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I don’t like knowing that she’s in danger. But she has to prove herself. The team sitting at the table watches me as Brielle settles beside me. Our lives will become intertwined. But it’s not only our personal relationship, it’s one that includes the organisation. We’re going to be working together. I may be the first Boss to include a woman in the clan, but with the fire I see in Brielle’s personality, I know she’ll never sit back and let me run things alone.
A queen who will step up to the plate. One who will burn the world down to save those she loves. Which begs the question which is running through my mind on an endless loop—Will she ever love me?
The countdown to the wedding is now on. A couple of days to go and I’ll be her husband. I’m going to have to accept the fact that she’s my wife, and she will be a part of the family.
In the past, my ancestors never allowed their wives into the organisation. There were never moments of acceptance to have women in this life. Not even at the school. It was only recently that it had come to pass.
I don’t have any issues with having women working in the organisations, but they have to prove loyalty. The Agency can deal with them. I, personally, do not hurt women. But if they fuck over the family, they will pay.
“Brielle has taken the first few steps in becoming a part of the organisation,” I say as I look at Jordan, then Emilio, Kai, and Valen. The rest of the soldiers sit quietly as they watch us.
Kai leans forward to look around the table before he speaks. “The folders have given us a lot of insight into what my brother found. He didn’t want me to get involved in this war that’s started, but we need to take steps to protect ourselves.”
I believe Mario would look out for Kai. It’s something that makes me respect him because I would do the same for Jordan. I would do the same for any of the men in my life.
“It’s Saviatti who started this, we just kill him and it’s over,” one of the soldiers, Giorgio, says then and I understand his reluctance and his need to avenge what’s going on.
“We need to play this intelligently. If we rush in with guns blazing, we could lose men. I don’t believe in losing anyone in this organisation.” My voice is calm, collected, and just a tad cold, but I don’t care. My men know me, and they understand that if they don’t agree, they’re welcome to leave.
“What are the orders?” Marcello asks with a sadistic grin. He’s one of the men who will shoot and kill and make me proud. The bastard was an orphan who came to the island wanting to learn and become a soldier. I’ve known him for years. Even though we didn’t build a deeper friendship, I trust him.
“I want Saviatti’s team taken out,” I say as I lean back in my chair. There is a lot to do, but I want Brielle’s father for myself. “If you find him, bring him in alive. There are questions he needs to answer, and I’ll be the one who gets the answers.”
“What if someone has answers about his whereabouts?” Sergio speaks up as he looks between me, Kai, and Valen. He is still fairly new to the organisation, but he’s proven to be quite a good soldier.
“Bring them in alive. You’ll have access to the private planes to get you on and off the island. I want this done as soon as possible.” I push to my feet because I can’t focus on anything but knowing we are going to end this fucking war soon. But also, I have a wedding to prepare for, and I need to sit with my future wife and plan what will happen on the day.
As the men file out, Val and Kai sit back and watch Brielle.
“Are you going to kill my father?” Brielle’s voice is low, a whisper as she speaks. There is fear drenching her words. As it should be.
I haven’t planned what I’m going to do with him yet though, but I will make an example of the man who tried to fuck me over. The thing is, it’s not the first time he’s been a traitor, so what’s going to stop him from doing it again?
“I don’t know. I don’t have any answers for you yet,” I answer Brielle honestly. I’ve always offered her transparency. Even when I scared her, I have never lied to her. