Page 59 of Until Death or Defeat

I’m annoyed by his accusation, but even more annoyed that it leads me to some self-doubt. I mean I have no idea what Leo said besides what little I heard, maybe it isn’t proof of anything at all besides my paranoia?

“Look, you are my priority here, okay? I would never bring Leo around if I doubted him. He’s a little much but I know he loves his family. I want you to trust me...or else I’m gonna feel like a fuck-up as the new Head if I don’t have my perfect sister’s approval,” he muses with a teasing smile.

I can’t help the smile spread on my face as I slap his arm. “I don’t know about Leo right now but I know you would never put the family in danger okay? Just promise me if you sense anything you follow your gut and don’t just blindly trust everyone.”

He nods, nudging my arm wanting to end the serious conversation. As usual for him.

“Where is Dad anyway?” I ask as I move to a new box.

“Well after the wedding he said he was going away for a while, maybe like a retirement vacation?”

I furrow my brows and look at him through my eyebrows as I’m bent over the box.

“Dad? On a vacation?”

He laughs and grabs some packing tape.

“I guess? He said not to expect him back for a while.”

My phone rings, and when I see Artem’s name flash on the screen I sigh.

“I’ll let you take that,” Caesar says with a soft smile, kissing my forehead as he leaves the room, which eases a lot of my nerves.

“Yes?” I groan into the phone.

“Why do you have the newest phone if you’re not even fucking using it?”

“Iamusing it, I’m just ignoring you. I told you I was busy today so what do you need so badly?”

“The driver told me there’s another car in the driveway and I want to know whose it is.”

“Oh, I thought you were thepakhan, don’t you have resources to find that out?”

I can hear his sigh, and I almost laugh imagining the look on his face.

Wait—fucking no. I will not smile imagining him.

“Tell me who the fuck is there before I come myself Giselle, I’ll only warn you once.”

“So what are the wrong answers? If I say I’m having an affair or if I say I’m plotting your murder, which is worse?”

“So help me God if you don’t fucking?—”

“Leo is here, you grouch,” I huff before he loses it.

“Leo?”

“Yeah, apparently we’re all family again?” I say hesitantly as I raise my brows and grab some more things to put in a box.

“That guy is bad news,” he says coldly.

“Pot calling the kettle black?” I shoot back.

“Just keep your damn distance so I don’t have to intervene.”

Why does his disapproval of Leo make me want to prove him wrong so badly? It’s like when your dad forbids you to see someone, they just strengthen your resolve.

“You don’t trust me?”