would become easy for everyone to see. Was I that transparent when I watched the incubus?
"I'm still an angel, Lyra. Your association to him is seen by me. My eyes were gifted to see connections. It is why your father allowed Talon to stick around so long. I saw what he meant to you."
"But I don't have a direct connection to him."
"No, but your heart does. When he brought you home that day, I knew we'd never say goodbye to the man that rescued you."
"I never knew you could see connections." I swallowed hard.
August smirked at me. "You're not the only one with dangerous secrets. How do you think your father knew who to use against rivals for them to take him seriously?"
"You're a dangerous man, August. I am grateful I stand at your side, not against you."
"Lyra, you will always stand before me. I am like a knight to your family. With my king gone, you have become my queen," he reverently stated.
"Your sacrifice to my family is seen, August. You are my family."
After our sweet words, my father's closest friend went to handle our next issue. We'd clean up our inner workings, and my name would be known as a result.
My father's men would see I could handle this life just fine. I had August's help to handle the problems as I sought them out.
I noticed Roan went somewhere else. He left the courtyard, probably needing a shower. Simone was in the same spot, sitting beside Barcel. Her eyes were tracking my righthand man heading back inside. She quirked her lips at me, understanding what couldn't be spoken.
I hadn't seen her lately in the shower room, but I knew it was because the monster pulling her strings. One day, I'd bring Barcel to his knees.
He was the largest threat to my family's business. He was also my greatest enemy in this place. He knew my weakness was my family, and I knew he planned to keep using it against me.
Before I could check on my cousin, something hard slammed into my shoulder. Hands thrust me into the corner of the wall before whipping me around to face my attacker.
Caine snarled at me as my hair tangled in the fence. His vicious stare saw me as his enemy. I didn't move or flinch as he tried to scare me.
"What. The. Fuck. Do you think you're doing?"
"I'm not sure I follow. I was just standing, Caine."
"Gregor paid me a visit. Imagine my surprise when he told me Talon gave him a tip. A tip that we both know he'd only deliver for you. Then, tickle me surprised when I found out the mole was murdered right under my nose."
"I didn't kill him," I assured.
"Oh, we both know you don't kill, Lyra. Your white wings depend on it” His dark eyes were void of any sympathy. I was used to the dark side of Caine. “His neck was snapped. We both know that's Augustine's favorite kill tactic. Quick and easy, without leaving a trail."
"Why does this concern you?" At my question, his fingers laced over my throat. He squeezed it tight enough that no air could move through.
"I will be the leader when we get out of here, Lyra. Armoni's empire will be mine. Don't worry, I'll let you continue to live in your tower. You're just going to stay the hell out of my way."
He let me get in one good breath to formulate my response. "Armoni might've loved you like his own, but I'm his blood. You were not privy to everything, Caine."
"And you were?" There was no mistaking his anger. Caine had always had a jealousy issue. It was piquing now with my slip.
"Let me go, Caine. If you want to do something productive, how about you stop trying to make allies with a man that just tried to kill our family after your attempt."
That was the worst thing I could say. I just poked the bear.
Caine chuckled, shaking his head. There was a glint in his eyes that told me he held his own secret. Unable to swallow from his tight hold, I tried to keep my eyes locked with his.
Though, over his shoulder, I could see a few others had gathered to see the showdown of stepsiblings. Axel tried to figure out what was happening, and Barcel gave me a wicked grin. He knew we weren't united as a family.
Caine was giving him another thing to use against us. Through the Stamos line, division prevailed.
"You're holding