“Leon’s leadership in this war has been unmatched,” Rocco continues. “His strategies, his determination, his sacrifices, they’ve kept us all afloat. Kept us alive.”
Teo nods along with this before taking his lead. “That’s why Rocco and I have agreed: Leon will take over as the don of both the Guild and the Prince’s Hand. Together, under one family.”
My breath catches, and at my side, Leon looks…stunned.
His lips part as if to argue, but Teo raises a hand to stop him.
“Don’t even start,” Teo says. “You’ve earned this, Leon. Hell, you’vebecomethis. There’s no one better suited to lead us through what’s to come.”
Rocco steps forward, his voice softer now. “You have my blessing, Leon. And my trust.”
Leon looks at the two men, his jaw tight as he absorbs their words. Then, his gaze finds mine, lingering as if seeking my reaction.
I can only nod, my throat too tight to speak. Pride swells in my chest, mixed with a flicker of fear. But I know they are right. Leon was made for this.
“If this is what it takes to end this war and protect the people I care about,” he says, his eyes still locked on mine, “then I’ll do it.”
Teo steps forward, clapping him on the back, his grin returning. “Good. Because we really weren’t giving you the choice.”
The room erupts in a mix of laughter and murmured congratulations, but my focus remains on Leon.
He truly glows under his new title of power. I can practically hear his mind running a thousand miles a second with the sheer number of possibilities it offers him. It’s so terrifying and yet so perfectly right. I can’t believe they never thought of it before.
“You sure okay with this?” he asks softly, his voice just for me.
And how can I deny this man a thing? “I’m sure. This is perfect.”
He leans in, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I couldn’t do it without you.”
I melt helplessly under his touch as the other men find their seats next to their respective wives.
“So, are you still going to call yourselves the Guild?” Cassandra says as she leans into her husband’s side.
I watch as Teo and Leon exchange a glance. An unspoken conversation seems to pass between them before Teo shrugs. “I guess it would be the Prince’s Guild now, wouldn’t it?”
Isabella’s eyes light up. “Oh, I love that!”
I laugh slightly at the insanity of it all. A year ago, these two factions were at each other’s throats, fighting for dominance.
Now…now they exist together peacefully. The sounds of our children’s laughter fill the air around us as news of the permanent union settles around the room.
For a long time after losing my father, I thought I was going to be alone.
Butthis,right here, is my family now.
“Hey,” Leon whispers softly in my ear. “Do you think this is what happiness feels like?”
I turn to kiss him firmly on the lips. All mine. My husband.
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
