sooner die than court a woman bearing the Vitale name.”

“A problem easily solved with a marriage contract.” I smile sweetly. “If you could ever manage to get on your knees and beg for a blessing from the Vitale brothers.”

His lip tips up at the corner as Persephone scoffs.

“You really are delusional. My brother would never.”

I shrug. Ares won’t admit it, but I feel like I’ve chipped away a piece of his armor.

“As fun as this verbal tennis match has been, I have things to do. So let’s get to the point where you tell me what you want.”

Ares offers me a wolfish grin. “I told you, I require your services.”

I roll my eyes. The man is an incurable flirt. But beneath that charming mask, I’ve often wondered what it is he’s hiding.

“Are you willing to start a war for some new clothing?” I ask.

“I suppose it’s a possibility,” he muses. “Your husband-to-be does have quite the reputation at the Cat House. I hear he gets his jollies by playing around with an escort who looks strikingly similar to you. Is he the one who left that mark on your face?”

I blanch at his observation. It isn’t the fact that Matteo visits the Cat House that bothers me, but rather his lack of discretion.

Ares can only be telling me this for one of two reasons.

He wants to see my reaction for himself, or he wants to create a divide in my impending marriage.

After all, a hostile wife is less likely to help her husband fulfill his marital needs or the conditions of the treaty.

Refusing to give him what he wants, I grab the notepad from my desk, knowing as I ask, I’ll probably regret this.

“Why don’t we start by telling me what you need?”

He swivels in my chair, adjusting the height in what I’m certain is a bid to annoy me. “Straight to business, are we?”

“I could only hope to be so unbothered by my future husband screwing around on me,” Persephone quips.

“It’s a rare trait in a woman,” Ares agrees. “But perhaps it would bother her more if it were the other brother doing it. You know, the one she was engaged to before.”

My stomach revolts at the very idea of Angelo spending time at the Cat House, and I can’t hide my visceral reaction, no matter how much I try.

“Ah, yes, there it is.” Ares chuckles. “What a strange little love triangle you’ve been caught up in.”

I inhale a fortifying breath and do what I do best, numbing my feelings so I can redirect my focus.

“If you want me to shop for you, I’ll need your measurements.”

“Later.” He sighs as if I’ve just ruined his fun. “We’ll meet after your wedding. I have a feeling we’ll be in for a spectacular show.”

“Is that supposed to be a threat?”

He snorts. “If I wanted to kill you, you’d already be dead.”

“You have every reason to,” I say.

“Perhaps, but then I wouldn’t get the answer to the burning question we’ve all had for the past six years.”

“And what is that?”

“You’ve had ample time to marry Matteo and fulfill the obligations of the treaty, but something held you back. Rumors abound, and I must confess, I’ve hedged my bet on what it might be.”

“Well, I’m sorry to hear you’ve wasted your time,” I deflect. “If I had room to spare, I’d invite you to the wedding so you could see for yourself.”

“Oh, but I already have an invite,” he says. “In fact, I’ll have a front row seat.”

Alarm skitters over me, but I stay calm. “I very much doubt it.”

“Guess we’ll see, won’t we?” He shrugs. “I have a feeling the night will be full of surprises.”

When he rises from his seat, he nods at Persephone, something passing between them. She reaches into her pocket and ambles over to me, holding out her hand.

“You really should be more careful,” she tells me. “You never know who might be watching…or listening.”

I’m caught off guard when she drops the crushed pieces of a camera and a listening device into my palm.

“Where did you find these?”

“I think the more important question”—she drawls—“is who’s been keeping such a close eye on you?”