Lucius (Acquisition Series #4) - Celia Aaron Page 0,45
myself glancing around, hoping for a glimpse of Lucius. He shouldn’t even be here, but now I wonder where he is. Surely he hasn’t been caught?
“The laws of our society are clear. Concerning the Sovereign, no one can make a move against the Sovereign during their ten-year term. The Sovereign is sacrosanct, untouchable, and his—or her—” He gives me a simpering smile. “—family is part of that untouchable unit. I suppose to prevent kidnapping and extortion attempts, but I digress.” He waves a hand. “As the Acquisition does not have a mechanism for abdication, and the choice of Sovereign is absolute once made, the laws of our society still apply.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “Are you saying Sinclair Vinemont is still the Sovereign?”
He stops in front of me. “I’m saying that we live and die by the rules written down by the first families to participate in the Acquisition. We can’t follow them piecemeal. They are the underpinnings of everything we do here. I’m currently serving as interim Sovereign in the true Sovereign’s absence. As I’ve said, we will have the trials in the near future as is required in our laws. Until then, I will continue steering the ship.”
No words form themselves on my lips. Nothing. How could they still be following this legalistic nonsense when the Vinemonts are the very reason they have to rebuild at all? I’m not saying I want them all wiped off the face of the earth—admittedly, a fairly recent development in my mindset. But I’m also fairly certain that the original founders of the Acquisition would’ve had the Vinemonts hunted down and ripped apart.
“That’s not to say we haven’t had a few members try to take matters into their own hands. But that’s neither here nor there.” He clasps his hands together. “Enough talk of the law. May I have another dance?”
I give him a coquettish smile. “I wouldn’t want Charles to get jealous.”
“Indeed.” He gives me a slight bow. “Please return inside when you’re ready. I’d like to present you to the assemblage.”
“Of course.” At this point, I’d rather chew glass.
“And Evie?”
“Yes?”
“I sincerely regret what happened to Red. He was a fierce competitor. I saw him at the third trial.” He sighs like it’s a fond memory. “The way he took control and proved to everyone that he had the stomach for being Sovereign. It really was a sight to behold.”
“Thank you.” I say it as graciously as I can despite the blood draining from my face. Despite knowing he’s talking about how my brother killed a woman in cold blood. Hung her right in front of her own daughter to prove just how vicious and depraved he could be.
“See you inside.” He returns to the party, his black tux like a smudge on the night.
I take a breath, then another. My gorge keeps rising, and I have to fight it down. I wasn’t at the last Acquisition, mainly because I wasn’t out in society yet. My mother had strict rules on where I could and couldn’t be seen. With that said, I think she would’ve allowed me to accompany her to the trials if Red hadn’t vehemently forbidden it. I remember being hurt that he commanded I stay home. I thought he didn’t want me getting in the way of him winning the Acquisition. Because I knew in my heart that my big brother would win it all.
I was such a fool. More and more, I realize Red showed me one tiny sliver of his true self. The only bright part of him, the slimmest shard that could still love and protect someone. The rest of him … Well, I know about that part now. About all the horrible things he did to win, but also to protect me. It’s all so twisted up—love with duty, protection with pain. Red brutalized people. Some of it he did for me, but not all. It was never all for me.
The music turns livelier as the partiers take over the dance floor.
After waiting as long as seems safe, I rise and walk toward the French doors that open onto the veranda. My foot aches, and I still search through the crowd for Lucius.
Beau catches my eye and motions for me to join him at the front of the ballroom. I can’t deny him, no matter how much I wish I could just back away and disappear.
I step into the ballroom, then yelp as someone grabs me from behind.