Page 2 of Revealed

I can practically see the wheels turning behind her deep, hazel eyes. That piece of humanity Francesca nurtured within myheir.I’m going to manipulate it, turning Kennedy into whoIwant her to be. Francesca will see her precious daughter turned into the cold-blooded leader I envisioned as a successor.

“They shouldn’t get away with what they did.” Her voice strengthens.

“Today we become a team, working together to avenge your mother and the life that was stolen from us. My men are already finding as much information as they can to make sure we're prepared.”

“Will they come back for me?” Her eyes dart to the window and then the door looking for threats that aren’t there.

“Possibly. But I can train you to be ready if they do. Your purpose is greater than just becoming a victim, Kennedy. All that I own will be yours and I’m going to prepare you for what that entails.” I stand, planning to leave now that the seeds of revenge have been planted.

“I don’t want to be a victim,” she says with soft bravery.

“You won’t. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be training with Nathan in the mornings,” I say with finality, ending our little talk.

My scheme sliding into place eases some of the tension I was feeling earlier. Satisfied, I return to my office to get started on my work for the day. I need to confirm that Kennedy’s tutors and instructors are set to begin teaching this week. The first step of this plan is isolating her from anyinfluences that oppose or distract from my goals for her future.

I’m barely five minutes into my work before someone else is knocking on my office door.

“Come in,” I growl through clenched teeth. It’s the head of my security team, looking as though he would rather be anywhere else. “What?”

“All our leads on the targets are dead ends,” he stoically relays.

My finger twitches with the need to empty the magazine of my gun into his head. If he’d been doing his job, we wouldn’t be in this place to begin with.

“Whatdidyou find?”

“All the men assigned to Michael’s team are gone. Not a single one showed up for their shift. This was thoroughly planned. The car used that night was found abandoned in a hotel lot.” His jaw flexes with words he’s left unspoken.

“Any more news you need to share?” I feel my temperature rising. The need to cause harm is overwhelming me.

He winces but continues. “Maria Eden is missing. Never returned from her vacation. Francesca’s dad mentioned it after the services today but didn’t appear upset that she was gone.”

That explains why she wasn’t present for the funeral. My switchblade clicks open as I move around my desk, standing in front of the man who has served as my head of security for the past six years. I hold the knife under his chin. Victor, my former second in command, would've never let something like this transpire. “Give me a reason not to slit your throat, because I pay you a lot of money to make sure shit like this doesn’t happen.”

“Sir, Michael’s team was fully vetted. According to hispaperwork, there were no issues before Mrs. Rose arrived.” He swallows deeply and I watch as my knife bobs with the motion.

There’s no thought as the knife slices through the skin of his neck. Warmth spurts across my face as I watch his eyes widen. I take a step back, maintaining eye contact, as he clutches his throat and drops to his knees. I want to see his light flicker out. When his body falls forward, and the twitching of his final moments ceases, I return to my desk. I don’t bother changing my clothes. Instead, I allow the blood that covers me to be a reminder that failure will cost you everything.

Chapter Two

FrancescaEden

Louisiana, 1995 - 10 Years Earlier

Today my life changes forever. Being raised as a mafia princess, I knew this day would come, but I’m still bitter as hell about it. Most brides look forward to walking down the aisle, but there’s absolutely nothing for me to be excited about. Fear is a more accurate emotion for this union. Especially considering the only thing I know about my new husband is that his ruthless thirst for power goes unchecked.

Apparently, my father has territory that the Rose family needs. It’s simply a bonus that he has a daughter who can be forced to act as a seal for their business contract. A rather fucking archaic way of handling business, but when the success of negotiations depends on your word, bargaining chips become quite personal.

“Honey, don't scowl. You’ll cause fine lines,” my mom fusses, unhelpfully, from behind me as she pins a short veil into my hair.

I watch my mother through the reflection of my vanitymirror as she fixates on my appearance. My childhood bedroom is spread out around us. This room was the only space in the house where I was allowed to truly express myself. My mother made sure I had that. I admire her hair, her makeup, and her ability to hold it all together. Maria Eden, with her medium-dark skin and deep hazel eyes, is a pillar of quiet strength. She is the perfect partner for a corrupt man—beautiful, subservient, and quiet.

The muscles of my face relax into an expression of nothingness. I want to respond, but I have nothing nice to say. This ordeal isn’t her fault. My father is the piece of shit that deserves my anger.

So I sit here, patiently allowing my mother to fuss over her only child. Neither of us know what this arrangement entails or if we will even see each other again. She couldn’t put a stop to this even if she’d tried, and I wouldn’t have wanted her to. She’s losing me to a future she knows she can’t protect me from, and I’m leaving the only person I’ve ever loved. Father will have no reason to keep her alive now that I’m older and fulfilling my sole purpose.

“Francesca, look at me,” my mother commands softly.

The break in her voice has me turning in my chair. I give my full attention to the woman who gave me life and showered me with as much love as my father would allow. The wall I’ve built around my emotions wavers as I watch sadness fill her eyes to the brim, causing a slight sting in mine.