“Your sons would never let us do such a thing without retribution, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid. Plus, your organization is much more formidable. With him gone, his limited followers will likely scatter back into the gutters the second he’s gone.”
I’m curious how much Renzo believes that versus how much is lip service. We need Biba to trust us if we’re going to pull this off.
I decide to take a chance and interject. “Besides, this marriage is just as much an alliance as the marriage to Reaper would have been. We have an opportunity to cooperate in a way the Italians and Russians never have in the past. This could usher in a new era of prosperity for us both.”
One of Biba’s guards leans in and whispers something to him. Biba lifts his chin. “I will not make any agreements without fully considering. And even if I did decide to do this thing with you, it would be on my terms.”
“Of course,” Renzo says with a nod.
“You will hear from me when I have decided.” As soon as Biba’s words are out, the connection severs.
Renzo closes the laptop, and we melt back in our chairs.
“That went better than I expected,” my brother muses. “I try to mentally plan for the worst when dealing with assholes like him.”
“Hey, that’s my father-in-law you’re talking about.” I stare at him out of the corner of my eye, and he stares back until my smile breaks free. He starts to chuckle, and before I know it, we’re both nearly in tears.
“Jesus, you’re fucked, you know that?” he says once we start to collect ourselves.
“Yeah, it’s like trying to make a pet out of a rabid dog.”
Renzo sobers, lifting his gaze to mine. “Is she worth it?” he asks quietly. “Tell me she’s worth it, Tommy.”
“I’d lay down my life for her in a heartbeat.”
Renzo nods. “The let’s do this right. We have no margin for error.”
We spend the next two hours hammering out a plan, and by the time I leave, I feel an unexpected surge of hopefulness because, for the first time in my life, Renzo has handed me the reins. He has put faith in my judgment and given me the gift of his trust. I will not let him down—ifBiba gives us this opportunity. That part of our fate has yet to be decided.
CHAPTER 38
DANIKA
“But,how?”It’s the third time Sachi has asked me the same question, making me laugh because I’ve told her how I ended up married. I’ve told her twice, in fact. She’s still dumbfounded. “It’s only been a week.”
“Ten days, technically.”
She glares at me, then reaches for my hand and looks at the rings. Again. “I can’t wrap my head around it.”
“I know, and if roles were reversed, I’d say the same thing.”
We’re sitting together on the bed of my studio while Sante watches TV in the living room. I wanted privacy for what was bound to be an awkward conversation. Sachi’s handled it well, but I can tell she’s worried about me.
“Sach, I know it seems crazy, but I really do care about him. And I swear I’d tell you if I was being coerced or in danger.”
“What if you can’t? What if he’s love bombing you and six weeks from now he becomes a monster but you’re scared to leave by then?” She’s dead serious, and I love her for it.
“Then we should probably have a code phrase—something I could say that only you would know was a cry for help.”
Her eyes light up. “Like what? It’d have to be something we’d never say ordinarily.”
It only takes me a second before I have the perfect idea. “I’ll tell you that I’ve decided to take up Crossfit.” There is no way in a million years I’d ever,evervoluntarily say those words and mean them. As I’ve noted before, I’m an artist, not an athlete.
Sachi nods approvingly. “Perfect. I’ll know immediately that you need my help, that, or you’ve been abducted by aliens.”
I purse my lips. “And if that’s the case, I’m not sure there’s much you can do.”
She narrows her eyes. “Don’t underestimate the powers of a BFF.”
