Chapter 0229

As I do, Kent turns to glare at me, for just a moment, his expression clearly communicating you're going to pay for that.

I just blink up at him for a second, my fierce eyes saying I’d better.

And then I turn back to Daniel, smiling at him and joining in on the laughter even though I have no idea what was just said.

When desert comes, we're all stuffed. Too stuffed, really, to do justice to the incredible apple tart that’s placed in front of us and

served family-style with cinnamon ice cream. We each take a few bites but concentrate, instead, on the cups of espresso that

are served with the final part of the meal, each of us needing a little perk after so much wine and food.

“That was delicious,” Daniel says, leaning back against his chair and groaning, holding his little espresso cup in his large palm.

“It was,” I agree, smiling at him and then turning my smile politely to Natalia, who hasn’t said a word to me all night. “Thank you

so much for organizing this,” I say. “It really was special.”

“Yes,” she says, sighing contentedly and holding my gaze. “I thought you deserved a final treat.”

I go still and feel Daniel and Kent sit up on either side of me, turning their attention to her. Neither say anything though, leaving it

tome.

“Pardon?” I ask, cocking my head to the side just an inch and forcing myself to raise my espresso to my mouth, taking a little sip

and not letting my hand shudder, not a bit.

Apparently, I think to myself, my first instinct was right. This dinner is about me. Natalia’s just trying to kill two birds with one

stone.

“Fay,” Natalia says, glancing at Alessi for support, and I’m shocked to see him sigh as if in resignation. “It has been so wonderful

to have a chance to get to know you, my dear. But unfortunately, we as a family have some bad news.”

“What are you talking about, Natalia?” Kent says, doing his best to keep his voice even but failing at keeping the anger and

anxiety out of it. I glance at him and see the surprise and suspicion on his face, gratified to see that he, at least, was not in on

this.

“Alessi and I have been consulting,” she says, looking at Alessi again, “with each other, as with the family in Italy.” She turns

back to Kent then, speaking only to him, as if this is not about me at all. “We have come to a decision,” she says, definitely, “that

it is time for the Lippert family to end their association with the Aldens.”

Alessi breaks in here, his voice just as sorry as Natalia’s. “Kent, Fay, Daniel — we are sorry to say it, but we have assessed the

atmosphere here, and Alden is the weak link. If you wish to continue receiving the support of the Bianci family,” he continues,

looking to Kent now, “then we would oblige you to...”

He sighs here, glancing at me a little guilty, as if he’s finally realizing that he’s talking about my father, not some stranger, “we will

require that you take Alden out,” he finishes.

My mouth really does drop open now as I realize that Alessi — Daniel’s uncle, this man who has really been kind to me — has just

casually ordered that my father be murdered.

Continuing, Alessi breathing out

sharply through his nose. “We believe

that the best move for the Li

family is otake over @en’s

indUstt s for yourself. We believe

that if you do so, you will re-establish

yourself as the power in the

Americas, and that the other families

will fall in line beneath us.” Please

read the original content at

.

“Beneath you, you mean,” Kent

growls, and I look up atpim,cOl™!

e-eyedh t sage on his face.

Please read the original content at

“Beneath. Us.” Natalia says, quite

clear about the inflection. An cay

she ee out to pléether and on

Kent’ ubtly implying, I think, that

she is part of the deal. Please read

the original content at

.

And I snap my mouth shut as I realize precisely what just happened.

I'm out.

Natalia’s in.

And this dinner is my final farewell.