Perhaps he’s known you survived for some time, or maybe he only figured it out when the story of Mackenzie Malloy’s return hit the news. Either way, he knows that if he has Julian August’s daughter under his power, he can regain control of the family. I think that’s why he got rid of Brentwood, to win you over.”
“Is that what he thinks?” I growl.
Queen Boudica digs her claws into my leg.
That man held me down, pushed my face into a pillow, whispered ‘baby girl’ in my ear. I thought he couldn’t take anything more from me, but then he took my parents, my name, my whole life.
And he thinks he can win my support?
Death is too good for him. I’m going to claw his eyes out. I’m going to cut off his dick and make him eat it.
“You still don’t know where he is.” We need to fix this. I’m tired of looking over my shoulder. I’m sick of letting the locked box of my memories control my life. I am my father’s daughter, and Brutus will pay.
“I’m working on it. I’m checking all his known boltholes, all his associates and business partners. I can only use so many resources, or Brutus’ loyal soldiers will get suspicious. As it is, they can’t see why I’d bother with a security job in Harrington Hills that keeps me away at all hours. They think I should give your contract to them and focus on the club. I’m only getting away with it because Brutus isn’t here.”
“I want to help. I’m sick of being cooped up in here.” I stroke Queen Boudica’s fur.
“You help by keeping those boys of yours under control. You help by bringing back Captain America so we can figure out what the hell Nero is up to. You help by convincing everyone around you that you’re Mackenzie Malloy.”
I don’t like the way he dismisses me. Daddy never dismissed me. He knew I’d make an amazing Imperator. It’s ridiculous that Antony can’t seem to remember the training I’ve had, but I won’t fight him on it tonight.
I will, however, find out what’s really going on at the Colosseum. He’s not telling me the full truth, and that’s unacceptable. Claudia August won’t be made a fool of, especially not by her own flesh and blood.
32
Claudia
“Can you try to not be so…” Noah gestures in Gabriel’s general Gabrielness, “…you.”
He has a point. Noah’s wearing boxing shorts, combat boots, and a black hoodie pulled over his hair. A black mask hangs around his neck, ready to be pulled on as we approach our destination. I’m wearing one of Ainsley Malloy’s slutty designer dresses in a shade of ice blue that perfectly matches my eyes, a white feather boa around my shoulders, and a black wig and heavy makeup that will ensure no one recognizes Mackenzie Malloy in the crowd. But Gabriel… Gabriel is decked out in about twenty heavy gold chains and a backward baseball cap. He looks utterly ridiculous and it’s not exactly an outfit designed to blend in where we’re going.
“Claws, he’s mocking me. Up with this I will not put. Would it be better if I pretended to be you?” Gabriel hunches his shoulders forward and grunts in a deep voice. “I’m Noah. I’m so serious. I’m the living embodiment of Elon Musk’s tunnel project – endlessly boring.”
“Gabriel.” Noah looks tired.
Gabriel jangles his gold chains. “I have no neck and my dick is an airplane filled with accountants.”
“A… what?”
“A Boring 747.”
I hit Gabe on the shoulder. I crack a smile, but inside I’m a bundle of nerves. I know it’s a bad idea sneaking out to the club in the first place. But I have to find out the truth about Antony with my own eyes. Which means I have to take Noah with me, since he can get us in, and Gabriel isn’t going to let us go without him. So now I have an entourage that seems determined to be as obvious as possible.
Antony left for the club some hours ago. Tiberius is on guard duty at Malloy Manor tonight. I’d love to tell him the truth, but I think if things went to the wire he’d be loyal to Antony instead of me. Instead, I call him and say that Noah is going back to his place for the night.
“You want me to send one of the guys to watch the place?” he asks.
“Nope. No one’s going to be stupid enough to go after the senator’s