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Instead of being relieved that our plans were on track, all I could think about was my parents meeting Henri. I wanted to introduce him as my man, my future husband. I wanted to let my parents know I cared for him and ask them how to make things work between us, but it wasn’t the right time. This was my cousin’s celebration. While business was always conducted during family celebrations, it needed to be done away from the party space and only when it was urgent. Me wondering what to do now that I’d finally fallen in love wasn’t actually urgent, though it felt like it to me. It felt like the most important thing that had ever happened, but making sure the Landrys went down and the gunrunners understood how things worked in the city would protect my family’s physical well-being as well as our reputation. That was where my focus needed to be.
“Wow!” Henri said when the house came into view. “This is even more spectacular than I’d imagined.”
I tried to see the house through the eyes of someone who hadn’t grown up there. Over the years, I’d started to take it for granted. Sometimes I even resented the opulent display, the need for entertaining those we wanted to impress, but I also loved it because it was where I’d grown up. “It’s a bit much.”
“No, it’s lovely and… a little overwhelming.”
I parked the car and came around as Henri was opening his door. I took his hand and closed the door for him. He was even paler than usual, making his freckles stand out, his beautiful dark-red hair a stark contrast to his soft skin. I knew he was terrified. He was meeting the infamous head of a known criminal family. A man he was fully aware sanctioned murders, meted out his own form of justice, and had no remorse about it. Except my father was also warm and caring, such a contradiction, and I knew he would like Henri if they had a chance to get to know each other. “You’re going to be fine. Just be yourself.”
“But this is your family.”
“I promise you none of my family members are any scarier than Thomas Carrington.”
“He didn’t seem scary except when you were talking business.”
“He is very good at playing the affable, rich philanthropist, but he is deadly underneath.”
“And your family isn’t?”
I smiled. “My father is actually very similar in personality, except with him, I know the affability is real. With Thomas, I’m starting to suspect it is, but I’m not ready to pass judgment.”
“Will Lance be here?”
“Yes, none of us would be allowed to miss this. You’ll also get to meet my youngest brother, Corbin, and several of my cousins. Not all of them are active in the family business, but plenty of them are.”
“Is Constance?”
I shook my head. “No. Equal opportunities for women haven’t infiltrated the mafia world. It’s rare for women to be involved in any way. That doesn’t mean our women aren’t dangerous, though. Never underestimate them.”
“So the rest of your family is just as archaic as you are?”
I smiled at him. “We have rules, and we expect people to obey.”
“You demand obedience.”
“I do, and you like it. Come on.” I tugged on his arm, and reluctantly, he began walking with me.
When I opened the front door, sounds of chatter, laughter, and clinking glasses poured out into the night. Henri looked thoroughly intimidated, and he was right to sense the danger. There were men and women there who would try to eat him alive. “If anyone gives you shit, tell me or my brother, father, or stepmother. Any of them will put the offender in their place.”
“Is your stepmother involved in the business?”
“She’s not involved in the day-to-day business, but she is the very cherished wife of the head of the family. Her word is law.”
We gave our coats to Antoine, my parents’ butler, who was stationed in the entryway, then I led Henri down the hall to the ballroom where everyone was gathered. When we reached the door, his mouth dropped open.
“Your parents have a ballroom?”
“Yes. Now close your mouth and let me get us through this crowd.”
I greeted several people as we crossed the room, but I was focused on my parents who stood on the far side close to the buffet.
I deliberately ignored a few hangers-on, men who only approached me when they wanted a favor or to brag about recent accomplishments. Finally, I reached my parents. They were in conversation with a woman I vaguely recognized. A few seconds later, she headed toward the bar, and they gave Henri and me their full attention.
“Remington,” my stepmother said. “It’s so good to see you. You’re looking fantastic tonight.” She turned to Henri. “Now who is this? You’ve been very mysterious about who you were bringing to the party.”
