“There will always be growing pains,” I said. “I’ve ensured both sides that neither is losing territory, but everyone is still uneasy about this new venture.”
“They don’t trust your word?” Flynn asked.
“No.”
“You might have to show them,” he replied.
I sighed. “Da. Violence. It seems to be the only way to get them to listen.”
“It has to come from you. Not Dimitri.” He paused. “You’ll get bored here.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You were bored in Martha’s Vineyard.”
“That was different.”
“Was it?”
“Quinn needed time there. Away from…everything. Moving to Scotland is not the same.”
“You’re making your job harder by moving even farther away,” he pointed out. “It would be easier if you moved back to New York. Hell, even Boston.”
“Then it’ll be harder.” I shrugged. “I’m still the one the old men in Russia want to do business with. When they heard I was back in the leadership position, they made it clear that they’d prefer to speak to me when it came to negotiations.”
“So you’re not walking away.”
“No.”
“You walked away once.”
“And came back,” I stated.
“For Quinn, aye?”
“For Quinn,” I agreed. “But once a king always a king,da? Too much blood has been spilled. I’ve paid a hefty price for my position. So I’ll lead from Scotland. I have men I trust. I won’t be seen as weak.”
We drank for a few moments, letting silence fill the room.
“Would you do anything differently?” I asked him. “Knowing what you know now?”
He paused and stared into his glass, like a scribe studying ancient scrolls. “I would still make all the same choices.”
“No regrets, then.”
“None.” He looked at me. “Even if my choices come home to roost.”
Chapter24
BARRETT
“I thinkyou’re the prettiest girl in the world,” Hawk said as he snuggled down into his bed.
I grinned. “Nice try, kiddo. It’s bedtime, and it’s been a long day.”
“Not for me.”
“You’re younger and have more energy,” I stated.
