Page 79 of Devil’s Promise

“Aunt Gigi?” I ask, looking between Angel and this woman.

“Answers on the plane,” Mason calls. “It’s time to go.”

Angel leans down, lifting the hem of my skirt. “Who can book us an appointment at one of the chapels? I’d like to head straight there,” he orders as he carries the hem of my gown.

“The man is serious about getting married,” Candy mutters. “It’s good to be wanted.”

I look over at her, the question I’ve been asking myself all day pinging through my mind. I appreciate what Candy is saying, and how it must seem to her. But his motives for being in a hurry still leave me with lingering doubts.

What does Angel want me for?

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Angel

The women move to the back of the plane, clustering around Promise. She’s holding hands with her aunt, leaning over Candy as she comforts Chloe, Killian’s wife.

I know that Rush threw his support at me at me with Don today, and all of a sudden, I realize why. It’s because of Promise. The questions they wanted answers for were posed to her.

She looks perfectly at home in their circle of wives, her beauty and natural warmth shining so bright.

Rush clears his throat, and I turn to him. “Can’t take your eyes off her.”

I scrub at my jaw. “I suppose not.”

“Like the dress?”

“I suppose so.” I’m not used to telling other men my softer feelings and I don’t relish it now.

But he only chuckles. “I can’t decide if Gigi looks better in a pencil skirt, an evening gown, or yoga pants. She makes all of them look good.”

“Know what the best outfit is?” Mason interjects. “A maternity outfit.”

Knox rolls his shoulders like this entire thing is making him more uncomfortable than Sunday mass.

But the other men laugh. “Charlotte is pregnant,” Mason volunteers. “And there is nothing like the idea of a child, in addition to a wife, to make a man want to bend the whole world to his will.”

I nod without thinking and not because I’m placating. “Their protection is your purpose. And the conquering is not for your own satisfaction but to meet their needs.”

Knox looks at me like I’ve lost my fucking mind.

But Mason and Rush both rumble in knowing agreement. “See?” Mason pushes Rush’s arm. “I told you he understood. Told you he was ready.”

“Wait.” Knox leans forward. “Are you partnering with us because my brother is getting married?”

“Married men are stable, balanced, and motivated,” Rush answers. “Best work is always done when it’s not just your pride at stake, but the well-being of people you love. And a woman…”

It’s like he read my thoughts this morning. And I share the words out loud now. “She’s too weak to fight like that on her own. She needs you to be her soldier.” Something that my brother Gunner understood before I did.

I should have told him that I understood. That he was right. Shit.

It’s a mistake I’ll correct later.

“But in this case, your marital status wasn’t the only determining factor to making you a partner.”

“Partner?”

“In Vegas, I’ve been working with Gigi’s cousin, Matteo Andriani. He came to us with very few assets, but he understands our values on work and family. We’ve provided him with a great deal of assets that has moved him into a high earner. In exchange, he helps us when the jobs are…”