The Ruthless Heir

Erica’s [POV]

His back stiffens ever so slightly at my question, and I want to know why. But just like Judge, he chooses to remain vague.

“I thought it was time,” he says. “I want to settle down. Find a beautiful wife. Get married.”

He’s eyeing me as if I’m a possibility for that role, and I can’t help but think he’s laying it on thick. Regardless, I appreciate the distraction, and I’ll be glad to use his attention to my benefit when I flaunt them in front of Judge.

“Well, you shouldn’t have a problem with that.” I dismount Temperance and stretch out my back. “I’m sure every eligible Society daughter will be lining up to offer their hands to you once they hear the news.”

“Perhaps.” He dismounts and helps me remove the saddle from Temperance. “But I don’t want just any eligible Society woman. I want the best.”

His fingers brush against mine as he says it, and I know it’s not an accident. When I turn to look up at him, he’s closer than I’d expected, the heat of his chest brushing against my arm. He is, admittedly, very handsome. And I suspect he’s also very much used to getting his way.

For a moment, when I look into his eyes, I wish I could fall for it. But there’s one glaring problem. He doesn’t smell like warm spices and leather. He doesn’t make my heart beat harder when he looks at me. He doesn’t make me so goddamned angry I could scream. In a nutshell, he isn’t Judge.

“Come to dinner tonight.” He reaches down and brushes a strand of hair off my cheek.

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“Dinner,” he repeats. “Didn’t Judge tell you? We’re all having dinner together this evening.”

“Oh.” Of course, Judge didn’t tell me. Why would he? “I don’t know that he’d even allow it.”

Theron smiles, the mischief returning to his eyes. “You don’t look like the type of woman who allows a man to permit her anything.”

I never thought I was either. Until Judge told me what to do. But Theron is right. I need to remember who I am.

“Thank you for the invitation.” I smile at him graciously. “I’d love to join you.”

“Oh, Mercedes.” Judge’s mother, Margot, greets me in the hall as soon as we enter the house, fussing over me as if we are old friends.

I find it odd, considering that we’ve only ever seen each other in passing at Society events, and she’s never taken it upon herself to speak to me. But I suspect her demeanor probably has more to do with the familiar face standing behind her. I recognize the man immediately as one of the Councillors from The Tribunal, The Society’s court system. Within IVI, the members are governed by our own sets of laws and rules, and when there are consequences to be meted out, they are done so by The Tribunal. But Society doesn’t stop there. We also influence the outside world. Members like Judge, who work within the boundaries of our communities, use their connections to benefit IVI when it’s needed. It’s safe to say that IVI has infiltrated every sector of government, politics, law enforcement, and any other industry or organization they find beneficial. These are the people I rub elbows with often as a Society daughter. Typically, I wouldn’t even blink twice at being in the presence of such a high-ranking official. But that was before.

Before the murder. Before the very thought of The Tribunal sent fear skittering down my spine. I’ve witnessed Hildebrand up on his dais, large and indomitable as he presided over Ivy’s initial appearance after my brother’s poisoning. Truth be told, I couldn’t tell if he would sentence her to death then and there. He is a terrifying man, and I suppose it’s the way most people feel about Judge. The difference is that Judge might punish me and make life temporarily unpleasant, but Hildebrand has the power to destroy me completely should he ever find out what I’ve done.

I swallow, hoping my nerves don’t betray me. It isn’t logical, but a part of me still worries he could already know something. Maybe Santiago hadn’t cleaned up the mess I left behind entirely. I want a moment to gather my senses, so I force myself to smile and charm him the way I always do when I see a high-ranking man.

“Hello, Councillor Hildebrand. It’s so nice to see you. I must offer my apologies for the informal dress. We just returned from a ride. If you’ll excuse me, I can go up and change-”

“Nonsense.” He waves off the suggestion. “You aren’t in court, Ms. De La Rosa. I’m here for a meal and the pleasure of company this evening. Margot invited me last minute as well, and as you can see, I’m no better dressed than you.”

He’s being far too gracious, considering he’s wearing a bespoke black suit that certainly has a designer label. But I don’t dare argue with him, accepting that I’ll have no choice but to attend dinner in my current clothes.

“Why don’t we all have a drink while we wait for Judge,” Margot suggests as she gestures to the sitting room.

There are murmurs of agreement before we follow her into the room, and I can’t help but wonder what this is about or why she invited Hildebrand in the first place. I know he’s akin to a colleague to Judge, and I’ve seen them speak at Society events before, but even so, it seems odd to invite him for dinner.

