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My smile grows bigger. “I think that’s a great idea.”
Isabella’s expression is earnest and hopeful. “Really? You don’t think it’s silly?”
“Not at all. We could all use something to celebrate. Let’s give the Blackthornes the best goddamn wedding they’ve ever seen.”
“What about the truce? What about—”
I press a finger to her lips. “I don’t want you to worry about any of that. Pick whatever theme you want and whatever destination you want. I’d marry you in the middle of a fucking desert if I had to.”
Isabella winds her fingers through my hair and presses her forehead to mine. “I can’t wait to be married to you, and I can’t wait to be a parent with you.”
I wrap my arms around her waist and draw her closer. “I can’t wait either.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Carter
Tristan lingers in the doorway to the dining room, a strange look on his face. “You got a sec?”
I glance up from the paperwork and blink. “What now?”
“I just got news from our mole on the inside…”
I push my chair back and press two fingers to my temples. “I should’ve known they were going to dishonor the deal. What the fuck do they want now?”
And how many more ways can I come up with to put my enemies in their place?
Although the Natoris and Philipses don’t have the manpower to launch another war, they are making things extremely difficult. Between controlling half the docks and restricting access to the businesses I have in the city, they’re trying to get me to cave.
But backing me up against a corner won’t get them the results they want.
Not unless they want to be made an example of—again.
I’m bidding my time, but I have enough men now, thanks to Daniel, to overpower the Natoris and Philipses. However, after days spent arguing about the semantics of another war, I’ve come to two conclusions.
The first is that I’ve already lost a lot of men, and I’m not willing to lose anymore.
And the second is that I can’t afford to make an enemy out of whatever allies the Natoris and Philipses have out there, Donahue included. With Mayor Hughes playing nice, the last thing I want is to keep glancing over my shoulder for the inevitable target that’ll come.
It’s not the kind of life I want for myself anymore. Like it or not, I need this deal to go through far more than they do, or I’ll never have peace.
And neither will my family.
Tristan clears his throat. “They don’t want anything. They’re actually talking about honoring the new terms of the deal.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What?”
Tristan steps into the dining room and lets the door click shut. “It’s possible that our man on the inside has been compromised. I have no way of knowing without getting someone in with him; maybe Ernesto can go undercover—”
I hold my hand up. “We’ve lost too many men already. What makes you think our mole has been compromised?”
Tristan pauses and shrugs. “I don’t have any proof, but it does feel a little suspicious. After everything they’ve done and all the bullshit… they can’t just be giving up.”
“They’re recognizing who the superior family is,” I argue, a burst of anger erupting within me. “We don’t need any more problems, Tristan. What we need are results, so unless you have something to back up this feeling, I’d suggest you keep it to yourself.”
Tristan stiffens. “What if I look into it? It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?”
I shake my head. “No, you’re too valuable to end up getting caught up in their web. I need you by my side for what’s to come.”
