Page 91 of Ruthless Lord

I tremble with anger. I stare at the bushes and think about losing tennis balls in there. Dad used to throw them to me and I’d whack them as hard as I can. Some rolled down the long hill and disappeared inside the shrubs, lost to time. I wonder if I could dig any out, even so long later.

“I need to know if my grandfather is a part of this or not.”

Stefano’s lips tug into a tight frown. “I thought you said you and your grandfather were working together?”

“That’s the thing.” I slump down in my seat, hugging myself tighter. “Grandfather isn’t normally a patient man. But he hasn’t reached out for information at all since we got married.”

“That’s not like him.” Stefano grumbles to himself.

“Exactly. The only reason he wouldn’t be constantly on me is if he’s got another source.”

“You think they’re working together.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time my grandfather used a member of his family to get what he wants.”

“I thought they were enemies.”

“Dad wants to be the heir desperately enough to do anything for it. He’d happily spy on you for Grandfather.”

Stefano strokes his face with a groan. “You have a fucked-up family.”

“I’m aware.”

“Are they always like this?”

“Pretty much. You get used to it.”

He grunts and starts the engine. “What should we do then?”

“If we’re going to take my father down, I need to catch my grandfather as well.”

“Adriano would be very interested to learn that his new ally isn’t exactly as trustworthy as we had hoped.”

“But we need definite proof. Grandfather will happily throw Dad under the bus if given the chance.”

“That’s why you want to wait. You want to get both of them.”

“Exactly. And we can do it if we’re smart and careful.”

He lets out a long breath. It’s clear he hates this. He’s looking at that gate like he wants to walk over and smash it with his bare hands.

“I don’t like playing games.”

“I know, but we have to be smart about it.”

“I’m a cage fighter. This subtle shit—” He waves a hand in the air before bashing his fist against the steering wheel. “It’s not me.”

“Then leave it to me. I’ve been doing this my whole life. Trust me, we can catch them if we’re smart about it.”

“I trust you,” he says, turning the car around. “But the second we have what we need, I’m going to break your fucking father for hurting you.”

“When the time comes, I promise. No more leash.”

He shows his teeth in a vicious grin. “That’s what I like to hear.”

Chapter 28

Stefano