CHAPTER TWENTY - TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO: THE GAME ETHAN POV So, how do you suppose that I will support this plan?" "I don't need to tell you which choice is the best. You already have your brain working in overdrive, so pay attention to what it is telling you." She spends far too much time observing me. I don't make an effort to break eye contact. A war of glances with Rose has a certain allure—another thing that hasn't changed. She first turns her head aside when someone clears their throat. Hades trails off, "If you're done with your honeymoon." I look Rose a seductive glance, "Nah, the honeymoon starts tonight." 'As if..."She taps me on the shoulder and unlocks the door of the vehicle. I mutter to Hades, "She's kinky." She turns to face me again while fuming, her cheeks looking flushed. "I am not. I heard that." The answer is, "Well, one of us is." Hades twitches his lips but does not fully smile. Rose's cheeks begin to flush even more, but she ignores me, asking, "Can I count on them coming to the brunch?" Hades's temperament alters even as his expression stays the same when the secluded wife is mentioned. His muscles have a subtle tension that an average person wouldn't detect. I believe this because we were taught to interpret body language, particularly that of an adversary, prior to an attack. Hades is standing there right now, poised to strike. "That's quite interesting, huh?" He smiles and says to Rose, "You know her health isn't good right now. When he doesn't respond, she continues, "I insist. Come on, it will be in the afternoon, and I won't keep her for long." She pretends to be adjusting the collar of my shirt as she leans in and brushes her lips against my ear, telling me, "I'll text you the day and time. Her obstinate voice makes my d*ck f*cking erect when she whispers. This is not over yet. It most certainly isn't. ROSE AMARA POV "Exactly nothing?"As Eya and Zeth sat in the living area of my room, I looked up at them. More accurately, I sit. Even when I tell my two guards to take a nap, they still won't do it. Zeth replies in a stern voice. "I even asked underground, miss. "And nobody knew anything about Ethan Amber before he joined the La Fratellanza." "Not even before the time of Uncle Raven?" He makes a head motion. Eya adds, standing with her knees apart and arms in front of her as if she's on alert, "There's another thing." 'What?" "The surname Amber could be made up or falsified." Great. The biggest mystery of all is the man I chose to be my husband. I didn't expect a thorough report when I ordered my guards to dig into him, but I did believe I would at least learn something about his past. Anything is acceptable as long as I can use it against him. The way I got confronted by Hades' automobile earlier still makes my fury boil. Just a few days ago, Ethan arrived, and now he gets to do crucial business on Father's behalf. I've known for a very long time that I live in an unfair world where gender plays a role, but this time the sting is different. I feel like I gave him more of my power, but that won't happen again. I reprimand myself, "You can't let it happen again." 'Miss?" I fix my gaze up at Eya. 'Yes?" "With all due respect, may I inquire as to your decision to wed an evasive partner?"She and Zeth exchanged glances. "We are concerned about you." "We have never before observed you to be ill," Zeth adds. Really, those remarks shouldn't have been spoken. The ice I've been growing and hardening into razor-sharp blades is now melting at their worried looks. In these two, I've never witnessed loyalty that is that profound. Without a doubt, they would risk their lives to save me, even though I would never let it. They are much more than just guards in my eyes. They are family, and I defend my family even if it means fighting teeth. "You shouldn't be concerned. As Ambers, we consistently triumph. In addition, just though he hides his past, doesn't mean it still exists. " 'What do you mean?" Eya asks. 'It means I have to dig harder with the man himself." Zeth shifts his attention to Eya then back to me. 'He could lie." 'I won't be obvious about my digging, so he won't figure it out. First of all, I want to do a secret DNA test to know if his parental relationship with his father is real. I'll get you Ethan's hair." 'Nathan's won't be easy to obtain." Eya grimaces. 'His security is like a fort." 'We can bribe one of the servants," Zeth offers. "They are not amenable to bribery, and the entire situation could backfire on us. Nathan won't remain silent if he discovers that I'm watching him, and because I looked into his finances, I've already stepped out on a limb with him. I'll invent an excuse to see his wife." "Yes, Stella likes you and questioned you frequently during the wedding." "Let's hope she doesn't change her mind after I do this, because if she really is my mother-in-law, she'll know I'm not being honest with her about her son." My guards and I continue strategizing for the brunch throughout the remainder of the evening. I can't invite the Italians to participate in our home. The spouses of any Italian would never be sent to the Russians' compound. Although we may be allies, no one can fully rely on the other because of the jungle law. So that the Italians can feel that they share our level of control and are consequently safe, it must be a shared area that is open to the public. I'll need Belle to come with me so I can feel more at home among my people. Her presence would have been ideal. Belle becomes excited when I inform her about the brunch after my guards have left and I spend some time with her. She gets excited at even the smallest variation in her routine because she has been protected all of her life. Her happiness rubs off on me, and I return to my room grinning broadly. You'll see Ethan.