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Dominic’s eyes flashed to mine, regret ripe for everyone to see, before they moved back to my second. “I’ll go as her date. Backup in disguise.”
“No,” Grey growled.
“Why not? To most people, I’ll just look like Mari’s newest beau, and it’ll give her an extra layer of protection. We can also post some more personal guards as guests.”
Grey’s grin was feral. “You’ve been gone too long, Dominic. We’ve been at peace for years.”
“And?”
“Most of our best guards are known players,” I interrupted. “The other families won’t like seeing them milling around the crowd in large numbers. It’ll look like an ambush.”
“I think we can compromise.” Joaquin leaned back in his chair, a pale imitation of the carefree energy Dominic exuded. “Dominic’s right. He’s nearly unrecognizable after so many years away. It would be best if he went as Mari’s date, but Greyson should have his own too. Maybe the O’Bannon girl’s available, despite the late notice.”
“Aislynn’s coming with her father,” I pointed out. Sean O’Bannon was hell-bent on selling his daughter off to whichever alliance suited him best, and he took every opportunity to show the world her wares.
Joaquin waved me away. “Even better. Sean can bring one of his girls to the party, and Greyson gets a beautiful woman on his arm.”
I narrowed my eyes at the backhanded comment—ignoring Dominic’s and Greyson’s low growls—because it was the least pressing matter. Anyone with half a brain could see that my uncle was trying to force Dominic and me together. I just wasn’t sure if it was to spite Greyson or if there was more to it.
I don’t have time for meddling family members.
“All in favor of this new plan?” Joaquin grinned as all the capos and Dominic raised their hands. Hell, even Cameron agreed, though at least he had the grace to look sheepish about it. My uncle clapped. “It’s decided, then. Mari and Dominic will go to opening night together. I’ll call Sean about the girl, too. We’re due for a round to catch-up anyway.”
The sound of cracking plastic told me exactly how far gone Greyson was. From the shit-eating grin on his face, Joaquin knew it too. “Was there anything else, boss?”
“No.” I turned to Dominic. “I’ll call Aislynn about getting you into a fitting last minute. She won’t have time to make your suit custom, but it’ll still be incredible.”
He smirked. “As long as we match, I’m not picky.”
Right.
“Everyone keep your eyes and ears open. If you find out anything about the Aces, bring it to us immediately. Other than that, we focus on tomorrow. Opening night needs to go off without a hitch.”
My lieutenants murmured responses and filed out until all that remained were my cousin, my enforcers, and my two seconds. The moment the door closed behind the other men, Greyson was at Dominic’s throat.
“You planned that.”
My new underboss shrugged. “I didn’t, but it’s a good idea.”
“It’s moronic to create a new plan for security the day before a massive event.”
“No, it’s genius.”
Grey scoffed, but Dominic pushed through.
“Our enemies know they have to go through you to get to Mari. They’ll plan for that, but they won’t be expecting me.”
It made sense, but I wasn’t stupid enough to say so.
“Come on, Grey. You know changing it last minute and switching out her guard is the smart thing to do.” Dominic wisely chose not to point out that it was his idea. It gave me hope that they could work together down the line. That I could finally have the three-part leadership team I’d always wanted. Checks and balances to keep us all level and make sure I wasn’t drowning in the pressure. Almost like a family unit.
I shoved that thought away. Greyson was my family by choice and Dominic by chance, but they’d never allow us to become a family of our own. That was a fool’s dream, and I was no fool.
Grey was still silent, so Dominic tried again. “I know you don’t trust me, but trust that I care about Mari. I want her to be safe, and I’ll do what it takes to make sure that happens. You have my word that I won’t let anything happen to her.”
The rest of us held our breath for Grey’s response. I didn’t see the men hugging it out, but was peace too much to ask for? Even just for a day?
Apparently so.
