Epilogue

EPILOGUE

CALEB

I hate my grandfather’s mansion. It’s a beautiful building, with a style that would be hard to come by in a modern construction, but my associations with the house are nothing but negative.

The butler directs me to wait in the private sitting room, which is decorated in dark wood and dark leather. It’s a masculine space, as Grandfather likes to say.

Nobody offered me a drink.

While I wait, I take my phone out to check my messages.

Seven texted a picture of Miss K grooming Nacho. I smile and text back, ‘Cute.”

Havoc asked something work related, and Vortex texted to complain about covering for Grant’s now-open position. I need to start interviewing for an actual general manager. Preferably one who doesn’t think they can go above me.

I respond to them, then casually browse my emails. There’s nothing new from my mysterious Lockwood contact, and nobody has mentioned anything to me about potential retaliation—yet.

The next family reunion isn’t going to be fun.

I put the phone away when I hear my grandfather approaching. I’m sure Leon thought he was making a statement by making me wait for him, but with modern technology, I’m hardly left sitting with nothing to do.

He’s dressed in a pinstripe suit, with perfectly shined shoes. For a man in his 70s, he’s still extremely fit—both physically and mentally. He understands exactly how to push people’s buttons and how to eviscerate them with words alone.

I stand up to greet him. “Grandfather.”

Leon scoffs at me. “Caleb. You sure stepped in it this time.”

He sounds positively gleeful at the prospect. I force myself not to react in any way. He’ll exploit any sign of weakness.

“Apparently,” I answer smoothly. “Thank you for your assistance in this matter, Grandfather.”

He walks over to the dry bar and pours himself a drink. He stands there and takes a few sips from the glass, his eyes on me the entire time.

When he lowers the glass, he says, “It’s a shame about Grant. I always liked him.”

“Yes. A shame,” I say. “He certainly knew the ins-and-outs of the casino.”

I don’t dare suggest that Grant was invaluable to the organization, or that he will be missed. He wasn’t, and I won’t give Leon anything to latch onto or use against me.

“And now you have the Lockwoods gunning for you,” Leon continues. “All because you couldn’t keep your dick under control.”

I clench my teeth, but I don’t respond.

“I’m half tempted to give in to their demands. It would save me so much trouble.” Leon takes another sip, probably to build tension.

I hate these fucking theatrics.

“But you’re family. I always say, family is the most important thing of all.” Leon meets my gaze. “So you’d better not make me regret any of this. If you fuck up again, my family will be short one person. Better my son mourn you than you ruin everything I’ve worked to build over the years. Understand?”

I swallow hard and nod. “Understood, Sir.”

Leon rolls his eyes. “I’m glad to hear it. In which case, I believe you’re short a general manager. I have a suggestion for that.”

Fuck.

The first string, already getting wound around me.

But it’s fine. If this keeps Seven safe, I’m going to deal with my grandfather.

Seven is more important than anything else.

I promised to protect him, and I will.

No matter what it costs.