4. Regina

                          I take one last look in the mirror and then make my way to the office downstairs. It's past ten and aside from the men patrolling outside, everyone has retired to their rooms. Lifting a book off the shelves, I press a button that opens a secret door then push it open and press the lift button. It opens immediately because no one uses it. Once I step inside, things go back to how they were, the door closing and the shelves returning to their normal position. I lived in this house my whole life but I never knew about the secret rooms until I defied papa. Then he turned into someone else. Someone I couldn't recognize. It's been that way for years now. Except, now I'm the one he can't recognize. It makes me wonder if he's ever regretted his decision. Would things have been different if he'd stopped when I begged him to?

The elevator stops and the doors slide open. As I walk into the room, my heels announce my arrival. There are days like today when I expect him to turn his head and look at me but then remember he can't. He's paralyzed.

"Papa, have you missed me?" I ask moving to stand at the foot of the bed "Oh, I forgot you can't speak so I'll give you an update on my life as always. For starters, Ophelia is flourishing. You should see her. If you weren't so hellbent on getting rid of her, I might have let her meet you once. But I grew up without a grandfather and I turned out fine. I'm sure she will too. What puzzles me is why Gambone hasn't asked for his share of Vincelli territory. What do you think he's up to?" At that, papa's eyes harden but that's about as much as he can do.

Once upon a time, I could have sworn I was the most important thing to him. Until I touched his consigliere. Then I found out how much I meant to him. It's been years but I can still remember what he told me that day. The exact words he'd used.

(You should have stayed innocent and not gone around spreading your legs like your whore of a mother)

It took me more years to finally understand what he meant. Hence the reason he's lying in this bed, still breathing.

"I will be recruiting new men this weekend. Guess those old farts have no choice but to send their spies again. Do you know what's funny? It's that none of them has ever made the last cut. What happened to the men you were so proud of, Papa? The sons who you should have had instead of me? Where are they?"

A glare is all I get. It's the only thing he can do so I don't blame him.

"Federico's been meddling in my business again. He's a good ally but nosy. Of late, he's been acting as if we're friends. Papa, in your world, what is the definition of a friend? Should I trust him?" His eyes flash the way they normally do whenever I mention Federico. If he could talk, I'm sure he would curse me to hell and back. I guess cutting off his tongue was a good call "Ophelia's birthday is coming up. She gets one more year before I start training her. Aren't you happy to know that at least Vincelli women are strong? No man will ever look down on us. Thanks to you, the organization is going to be run by the women in the family. Forever. That is your legacy, Papa. When you have time, please let yourself be proud of that achievement. See you soon"

I leave through the same way I came in. Instead of going to bed, I settle in the office and get to work. Sleeping means dreaming of him and I refuse to live in the past. Until I get my thoughts under control, sleep is out of the equation. There are recruitment forms on top of the desk. I sift through them and immediately know those who might make it and those who won't. Four of them look like they were sent by the clan elders. If even one of them makes it, I will turn him into one of my people. Or at the very least, make him a double agent.

My only concern now is how to get that bastard Federico away from me. I already gave him half of the territory like we'd agreed but he told me to hold on to it. Claiming that when the time was right, he would come for it. It's been eight years already. Why hasn't he claimed it? I've tried offering him money for it but he refused. I can't figure out what he's after and for that reason, I've never fully trusted him. Now that he's trying to make rumors of our alliance resurface, I'm even more suspicious of him. If only I could figure out...

"I hope you're thinking about me"

I startle, my heart almost beating out of my chest. But at the same time, my hand goes to the right side of my desk where a gun is always lying. By the time I point it at the intruder, he's already standing in front of my desk. I got comfortable because I'm at home.

It won't happen again.

"Dying by your hand is also a nice way to go"

"Why the fuck are you here?" I ask still pointing the gun at him. He casually sits on the edge of the desk, seemingly unbothered by the gun aimed at him.

"I wanted to see you"

"In the middle of the night?"

"I would have left if you were asleep"

Fuck him. He's basically telling me how lousy my security is. If he'd walked in through the front door, the guards would have notified me of his arrival. Does he enjoy making fun of me? What would happen if I just pulled the trigger and did away with him? Lord, how many times has he done this?

Fucking creep.

"If you don't tell me why you're here in the next five seconds, I will put an end to your miserable life"

"Darling, believe me when I say it would be an honor to be killed by the Black Queen"

"Four seconds, Federico"

"I already told you why I came. Weren't you listening?"

"Two..."

He sighs, looks away then back at me, and says "I thought it was time"

"Time for what?" Has he finally come to collect his share of the territory?

"If I say the debt you owe me, will you cut me out of your life after I collect it?"

"Naturally. What else do you expect?"

"We've known each other for more than ten years. I consider you my friend, Regina. Do you feel the same?"

Is he high?

"There is no such thing as friends in the world we live in. I thought you knew that better than anyone"

"Can't I break the rules just this once? For you?"

"What has gotten into you? Did you lose one of your people? Who was it?"

"If I say yes, can I get a hug?"

"No. But you have my condolences. I will have my lawyer send you the papers and you can pick whatever property you want. This house will not be included"

"You don't have to give me half of your territory. I'll take a hug instead. Hug me Regina and your debt will be cleared"

Seriously, what the fuck has gotten into him? Did he lose someone important? In the past, he'd ask that I sit with him while he drank and he never drank more than one glass. Why is he being weird today?

"Not necessary. I'm fine with the original deal. If there's nothing else, please leave. I have to update my security"

"You stubborn woman. Do you really not know the real reason I'm here or are you pretending?"

"I like you better when you get straight to the point. It's not like you to beat around the bush"

"Okay. Your wish is my command, my queen. Have a wonderful night" he leaves as quietly as he came in, leaving me baffled. Why was he here? In the past, there were times he showed up and a few days later, someone tried to attack me. Is that the case today? Maybe he wants me to stay alert. Damn it! Why can't he just be honest? I hate it when he doesn't give me a heads-up just so he can show up last minute and act like a hero. Do I look like a damsel that needs saving? Picking up the phone, I call Mateo. My head of security. We spend the better part of the night looking for loopholes in the system. By the time I go to bed, it's six in the morning. I don't know how long I sleep but a loud crash startles me awake. I'm up and running downstairs with a gun in my hand.

Fuck Federico to hell and back. Why didn't he give me a heads-up about this? And who is stupid enough to try and break into my house?

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