Margot goes out of her way to ensure Hildebrand’s comfort, taking his drink order and then scurrying off to the kitchen to relay it to Miriam. We all take our seats as she does-Hildebrand in a large wing-backed chair and Theron and me on the loveseat opposite. Hildebrand observes us keenly, his eyes bouncing back and forth between us before they settle on me and the obvious bruise on my face.

“Is Judge treating you well while you’re in his care?” he asks.

I force a smile. “Of course. Although, I can’t say the same for his horses. I took a spill yesterday, as you can see. Luckily, Theron came to my rescue. He was the perfect gentleman.”

“Well, you let me know if that changes.” Hildebrand’s tone is teasing, but his eyes aren’t. “I hope your stay here won’t be too long. It’s high time one of our Sovereign Sons takes you off the market and makes a proper wife out of you.”

“I already told her I was up for the task,” Theron answers boldly.

I stare at him in disbelief, but Hildebrand laughs, cutting through some of the tension. That is until a dark shadow enters the room in the form of Judge. His eyes move to his brother first, and then to me, and it’s clear he heard that remark. I smile up at him sweetly, aware he can’t say a goddamn thing in front of Hildebrand.

“Councillor.” Judge moves into the room, his body stiff, the tension radiating from him palpable. “I had no idea we’d have the pleasure of your company this evening.”

“Your mother’s idea,” Hildebrand informs him. “I couldn’t turn down the offer when I heard beef Wellington was on the menu. And I thought perhaps we could have a word after dinner anyway. I have a business matter I’d like to get your thoughts on.”

“Of course.” Judge offers him a polite smile, but I can see he’s not pleased. And now I think I understand Margot’s reason for inviting Hildebrand. He’s the buffer for tonight.

Judge can’t be rude to any of us while in his company. It works to my benefit, but I don’t doubt it’s just as much for Theron’s too. He does seem rather pleased with himself as he leans into me, whispering in my ear.

“Don’t worry, we’ll find a way to liven up this evening somehow. I suspect copious amounts of alcohol should help.”

There’s no earthly way Judge could have any idea what he’s saying to me, but his eyes narrow in on us as if he can. And then they move over my riding gear before noticing that Theron is wearing his too. It’s impossible to miss his nostrils flaring before Margot enters the room with a flourish, Miriam carrying a tray behind her.

“One martini with a twist.” Margot hands the drink to Hildebrand herself. “And Judge, I took the liberty of having Miriam pour you a scotch. I’m sure you’ve had a long day.”

Judge glares at her as he takes the drink from her hand, and then Miriam approaches the loveseat, her lips twisted in indignation that she’s being forced to serve me.

“Your Riesling, Ms. De La Rosa.”

I take the wineglass from her with amusement. “Thank you, Miriam. That was so kind of you.”

She ignores me and hands Theron another glass of scotch.

Once we all have our drinks in hand, Margot takes on the role of hostess, engaging Hildebrand and Judge in conversation, forcing him to participate. They discuss Society business, reminisce on old cases, and debate the merits of the current education practices for the younger generations.

Meanwhile, Theron takes every opportunity to move closer to me, never missing the way Judge’s eyes move to us when I laugh at one of his brother’s jokes or offer him a coy response. At one point, Hildebrand makes a casual observation that Judge will have to keep me under close watch, lest Theron steals me away to the altar. If that wasn’t enough to send Judge’s temperature to the boiling point, Theron’s reply that he’s already picturing a spring wedding does the trick.

He’s goading him, and it’s so obvious, but Judge is letting it get to him. I can see it by the way he keeps tugging at the tie around his neck as if it’s choking him. As if he’d like to remove it and strangle the very life from Theron himself. It pleases me far too much to see we’re getting under his skin, so I take it up a notch when we head for the dinner table, continuing with the joke that seems to amuse Hildebrand so much.

“I told him he’d have to get in line. I have my choice of Sovereign Sons. So many fine men vying for my attention. How can a lady ever choose?”

Hildebrand snorts. “I would have to agree. You do seem to be a favorite among the bachelors. I can recall one man being so flustered by your presence he walked right into a wall and knocked himself out because he couldn’t seem to drag his eyes away from you.”

“Ah, yes.” I laugh at the memory. “Poor Mikael. The funny thing is he never said a word to me. Too nervous, I suppose.”

“You have that effect on men,” Hildebrand remarks. “But don’t let it sway you. Find yourself a partner who doesn’t shake like a leaf in your presence. I believe one can only ever be satisfied with a match their equal. And you, Ms. De La Rosa, need a strong man beside you.”

“On that, we can all agree.” My eyes intentionally move to Theron as I offer him a flirtatious smile.

I don’t have to look at Judge to feel his gaze on me. It’s burning right through me.

“Pardon the interruption.” Miriam and Lois enter the dining room together, carrying trays of food. “Dinner is served.”