Accompanied by duck fat potatoes, sautéed vegetables, truffle and bone marrow butter, horseradish crème fraiche, and a thyme and pinot jus.
Mak ate, sipped his wine, and let Tewa deflate under his glower.
It was only after he’d had a few bites that he continued. ‘You were aware of what Suri meant to me. You knew what I was working for every day to afford the diamonds for her bride price. You were also cognizant that she was getting caught up in religious fervor and wanting to wed the Holy See instead of me. You had a million chances to warn me, but you chose to string me along for years so you could extort more money and gems from me.’
Tewa only shrugged, his eyes avoiding Mak’s gaze.
The racing pulse at his neck signaled his growing fear. ‘Why fret,Šar? You now have a wife. Isn’t that enough?’
Mak’s rage intensified. ‘Remains to be seen,’ he growled, the words heavy with venom.
Tewa’s face blanched, then he wiped his apprehension away with a tremulous smile. ‘Do we still have a dowry agreement? Do I still have the bride price?’
Mak stabbed a portion of his steak with his fork, his voice chilling. ‘I’ll give you the diamonds,’ he said. In turn, I expect your unwavering and continued support on all Sauvage and Signet-related matters put to the Syndicate Council. Cross me one more time, and I’ll tear you apart, piece by piece. I’ll take pleasure in ripping your throat out with my fangs.’
Tewa’s beam faltered, a brief flicker of fear in his eyes before he regained his composure. ‘You wouldn’t dare,’ he muttered, trying to sound confident, but the uncertainty in his tone was clear.
‘Oh, but I would,’ Mak responded. ‘You met me fourteen years ago, when I was young and naive and impressionable. You still regard me as guileless, and in your arrogance, you believe you can still manipulate me. I’m not that unworldly, gullible youth. I have both the Sauvage and Signet powerhouses behind me to ensure that if you attempt to walk over me ever again, I’ll destroy you.’
Mak leaned back in his chair, savoring the tension in the air as Tewa squirmed.
His hands clenched beneath the table, his confidence crumbling.
‘You’re my mark now,’ Mak continued, his voice a dangerous timbre. ‘If you make this more difficult than it needs to be and demand more from me, I won’t hesitate to bring it all down on your head. Savvy?’
For an instant, silence ruled.
Mak stared Tewa down until the older man nodded.
‘Šar, I will keep to your wishes,’ he conceded, his tone bitter with resentment.
Mak gave him a narrowed gaze. ‘Not sure I can believe it yet. Still, I will test you as I also test your niece. By giving you both freedom, I want to see how your liberation unfolds. Whether you end up betraying me some more or revert to form, as manipulative, lying souls. Now leave, because I can’tfokkin’ stand your face.’
Tewa scrambled to his feet, his chair scraping as he fled.
Mak remained seated, letting the satisfaction of the moment wash over him as he lingered over the expensive wine and lavish dishes, with long-earned gratification.
Chapter 19
SABA
‘Šarim, a moment please?’
Sunlight streamed through the lodge’s tall windows as Saba prepared a simple breakfast.
She glanced up to see Koda approach, his boots soundless on the shining floorboards.
He set a small velvet box on the counter beside her, its deep crimson catching the light.
‘From Mak,’ he intoned.
She wiped her hands on a linen cloth and peeked at it with wariness. ‘What is it?’ she muttered.
‘Open it,’ Koda instructed.
She did.
Inside, nestled in silk, was a wrist comm, crafted like an antique timepiece, its casing engraved, its face a polished obsidian sheen edged in gold.
