“You know as well as I do that he’ll have loyalists or a contingency plan. People on the outside ready to act if something happens to him." He looks at Flint and Blaise in turn. "What if it's Jenna? Or Lucy?” He turns back to me. “Or your precious bride?"
He’s not wrong. I have no doubt Hampton will kill Keira if it means his own freedom or revenge. The thought of Keira in danger sends an unexpected surge of protectiveness through me. I push it away.
"As long as he's alive, none of us are safe," Ash says, quieter now. "None of us will ever be safe."
The room falls silent. I know he's right. Hampton alive is a liability we can't afford long-term. But I need him for now. I need the families to see his public fall from grace. But I can’t dismiss my brothers’ input.
I rub my temples, considering Ash's words. The weight of leadership has never felt heavier than in this moment, with my brother's rage burning across the desk between us.
"You're right," I finally say, breaking the tense silence. "Hampton is a liability. But killing him now would create chaos we can't afford."
Before Ash can say anything, Blaise steps forward. “Phoenix is right. The Kean men are watching us, testing us. If we appear weak or divided, they'll turn on us before the week's out."
“Eliminating him will show strength and take away any hope they have for his return.” Ash makes a good argument, but my mind is made up. At least for now, Hampton stays alive.
"We need to solidify our control. Make it clear to everyone in Boston that the Ifrinns are back and stronger than ever. Thewedding will be more than just a marriage ceremony. We invite every family in Boston. Not just to witness our union, but to pledge their loyalty to the Ifrinn name." My voice grows stronger as the plan takes shape. "We'll make it a ceremony of fealty. One by one, they'll kneel before us and swear allegiance."
"With Hampton watching from the sidelines," Flint adds, a cold smile spreading across his face. "Seeing everything he built transferred to us."
"Exactly." I nod. "And once we have their pledges, once our position is secure?—"
"Then I get Hampton," Ash finishes.
"Then you get Hampton," I confirm.
Blaise crosses his arms, considering. "It could work. The old families respect tradition. A formal pledge ceremony would carry weight."
"And anyone who refuses to attend…" Flint trails off.
"Marks themselves as our enemy," I complete his thought. "Making our next targets clear."
My brothers exchange glances, and I can see the plan taking root. The tension in the room shifts from conflict to purpose.
"One week," I say. "One week to bring Boston to its knees."
They nod in unison, and I feel our collective resolve solidifying, as strong as it’s ever been in the last ten years since we first vowed to avenge our parents.
“I still don’t get why we need Hampton for this. He didn’t hesitate to try to wipe us out."
"Because we're not them," I snap, annoyed that he won’t let this go. I rise to go pour myself a whisky. "We're smarter than them. More strategic."
Flint leans forward. "Public humiliation would hurt Hampton more than death. Make him watch as we dismantle everything he built."
"Exactly," I agree, swirling my drink. "We strip him of his dignity first, then his empire, then his life."
"Mercy could be seen as weakness," Ash argues.
"Or strength," Blaise counters. "Controlled power is more intimidating than blind rage."
I down my whiskey in one burning swallow. "We make an example of Hampton at the ceremony. Force him to publicly transfer power to us before the other families."
"Hampton dies," I assure Ash, meeting his furious gaze. "But we do it our way, not his. We show Boston the difference between Kean brutality and Ifrinn justice."
Flint taps his fingers against the armrest. "And Keira? Where does she fit in this example we're setting?"
My jaw tightens at her name. "She's different."
"Different how?" Blaise presses. “Because from what I saw this morning, she’s a target of your humiliation plan.”
