“Good.” Kade nods. “I for one would like to toast the happy couple.”
That’s what he says, but I know the reality. There will probably be conversations behind closed doors tonight. The heads of each family will discuss how this happened and why Antonio agreed.
Some may be angry that my family managed to secure this wedding. It increases our power, and it’s not exactly a subtle move.
Arranged marriages aren’t unheard of in this underworld, with its separate rules and alliances. But it is somewhat outdated. Most times, the families have no need to marry between one another. It would all go to shit pretty quickly if it happened too often.
This kind of deal is rare, and it’s even more lucrative because of that. Most families branch out to other cities, other states. Our family joining with Antonio’s means that our power will be combined.
Or at least, that’s what others will assume. In reality, everything that was once Antonio’s will become mine. I’ll make sure of it.
The rest of the meeting flies by, and Antonio is noticeably quieter, stewing in his anger. I’m sure the only reason he keeps his mouth shut is because Rose isn’t under his protection.
One wrong move and he probably thinks we’ll kill her before we kill him.
The added bonus of the announcement is that Dmitri also looks pissed. I know he’s been trying to bait me throughout the meeting.
Good. Fuck him.
As we leave the building where the meeting was held, Lachlan turns to speak to me.
“That was risky.”
I shrug. “It was always going to be risky. Better we confirm it sooner on our terms than wait around for Antonio to spread his side of the story.”
“True. I think Nikolai is particularly unhappy.”
“He’s always been too quiet for me. I don’t trust him.”
“He’s quiet because he likes to keep his business straight,” Lachlan reminds me. “That’s not a bad thing.”
“Maybe. I just don’t trust a man who doesn’t smile.”
“You never met yourself in high school, did you?”
I laugh shortly. I don’t tell him that Rose changed me. It makes me think of her again, and that’s the last thing I need.
“Wait.”
A voice from behind us interrupts our conversation, and we turn to see Enzo Messina striding after us, his second close behind. Lachlan shoots me a glance then nods to the other man, his expression carefully neutral.
“Enzo. What can I do for you? If there’s business we need to take care of, we can–”
“You don’t seem to be interested in the business of honoring our alliance,” Enzo interrupts.
Whatever adrenaline and joy I was riding on dissipates. Enzo is serious, his gaze dark. He isn’t happy. Not at all.
Fuck.The last thing I need is for our closest ally to take offense to the marriage.
“Of course we are,” Lachlan says slowly. “We’ve never dishonored you.”
“No? You are distracted.” Enzo glances back toward the building we just left. “Distracted by these new maneuverings of yours.”
“That business is separate,” I say.
“It is not separate,” he insists, his voice hard. “Your scheming is leaving your first allies by the wayside.”
“That is not our intention. Our alliance with you is built on respect and understanding.”
