Chapter 64 - 68
Akio POV
The Giannis will sulk and lick their wounds, but Botan’s recklessness can’t continue. He can’t even see the tactical mishap and the contagion effect that these consequences will incur. These isolated incidents alone can do not much harm, but put them together they compound and his choices will come back to haunt us all—all for a girl that can never be his. Forget that she is a devoted public servant, daughter of the soon-to-be Governor. And he is the most fearsome hellhound of the underworld. They belong to worlds that can never merge, his sheer existence is a threat to her and she has convinced herself that she can overlook his transgressions. But she won’t, every thing he does and is will corrode that self-righteous morality. That willingness to wear away at her own mortal fortitude will ferment resentment. But that isn’t the worst part... if Avara discovers what Botan did, she will loathe him and I don’t know if that despise will free him or it will make him descend into further madness.
It’s the only reason why I haven’t told the girl myself—other than the fact Botan would slit my throat. No exaggeration. Look what he did to Alessio because he reminded him of the man or men Avara is bound to. Imagine what he would do to the one who would poison her against him?
"You can’t even see it," I mutter aloud.
I turn away, making my way out.
"And where are you going?"
"Cleaning after you, it seems I’ve been having to do that alot lately."
***
I go alone to grovel. Botan’s cunning comes from his foresight, others plan several moves ahead but Botan coordinates the entire game, rigged to provide an outcome he foresees and fashions. Now that vision is blotted out by his obsession. His eye is the spyglass of the future that now points to one thing alone. Yes, there won’t be immediate implications but the aftermath will be an avalanche in a distant by-and-by.
I’ve come to Alessio’s father, the fangs of the snake, to lay the ground for peace. Fear can coerce him to build upon it or pride will scorch every last residue.