me, so be it.” Winter looked away, crossing and swinging her leg as she enjoyed several sips of wine.
Anger surged within me. The game she was playing could certainly destroy everything the Council had worked for, including Capodanno Enterprises. I gambled with what to say to her, knowing that I could destroy the little closeness we’d found. I eased out of the seat, moving to one in front of her, grabbing her hand when she attempted to get up.
“Don’t, Winter. You need to understand something clearly. Don’t ask questions that you don’t want honest answers to. I am many things, including ruthless, but I refuse to lie.”
She gave me a hard onceover, her lips twisting. There was such hate in her eyes where I’d seen utter desire only thirty minutes before. The entire situation was gut-wrenching. “Go on.”
“You are an extremely intelligent woman. That means you are completely aware there is always a balance of power in any organization, whether corporate, political, or one involving a family. At times that may seem like justice isn’t being served, but there usually reasons behind the rules that are imposed. The Sacred Sect is no different. The men who began the organization tried to follow the rules as laid out by society. Right versus wrong. Good versus evil. They believed in God, assuming that their prayers of finding a better life would work.”
“Some people still live by the golden rule. They don’t resort to murder or even an eye for an eye in order to get what they want, pretty little trinkets of gold,” she retorted.
Sighing, I rubbed my fingers across her hand, curtailing my frustration. We’d both been orchestrated into this marriage by people we’d trusted. At least I’d been privy to some advance notice. “Expensive houses and luxurious cars weren’t the reasons my great-grandfather did everything in his power to provide more for his family. He simply wanted food. A roof over their heads. Medical expenses paid. Jobs were given to those who were favored and to the criminals who did the dirty work for the mafia families who truly ruled New York. He thought of a better way. While some activities might be considered criminal to some, the way of life has also provided for hundreds of outsiders. Jobs. Security. Homes.”
She laughed. “You make the Sacred Sect sound like a charitable organization, instead of what you are. Extortionists. Murderers. Saboteurs. I believe that places the sect in the category of monsters. Or maybe the devil himself.”
“What I am? You seem to forget that you are one of us. You are a Sacred Sect member and you have been your entire life.”
While her eyes registered her own level of anger, she remained quiet.
“Mr. Capodanno. We’ll be arriving at the Golden Isle Airport in ten minutes.”
As the pilot’s voice sounded over the speaker system, she glanced out the window. “Home sweet home or some posh hotel for the rich and famous?”
I rose to my feet, gazing down at her. “I guess you’re going to have to wait to find out.” As I moved toward one of the cabinets, I could feel her heated gaze, could even read her thoughts. She would have no issue planning my death. After unlocking the combination, I reached inside, pulling out the Glock I knew had been positioned inside, slapping an ammunition clip inside and grabbing several others as well as the bag that had also been left. There would be enough cash for any needs that hadn’t been provided by the caretakers Christian had hired.
The jet was owned by Capodanno Enterprises, the various compartments containing everything we would need to work from a distant location, including methods of security.
When I turned, she was shaking her head. “Do you enjoy living as if each day is your last?”
“Make no mistake, Winter. Both the sect and Capodanno Enterprises have enemies. I don’t take the various threats that are issued lightly. You shouldn’t either.”
“I don’t want to live my life looking over my shoulder. That’s not living.”
“You’ve been sheltered for far too long. Powerful people play dangerous games, including your father. He has some very influential friends, men and women who would stop at nothing to keep him protected. While I’m disgusted your parents kept you in the dark, the ugly fact is that you have a price on your head just like I do. I will do anything necessary to keep you safe.”
“Including murder?” she asked quietly. From where I stood, I could tell that her lower lip