Page 77 of Scream (Duchess & Devils #1)

Maksim.

"The Board has decided to sell twenty percent of my shares to Ainsworth Industries, Maksim. I'm sorry." Jaxson Prescott says, and to his credit - it sounds genuine.

Mostly, I'm glad he said this before I explained anything about how to evolve PresCorp tomorrow at his ostentatious building.

I lean back in my chair in my office as I stare at him.

He looks fucking gaunt. Pale. Sickly. It makes those freaky blue eyes of his pop even more, but now they look more ashen now.

They don't even focus properly like they did a month ago.

He's a walking corpse.

"You alright, Prescott?"

It takes a couple seconds for him to realize someone has spoken to him.

He sniffs, then clears his throat. "Yeah, man.

Yeah. Just... you know, family stuff. I tried to argue the benefits of what partnering would look like for us, but they're... stuck in that old-age thinking, you know? I guess you would know.”

I wouldn’t. Giordano’s have always swayed with modernization of life.

The clubs may be classic – Inferno being the one that stayed in Speakeasy ways, my grandfather having won it back in the 1950s during a poker game with a Syndicate member – but, all in all, we’ve prided ourselves on being able to ebb and flow as the times change.

I bite the inside of my lip between my teeth as I keep staring at the zombie before me, tapping my fingers on my desk.

I’m about to tell him that, no, I wouldn’t understand, but then he sniffs.

“You know, both my boys were killed last year. My nephew. My brother. They expect me to get over that. I’m the last Prescott standing.

I’m just supposed to shove it all back, like they weren’t an integral part of my life.

They say I should get a young wife and start all over again…

but I doubt I’ll live long enough to even teach them the Prescott way.

” He scoffs, but I don’t think he’s even talking to me when he says, “The last in a long line of legacies. What legacy?” he trails off.

Maybe I should call Damon.

“Have you spoken to someone about this?” I ask.

Jaxson nods. “Yup. I'm on all the things. Which is why I’ve been deemed no longer fit to run the company. I really wanted it to go to you,” He blinks.

“But they’re dead set on… merging with the Ainsworths.

” He sits up. “Anyway. I just wanted you to hear it from me, so you don’t waste your time.

” He gathers himself, but it looks like it’s taking all of his energy to even stand. “I’m sorry.”

I give one shake of my head, pitying the man but also a little grateful I didn’t acquire a business in shambles.

“Don’t be. I appreciate you coming by.” I push up out of my chair and round my desk to help him stand.

He’s only a decade or so older than me, but the man has the life-force of an eighty year-old.

I’m amazed he hasn’t collapsed. The good thing is, he came with a barrage of bodyguards, so they’re able to help him out of the deli.

Jonny stares at me from his desk as they all climb into the elevator. Once the doors shut, he points to it, dark brows arched. “That was a blessing in disguise, Boss.”

I grunt in agreement, going back into my office.

Everything has been set into motion for this next move in our lives.

Niko is currently in Boston with Kallum, Daze is now in Chicago, and I’m trying to finish up what I have to do here before we leave for England for Tildy and Derek’s vow renewal.

Everything is… fine. There have been no threats upon my house.

All has been quiet on the Western front.

Because of this, I have been planning an extra getaway to give my wife the honeymoon she deserves, even though business will be mixed – since my father has been worse for wear, his health further rapidly declining.

But I would like to give my wife the experience I wasn’t able to offer her early in the budding days of our marriage.

Due to the contract, I have been paid the two out of the three point three million dollars her father owes me.

I wire each payment back into her bank account.

I recline in my chair and do my favorite thing - think about my wife.

My phone begins to ring, and I glance down to see her face on my screen. “Hello, wife. How was class?”

She flashes me her gorgeous smile, the mid-September foliage behind her a beautiful backdrop.

I can see both Parker and the new kid Bianchi’s done training.

Niko was right - he’s a good, eager, quiet kid.

Elio. And he guards my wife like a fucking dog.

Parker approved of Eli almost immediately after working with him for just one day.

“It was alright, husband. I’m headed to my next class.

” She pauses and then, “Darling, about Kensington.”

“Yes?” I ask, propping my phone up by the computer monitor on my desk.

