Chapter 18

Ares was expecting a call from Corven the following day but didn"t expect the family to be summoned for a meeting. He had woken up to an empty bed, which he didn"t like, but he had been too busy to catch up with Zia.

Yet.He would pin her down after Corven"s meeting and tell her exactly why not waking him before she left was unacceptable.

Erik and Camille were in the elevator when it arrived, and Ares cautiously stepped inside. They both looked nervous.

"Any idea what this is all about, Ares? Corven usually gives us more warning than this," Erik asked and took a hit of his vape.

"Corven does as he wishes. Why? Do you have something to be nervous about?" Ares asked. His fingers itched to punch Erik in the face again, especially after the shit he was going to have to sort out with Galen and Thor.

Camille sniffed. "We haven"t done anything. You don"t have to glare at us, Ares."

"That"s just his face, darling. You know that," Erik said, his vision hazy.

Ares shook his head. "Getting high is a great idea."

"Fuck you, Ares. We aren"t all uptight like you are."

Ares was grateful when the doors slid open to the shared penthouse. There was a low murmur of voices that Ares followed to the board room. Corven was sitting in his usual chair with Emilia on his right. Zia was dressed in a suit, her hair slicked back into a neat bun, and she was still standing on his right with a black portfolio. She didn"t look at Ares, and his stomach plummeted. Something was very, very wrong.

"Take a seat, children. We have important business to discuss," Corven said, his tone like ice.

Ares sat at a striking distance. Red lights were burning in his brain, and his survival instincts were kicking in.

When they were all seated, Zia passed Corven the leather folio. The vampire opened it in front of him and folded his hands. "For the past month, I"ve employed Lucrezia to do a full assessment of you all for me. I needed an impartial third party to help me decide the family"s future."

Ares gripped the arms of his chair so hard, his hands hurt, the words ‘employed Lucrezia' still rattling through his head. He struggled to take a breath.

Erik burst out laughing. "I thought she was too nice to be a real Volso. You lying little bitch. I can"t believe I actually?—"

Corven"s merciless gaze locked on him. "Show some respect when you speak to her, or I will tear out your tongue. You owe money to the sorcerer Galen Murphey and Lord Thor." Erik began to protest, but the vampire hissed. "Shut your fucking mouth, Erik. You are a disgrace and have weakened the Volso family"s position within the council. You are going to Switzerland to rehab. You will do as you"re fucking told, and when I feel like I"m not going to kill you, I will let you return. Now, get out of my sight. There is a car waiting downstairs for you."

Erik looked like he was going to throw up. He scrambled out of the room without another word, probably the smartest thing he"d done all year.

Corven looked at Emilia. "You"re going to university in Paris to study fashion. Pack your things. Your party girl days are done. It"s time to turn your mind to something edifying."

"Thank you, Corven," Emilia whispered and hurried out of the room without looking at anyone.

Ares was still waiting for Zia to look at him, but she kept her eyes forward and face blank. Hurt and betrayal were snaking through his veins like poison. How much of the past week was just a job to her?

Corven glanced over at Camille. "Your charity is being used to launder money for a werewolf cartel."

"What! Corven, I swear I had no idea!" Camille shouted, tears in her eyes.

"I know you didn"t, but maybe it would have been more obvious that something was wrong if you weren"t fucking your board members. The charity will now be dissolved, and this mess with the fucking werewolves will be handed over to the proper authorities. Never shit where you eat, Cami. There"s also a car downstairs to take you to Ireland for a few months until this debacle blows over. Get out," Corven snapped. Camille covered her face with her hands and hurried away sobbing.

Ares waited for the ax to fall on his head. He was going completely numb. Corven looked up at Zia. "Thank you for all of your help and assistance in this matter. Your fee has been transferred. I hope to do business again with you in the future. Please thank your father for me."

Zia bowed to Corven. "Happy to be of service to you, my lord." She left the room without a word of goodbye or a glance in Ares"s direction.

The numbness in Ares wasn"t enough to stop feeling the knife slicing into his black heart and leaving it in pieces.