TWISTED LOYALTIES

Adrian's POV Laughter and clinking drinks mixed in a dizzying background as the ballroom buzzed. People, friends, allies surrounded me; none of them counted. From across the room, Samantha's eyes were staring at me, weight bearing. She hadn't forgiven me for how I had dragged her into all of this, but I was going to right things regardless of the price. Then I looked out of the corner of my eye and saw them. Standing together at the far end of the ballroom, Victor and Elena squinted as they looked about the audience. Though I could sense the air surrounding them change like a storm about to strike, they had not yet seen me. "Arrian." Samantha had a gentle, almost begging voice. She was by my side, just lightly placing her hand on my arm. I looked at her and sensed her nervousness. My voice tense, I said, "They're here." "Viator and Elena." Her hold on my arm became more firm. "What are you going to do?" My voice was hard, I said, "End this." "Every dark nook of my life Victor has touched with his hand. I stopped letting him run my family. The color of Samantha's eyes darkened. She corrected gently, her voice strong, "Our family." "And you're not doing this alone, Adrian. If you're doing this." The conviction in her eyes stopped me as I was going to tell her no, that I needed her and Leo as far away from this anarchy as possible. She had it exactly. We were in this together; hiding from reality was no longer possible. I nodded quickly, then grabbed her hand and pointed her toward Victor and Elena. When Victor's eye locked with mine at last, we were midway. His brows narrowed, a frigid smile across his face when he saw Samantha at my side. "Adrian," he said, his voice dripping with false affection. And Samantha, too. How wonderful to see you two. Elena's gaze flew to Samantha then back to me, her expression opaque. With a hint of contempt, she continued, "You two look... cozy." Funny how fast you advance, Adrian. I bristled, keeping a steady look. "We all know Elena, you've never really been committed to family unity." Her mouth became tighter. "Do you believe that? You know nothing about the depth of my loyalty. But let me be damned if I let you claim what is rightly ours. The strain was broken by Victor's laugh. "Not about family or loyalty, Adrian. It's about power. Something you ought to have discovered long ago. "Power?..." I laughed incredulously. You are fixating on a name. You, Victor, Blackwood Enterprises do not belong to. And shortly enough the board will see you for exactly what you are. He arched an eyebrow, a flash of entertainment in his eyes. Adrian, you are neglecting one thing. I possess something not possessed by you. Use leverage. Samantha's palm squeezed in mine and I could sense her pulse racing. Not when everything I loved was precariously hanging, but now, I couldn afford to lose my concentration. You have nothing that counts, I remarked, voice icy. "And shortly everyone will see just how empty your threats are." The smile of Victor became wider. Is that therefore? You are the one about to lose everything based on where I am standing. Your firm, your riches, even the small family you have worked so hard to guard. Though I resisted letting it show, a cold passed through me. " You cannot touch my family." "Can't I?" he teased, his gaze flickering momentarily to Samantha. "You missed the storm closing in on you while you were so preoccupied securing your little empire." I tightened my teeth, trying not to grab at him. The only thing grounding me was Samantha's hand in mine. "Enough of your games, Victor," Samantha replied, her voice shockingly quiet. "We're not scared whatever you think you have on us." He arched a sarcastic eyebrow. " bold words, Samantha. When the truth surfaces, I question whether you will still feel the same. Samantha stood her ground even as her face became white. You have no knowledge of us. Victor grinned, a flash of pleasure in his eyes. You are correct. Still, I know plenty. You see? I looked at a rapid movement and felt sinkingly aware that Victor's people had set themselves deliberately about the room. They came to act, not only to threaten. I felt terror biting at me. "You think you can just stroll in here and grab everything I've created?" Keeping my voice low, I said. She laughed. "Who said I came to pick anything? I am here to be destroyed. Then it dawned on me: Victor intended not to seize control. He was coming to wipe everything, to leave me empty. Samantha and Leo belonged to that equation as well. I turned away without thinking, dragging Samantha with. "Your action, Victor, marks your change. It is now my turn. Watching us, he seemed to be amused dancing. "Do what you will, Adrian," says Remember, though, loyalty is a hazardous thing to demand. particularly in light of your failed earning of it. Samantha sensed the weight of the moment and pulled back even though her eyes sparkled. We turned away, negotiating the throng with her hand gripped tightly in mine. The weight of the evening fell on us, the unspoken warnings Victor left hanging in the air. Samantha looked up at me, her eyes seeking once we were far from the throng. "Adrian, he's not going to stop is he?" I gave my head a shake. Not sure. But I refuse to allow him to touch Leo or you. She nodded, teeth set with will. "Then we must have a strategy. a proper plan. I inhaled deeply and turned to face the room where Victor and Elena still stood, their eyes locked on us. "We have few choices now. We have to be ready to risk everything if we are to save our family. Samantha put her hand on mine. "I am ready." A scream burst from the ballroom just then, cutting the quiet between us tensely. Our hearts hammering, Samantha and I whirled about.