Page 51 of Marrying His Son’s Ex (Forbidden Kings #3)

KASI

The next morning finds us in Alaric’s study, the tension from yesterday still crackling in the air. Dante sits across from Alaric’s desk like he belongs there, a thick leather portfolio open in front of him.

Documents are spread across the mahogany surface like evidence of my own destruction. Twenty-three shell companies bearing my signature, each one a nail in the coffin of my freedom.

“Vale Holdings LLC,” I read aloud, my voice hollow as the reality sinks in. “Kasimira Enterprises. Princess Investment Group.”

“Our business empire,” Dante says with satisfaction. “Built together over our wonderful years of romantic dinners and makeup sessions.”

My hands shake as I examine the signatures. All mine, all legitimate, all creating a financial web that’s held me prisoner for years without my knowledge.

“The Hamptons house,” I whisper, recognizing one property deed.

“Not just a romantic getaway. A front for moving eight million in Russian drug money through real estate transactions.”

“The yacht shares in Miami.”

“Princess Maritime LLC. Specializing in transporting cargo. Some more legitimate than others.”

I thought we had been building a life together, while Dante was systematically making me the legal face of a criminal empire.

“The trafficking operations you’ve been fighting,” I realize with growing horror, turning to Alaric. “How many of them were connected to companies bearing my name?”

“At least six that we know of,” Alaric says grimly. “The Chicago ring moved girls through Princess Logistics. The Miami network used Vale Holdings properties as safe houses.”

“I helped traffic children.” The words come out broken. “My signature, my legal identity?—”

“You didn’t know,” Alaric says firmly, but Dante’s laughter cuts through his reassurance.

“Of course she didn’t know. That was the beauty of it. Kasimira provided the perfect legal face for operations she couldn’t comprehend.”

“You bastard!” I launch myself at him, nails aimed at his scarred face, but Alaric catches me around the waist. “You ruined my life! You made me complicit in trafficking children!”

“I made you useful,” Dante corrects calmly. “For two years, you served a purpose greater than your small ambitions.”

“You sick, twisted monster!” I struggle against Alaric’s hold, wanting nothing more than to claw Dante’s eyes out. “I want to kill you!”

“Kasimira, think about the baby,” Alaric says, his own voice shaking with rage.

“The baby.” Dante’s expression darkens. “Yes, that complication needs addressing. The Russians are quite concerned about timeline delays.”

He gathers the documents, continuing, “She can’t escape these obligations. Twenty-three companies, fifty million in laundered money, dozens of federal crimes spanning multiple jurisdictions. She’s tied to this network whether she likes it or not.”

“There has to be a way out,” I say desperately.

“The only way out is death. And even then, the companies would transfer to the next of kin.” Dante’s smile is reptilian. “Perhaps to your unborn child.”

“Enough.” Marco’s voice cuts through the room like a blade. He’s been silent through this entire revelation, standing by the window with his back to us. “We have guests.”

“What guests?” Alaric demands.

Marco turns around, and his face is pale but resigned. “Kasi, I hate that it had to come out this way.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The Russians. They’re here.”

“You’re working with them?” Alaric asks.

“Yes. For years now. Business was moving smoothly until she decided to run away and complicate everything.”

Alaric’s face goes white with rage. “You betrayed your own family.”

“I saved the family!” Marco yells. “Dante was obsessed with control instead of profit. The Russians were losing patience with his inefficiency.”

Dante goes very still, his voice deadly quiet. “So you killed me.”

“I tried to take down an obstacle that was costing us millions. The plane crash was supposed to solve two problems—remove you and draw Kasi back into the operations through the will.”

“You knew about the will,” Alaric realizes, staring at Marco like he’s seeing him for the first time.

“Of course I knew. Dante told me his contingency plans. Marry Kasi to family leadership, keep the networks operational, ensure business continuity.” Marco’s smile is cold. “I just didn’t expect the two of you to start having sex and have an actual baby on the way.”

“Hold on a damn minute,” Dante says, pointing one finger in the air. “You sabotaged my plane.”

“I solved a problem,” Marco replies. “But you had to survive, didn’t you? Had to come back and ruin everything?—”

The sound of footsteps in the hallway cuts him off. Multiple sets, moving in the same rhythm.

“What’s that?” I whisper.

Marco checks his watch. “Right on time.”

Alaric and Dante both draw their weapons simultaneously.

“How many?” Alaric demands.

“Enough.” Marco pulls out his own gun. “Boris doesn’t like to take chances.”

The footsteps stop outside the study door. Then it opens, and six men in dark suits enter like they own the place.

Boris Petrov leads them, a pale man with cold eyes who surveys the room like he’s evaluating real estate.

“Good morning, family Moretti,” he says in heavily accented English. “We have business to discuss.”

“How did you get past security?” Alaric demands, reaching for his weapon.

“Your cousin provided access codes and patrol schedules. Very helpful, this Marco.”

I turn to stare at Marco, ice flowing through my veins. “What?”

“This bastard really did try to kill me,” Dante snaps.

“Fuck it, Dante,” Marco says, his usual charm evaporating. “I told you we needed to take care of the Russians, but I knew it was a dead mission with you. I knew you would never stop obsessing over her and your father being together.”

Boris’s men spread throughout the study, blocking all exits. “Emotional family drama is touching, but we have practical matters to resolve. The money laundering operation must resume immediately.”

“What do you want?” Alaric asks, his hand still hovering near his weapon.

“Continuation of existing arrangements. Mrs. Moretti signs whatever documents we provide, operations resume normal schedule, everyone profits from a stable business relationship.”

“I’m not signing anything,” I say.

“Then you will die, and we will forge your signature. Either way, business continues.”

“The shell companies belong to me since I’m alive,” Dante points out.

“Dante Moretti is officially dead,” Boris replies. “Very difficult to conduct business as a dead man. We prefer working with living partners.”

“Meaning me,” I realize with growing horror.

“Meaning you. Whether willingly or under coercion, you will resume your role as face of our operations.”

“She’s not resuming anything,” Alaric snarls.

Boris shrugs. “Then the entire family dies, and we find new arrangements. Russians are practical people.”

The study crackles with tension as weapons appear in hands around the room. Marco pulls out a gun, though I can’t tell whose side he’s on anymore.

“This is how it ends?” I ask, my hand protectively covering my belly. “Everyone is fighting over who gets to control me?”

“This is how it begins,” Boris corrects. “New phase of business relationship with better management structure.”

Dante and Alaric exchange a look that carries years of complicated history. Despite everything between them, they’re still family facing a common enemy.

“Marco,” Dante says quietly. “You made one mistake.”

“What’s that?”

“You forgot that I learned to survive from the best teacher in the business.”

“Your father didn’t teach you everything, cousin.”

“No. But he taught me enough.”

The air in the room shifts as three different factions prepare for war. Russian killers, a betraying family member, and two Moretti men who might hate each other but hate outsiders more.

My unborn child kicks restlessly, as if sensing the violence about to explode around us.

The sanctuary we thought we’d built has become a battlefield where everyone wants to claim ownership of my future.

And I’m tired of being property to be divided between monsters.