Page 20 of Savage Little War

Dmitri grins at me, which throws me off. “I’ve decided to throw a small party for everyone. Your father. His closest men. Some of my guys. Andrei. Luca. Our…friends.”

“Why?” I question him. He doesn’t seem like the party type, and I know that he hates galas now.

Dmitri shrugs. “Ferro hasn’t been seen in the city for days. If we’re going to bleed together, we might as well look each other in the eye first. This could be our last chance to socialize before things…”

“Get really bad,” I say quietly. It’s our last hurrah before we really might start losing people.

Dmitri nods, his expression dimming. “When I started going against the Council, I didn’t expect to have anyone by my side. I’m grateful for those who are risking their lives to stand with me.”

“You’re a good leader,” I tell him as I walk up to him, my hands gliding up his chest as his hired party decorators get to work setting everything up. “You just forget that leadership doesn’t mean carrying everything alone.”

Uncertainty flashes in his eyes. “I don’t always make the best calls.”

“Sometimes, hard calls are still the best ones to make,” I reply. “And you’re one of the few people who can make those calls. People look up to you. They respect you.”

Dmitri smiles and leans down to press his forehead against mine. “I just want you by my side. Stay with me,” he murmurs. “And I’ll keep you safe. I swear it.”

His words make my heart flutter.

“So, when is this little party of yours happening?” I ask him as I curl my arms around his neck.

“At seven o’clock,” Dmitri replies. “There’s a new dress hanging in your closet. You can’t miss it. Wear it tonight.”

I smile and nod, warmth blooming within me. Tonight is going to be a good night. It just might be one of the last good nights that we have in a while.

If Ferro fled the city, I’m sure we’ll spend the next few days or weeks tracking him down. Who knows what buildings will be destroyed or what people will get killed in that period of time?

Dmitri presses a kiss against my lips that leaves me dazed. “I need to take care of a few things before everyone arrives. I’ll see you around seven.”

“Okay,” I agree before watching him slip away, my pulse still pounding.

I don’t know what to expect from tonight, but I have a feeling it’ll be a night that I won’t forget.

By the time 7:30 rolls around, everyone has arrived.

We’ve all been working and fighting together for weeks now, but it’s still odd seeing the Irish, the Bratva, and one outcast Italian drinking and laughing together.

Ferro and his men are our common enemy. More of an enemy than any of us have ever been to each other. Sometimes, it only takes a greater threat to bring enemies together as allies. I just hope that this lasts after Ferro is dead and gone.

“Bella!” Luca calls out to me with a grin on his face. “Look at you.”

“Careful. Dmitri will still kill you even after all you’ve done,” I playfully warn him as he takes in my white dress and places a friendly kiss on my cheek.

Luca chuckles. “You’re his girl, and he’s my friend. I’m happy for both of you.”

“Maybe it’s time for you to find another girl to call bella,” I say, giving him a light nudge.

“One day,” Luca replies, looking hopeful. “But I must take care of Paolo first. He’d never let me be happy like that. Just like his nephew.”

I hate that he has been around such terrible people. He doesn’t deserve that.

“How’s your leg? I heard you took a bullet.”

“Bene, grazie. Just a scratch,” he replies, no doubt playing the wound down.

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay,” I tell him.

“Is this guy bothering you, love?”