Page 3 of Scream (Duchess & Devils #1)

Maksim.

EdenCasino she stomps her pink heel in a tantrum like the little Syndicate princess she is.

I do have to say, the blonde is a feisty little thing. She has to be maybe five-foot-six, it’s hard to tell with her magenta heels that match her skirt and blazer. Even the lace gloves on her hands also match her shoes.

She’s so… pink .

My upper lip curls in disgust.

“This is the agreement he and I came to, he asked for your hand and after negotiations-“

“Why wasn’t I a part of these negotiations ?” She whines. “Don’t I have a say in this? My one and only wedding and it’s to a fucking drug lord or whatever the fuck he does!”

“Mind your manners and your mouth when you speak to me, I am still your father!”

“Believe me when I say, Dad , after this, you and I are nothing more than associates working under the same roof. You are dead to me.”

Whoa. She’s got somewhat of a backbone; I’ll give her that.

“Look at me.”

“I am looking at you! I am so furious I could rage-vomit but then it might splash on my Manolo’s, and I have court at two!”she sounds exasperated. Cute.

“Look at me, Sabrina. Really look at me. I wouldn’t ask this of you if I had another choice, if maybe someone from the Syndicate came forth and found you more… attractive…” he trails off.

“And what exactly made me so un attractive that nobody I’ve known my whole life doesn't want to make negotiations with you for my hand?”

“You’ve… gained a few unhealthy pounds… ”

She screams and hurls something at her father and it shatters behind him.

“There was another man-“

“Who?”

David exhales and it sounds painful. “Kane-“

She audibly gags, tensing even further.“Stop it, don't even say that name.”

Interesting…

“Parker said-“

“Parker doesn’t know shit.” she snaps.

“-Not to trust him.”

She relaxes. Her ample chest heaves in slow, even breaths. “So, because I’ve gained a few pounds it’s either him … or the most dangerous man in New York. The literal Devil of New York.”

Oh, so she knows about me. Good. It’ll make staying away from each other easy.

“Sabrina if there were any other way…”

“What is it you once told me when that musician asked for my hand? You can’t turn a heathen into a husband? And this is who you’ve chosen for me?”

David hangs his head in defeat and repeats himself. “If there were any other way, I would have chosen that route.”

She nods in resignation while staring blankly at her father.

I should’ve had Niko install another camera so I could see more of her facial expressions.

“You will walk me down the aisle… and nothing more. Show me the contract. I’ll…

connect with his… I don’t know, does he even have an assistant?

Or is it like, a lieutenant of some sort? ”

Without even wanting to, I laugh, practically choking on the espresso. I grab a napkin and wipe what sputtered out from my chin and the counter and a bit on the screen.

“Yes, he has an assistant at Eden, but he also has a right hand.”

“Don’t be silly, we all have one of those unless you’re born without it.”

David pinches the bridge of his nose at the same time I roll my eyes. “His right hand, Niko, is his enforcer or his consigliere, like an advisor. I’m sure you’ll meet him soon enough.”

“I pray I have absolutely fuck-all to do with meeting anyone or anything that has to do with his… coven .”