"Mm. Impossible on my own, but Stephanie has told me you're formidable and have no great love for her father. I figure you would know the best people to strip him of every bit of power he hungers for or holds." He didn't want the man dead. There was no lesson to be learned about messing with Marcelo if he were dead. Even if he did go through spells of resurrection.

He drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair. "I also think you can get me information on Reginald Crane. So I can do much the same and pour molten lead down his throat."

That might have been more fatal than his usual mien, but Marcelo was coldly angry right now. He took in a breath.

"They're taking Stephanie from me. And right now, she'll go along with it without batting a lash. She does not nor will not know of this until I can be sure she's no longer tainted by Crane's manipulations."