Page 109 of Ruthless Lord

“Not want,” Stefano says, squeezing my hand. “It’s what will happen, Charlie.”

I try to fathom it. Grandfather’s been a force since the day I was born. Even now, well into his eighties, he’s still sharp as a knife and deadly like a crocodile. I never thought the old man would ever actually die.

“We can’t kill him,” I blurt out, desperate and stupid. “I mean, it’s Grandfather, I just?—”

“What did you think would happen?” Adriano asks, eyes narrowed at me. “When you came to me with this?”

“I figured you’d stop him. Hurt him a little bit. I don’t know. I just didn’t think you’d kill him.”

Both men stare at me. Stefano doesn’t release my hand. There’s sadness in his expression, and that’s what finally breaks me.

This is really happening.

And maybe it’s for the best. Maybe it’s what needs to happen. Still, the thought of life without Grandfather is bizarre. It’s almost impossible.

“He’s right, Charlie,” Stefano whispers softly. “We’ll do it quickly. He doesn’t need to suffer.”

“Although I wouldn’t mind if he did,” Adriano murmurs.

I take a moment to process. My heart’s beating up into my throat. I want to stand and walk around in circles just to work some of this anxiety out of my body. Except I know nothing will help.

Grandfather has to die.

I let out a long breath and lean back in my chair. “When will you do it?”

“As soon as I can.” Adriano nods at Stefano. “You’ll make the plans.”

“Done.”

“And what about my father?” I look between the men. “You said it’s better he survived?”

Adriano strokes his cheek and sighs. “As much as I’d love to cut his throat, it’ll be useful to have him at the head of the Westbrook empire. You’d be too suspicious, Charlie, and Stefano tells me you don’t even want it. But I think we can use your father. I think he’ll be very friendly toward our operation after your grandfather is out of the way.”

I feel sick, but he’s right. My dad’s a useful idiot. All he cares about is money and power, and he’ll gladly hand himself over to Adriano so long as he gets to sit at the head of the Westbrook empire.

“We’ll do it.” I lower my head and stare at the floor before turning my gaze back to my husband. He nods to me slightly, his expression strong and firm for both of us. “We’ll rip my family to pieces.”

“I know that wasn’t easy.”Stefano touches his wine glass to mine. “But I’m proud of you.”

I lift my drink to my lips and take a sip. The restaurant is quiet around us. We have a good table in the corner, and I’m stuffedfrom a fantastic meal. I should be in better spirits, but it still feels like I’m making a terrible mistake.

“All my life I was told Grandfather is the undisputed master of our family. I was told I had to learn everything from him, do whatever he said, basically throw myself on his mercy if I wanted a chance at a good life. And now we’re talking about… removing him.” I let out a long breath. “It’s just hard to fathom.”

Stefano nods a little. I’ve been saying the same thing over and over but in different shapes for the past hour, but he hasn’t gotten impatient. If anything, I’m seeing a much more empathetic and caring side of him.

“You know what draws me to you?”

“Aside from my perfect figure?”

He smiles, and his eyes stray to my neckline. “Aside from that. It’s your strength. And it’s the way you’ll do anything to feel like you’re making your own choices.”

I let that one sink in. “Doesn’t feel that way to me.”

“I think you’ve been seeing yourself through the lens of your family for too long. Maybe it’s time to let them go.”

“That’s not all that easy.”

“I’m sure it’s not. Since they’re such great people and all.”