Aiden
Rose dozes for the rest of the day and falls asleep early with me by her side, and in the morning, I don’t want to leave.
She doesn’t stir when I carefully crawl out of the bed, sliding off the mattress as cautiously as possible. She’s fast asleep, her chest slowly rising and falling.
I know there are things that must be done, but all I want is to stay here. I keep thinking about what could have happened. I could have lost Rose, could have lost everything I’d dreamed of. It could have been the end.
I lean over her and kiss her goodbye. She smiles in her sleep, and I brush her hair away from her face.
She needs rest. I take one last look at my sleeping wife and then leave, hoping it won’t be long before I’m back.
I know that’s probably not going to happen.
Yesterday, I told my brothers the truth. I told them what Dmitri did, and they agreed—we have no choice, no alternative but to go before the Assembly and speak. We can’t let this go.
Lachlan has already requested a meeting for today, so the entire Assembly will gather in our usual meeting place.
As I drive, I think about the future waiting for me at home. Rose is pregnant, and she’s safe. She’s alive. I can protect her, and I will protect her. I’ll keep her safe, and I’ll keep our child safe too.
When I arrive, my brothers are just driving up. I park beside them and watch their faces as I walk over. They look how I feel—determined, furious. It’s in their eyes.
“This is going to be rough,” Lachlan says quietly as I meet him. “Are you ready?”
“More than ready.”
“I hope he fucking burns,” Finn says, the words hissing between his teeth.
Connor presses a hand to Finn’s shoulder. “Keep it in. It won’t help our case if we go shooting our mouths off.”
“It’s stupid. We should drag him out into the street and shoot him like the dog he is.”
I laugh shortly. I feel the same, but I know better than to agree.
“We could,” I reply. “But that’s not how this works. Let the Assembly see what he is. Then we can have what we want.”
Lachlan pulls the door open and we fall in behind him. We head up to the top floor, and I can hear low voices farther down the hall as we walk. I slip my hands into my pockets and try not to ball up my fists.
I want Dmitri to pay.
Lachlan enters our code on the keypad at the door. When we enter, the other heads of families are milling around, voices low as they discuss things. Their conversation trickles off as they watch us enter, their expressions guarded but curious.
“What is this about?” Nikolai asks, arms crossed.
Lachlan holds his hand out, inviting the others to sit. “Please. We have much to discuss.”
The men glance at each other but eventually sit, arms crossed and hands steepled as they wait for us to begin.
When we’re all settled, Lachlan glances around the room.
“What we have to speak of, we don’t speak of lightly. This is a serious matter that took time and consideration for us to bring before you all.”
“You called a meeting,” Nikolai replies, unimpressed. He shrugs nonchalantly. “So you must have something to say. Get to it already.”
Lachlan dips his chin in acknowledgment. “We’ve learned disturbing information about a member of this Assembly. We see it as our duty to present this.”
I can see Nikolai and Kade exchange a glance. They think this is about Antonio, but for once, they’re wrong.
“We have all been misled,” Lachlan continues slowly. He lets the words sink in. “One of us has plotted against the Assembly for years. Has done everything in their power to upset the balance.”