“I think I’d rather stay at the estate in Wales. I know it’ll be a bit of a drive, but-”

Knowing that’s where Charlie has been laid to rest and that she’s been wanting to visit, I interrupt Sabrina. “That’s fine, cara mia. I don’t mind driving.”

She hums happily, trekking the grounds of Columbia.

“You know, I’ve probably got the best husband in all the world.

” She lowers her voice for this next part.

“I’ve got it on good authority that the manor will be mostly vacant.

There are so many ancient, flat surfaces that quite possibly need a good dusting.

Might be good to rile up the spirits of my ancestors. ” She waggles her impeccable brows.

I laugh. “I know you want to stay the weekend in England, but what if we spend the week in Italy? The wives are dying to see you, and I need to see my father.”

“You know, I’d like to see your father, too.

Video calls don’t do the old man justice.

Maybe we can have him visit us properly soon?

Mother has business here in November with Elena, Jonas’ mum.

Ergh ! This is so unfair! I can’t believe they’re getting married, and we’re missing it. I should be there.”

And we’re back to the reason she’s been upset all week. “Sabrina…”

“It should be against the law for your best friend to not to be at your wedding. I mean, honestly, who’s going to hold her bouquet? She’s got three men.” She inhales sharply. I can tell she’s doing her best not to cry. She looks at the screen, and sure enough, big tears are rolling down her face.

I wait for it.

“I would sue her for emotional distress if I didn’t love her,” she pouts.

There it is.

“Or Damon for… abandonment .” She nods, teary eyes going wide as if it’s a great idea. My little mastermind.

Last week, during dinner with the foursome, she said she was going to sue Maverick for child endangerment – citing that she was the baby they were leaving behind. Maverick merely blinked at her, already used to her antics, and went back to pouring himself a glass of red wine.

The week before that, she told Jonas she was suing him for sibling neglect. Jonas laughed and laughed… and laughed .

The Duchess did not.

I hold in my grin, because I’ve already made plans for them to meet us in Italy at the end of the week.

I called them this morning after their nuptials to both congratulate them and offer time at the villa.

Raven, feeling bad Sabrina wasn’t able to be there for her, was the most enthusiastic.

She even tried to talk to me, but through her excitement, she was so flustered she stuttered so hard she gave up and started signing erratically instead. Parker had to interpret for me.

“We’ll see them soon enough. We have ghosts to rattle, Duchess.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry, darling. I know I should be more ecstatic that we’re finally going on a small trip, and we’ll be able to enjoy each other but…” She inhales deeply again.

I do not like it when my wife is sad.

“I know. You want to be there for your best friend.” My wife has become a soft, sweet little thing – outrageous and dramatic at times when we argue, but then she's like this – pouty and cute – and I love it. No day is the same.After being married almost six months, I can’t understand why any man would be unfaithful.

Why cheat on your partner when you have seventeen different personalities of hers to choose from?

I’ve also learned the more you let your wife lean on you, pay attention to her, feed her, and fuck her the way she needs you to, she becomes a happy, sappy, very sweet thing.

If she’s rude or cranky, start with love.

If she’s yelling at me, I make sure to pry whatever she’s holding in her hands – if it can be used as a weapon – then take her in my arms and kiss her deeply.

Then I ask her to repeat herself. When she does, it’s often a very dazed and confused reiteration without the yelling.

“And now I've gone and mucked up my makeup,” she groans.

“Beautiful with or without.”

She rolls those pretty green eyes at me and then sighs. “I'm at the next building. I suppose I'll see you on the tarmac. I miss you.” She hangs up.And I go back to whatever the hell I was doing, so I can pay my wife all the attention she deserves while we’re overseas .

Wales, United Kingdom

“That’s it, Duchess. Drench your bodyguard’s face. Soak my cock with your gorgeous pussy. Oh, fuck.” I pant.

“Maksim!”

I love the sight of me towering over my wife.

Her arms are locked behind her back where I have them pinned with one hand.

Savage is between her legs, devouring her cunt in the ancient mirror.

A woman being painfully pleasured by her devils.

Almost an exact replica of a painting I saw once. I’ll need to purchase it.