Mak’s grip on the armrest tightened as he nodded in agreement. ‘All good, but time is of the essence. Until then, I can see if the Signet charities can assist with food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities. Possibly even industry training andbuilding a Sauvage factory on Selburnia will bring the jobs here instead of offshore. Will that help to make the deal sweeter?’
‘Perhaps,’ Zolan conceded, relief on his face. ‘I’ll speak to my family, but you have my tentative support for now.’
He inhaled, reached into his shirt pocket, and grasped an object.
He leaned forward and slid Saba’s wedding diamond across the table to Mak.
Mak’s eyes narrowed, his temple furrowed, and he whipped his eyes to Saba.
‘That yours?’
Saba raised her chin in affirmation. ‘It is. He took it off me on the flight.’
Zolan huffed. ‘Didn’t want you rushing to her guns blazing before I was ready for you.’
Mak scoffed, taking hold of the gem and handing it to Saba. ‘Or you just wanted me to stew in rage at how you one-upped me.’
‘That too,’ Zolan murmured with some solemnity.
Tucking the jewel in between her breasts in her bra, Saba still sensed a wariness in Zolan’s voice, the reluctance to trust Mak and the Essen dynasty.
The weariness from decades of conflict was heavy, casting a shadow over their tentative coalition.
‘I’mma let the ring go. We’ve bigger fish to fry, but try another move like that, and I’ll have your soul,’ Mak said, rubbing his head and wincing with the movement.
‘Your prerogative,’ his cousin rasped.
They shared an extended stare as Mak narrowed his flaming eyes, making clear his menace.
‘About the alliance, we have to tread with care. Our families have been enemies for too long, and not everyone will accept this sudden change of heart.’
Zolan nodded, understanding the gravity of Mak’s words. ‘Agreed. We’ll have to approach this with caution, but I believe it’s worth the risk. I’ll also require support with the Solanite threat, a danger to us all. We’re facing a radical and ruthless enemy, and we can’t afford to let them continue to cause chaos in our clans.’
Mak jerked his chin. ‘Let’s keep the ruse going for now that we’re enemies still. Until Tewa is captured, at the least, for his conspiracy against us both.’
Her husband flicked a glance first at Saba, then at her sister. ‘Saba, Shiloh, we need your help tofokkin’ shut down your uncle. Can we count on you?’
Her allegiance to the man she loved was unquestionable. ‘Naam,’ she said with conviction.
Her twin was slower to the mark, her face clouded with indecision. Zolan glanced at her, his eyes plaintive.
She nodded with a sigh. ‘Anything, for you, my love.’
It appeared devotion was winning over greed, after all.
Over the following minutes, Mak told them what he wanted them to do.
As they discussed the details of his plan, Kaal gave a grunt of satisfaction.
‘Do tell,’ Mak invited.
‘I’ve managed to gain access to Zolan’s systems. I’ve been scanning to see what Ladik was up to and if I could find dirt on the Solanites. I’ve found a link to a dark web server that the Solanites are using to coordinate their attacks. I’ve also unearthed solid proof that Sejazmatch Tewa is one of their leading fanatic leaders, along with a Seer called Khaman.’
Saba’s heart sank. The name was that of Aveline’s husband.
Kaal went on, oblivious to her consternation. ‘He was pushing Ladik, who indeed hacked us. In recent messages, he has been advocating for the restoration of a Solanite separatistgovernment to take over the Syndicate. His plan, in writing, was to eliminate both heads of the Sauvage and Asivan clans, then utilize their combined power to overthrow Signet and seize control of their businesses. As well, he’s been paying criminals andsachemto attack and destabilize our families and steal from supply chains to fund the movement.’
Mak’s expression darkened as he processed this new information.
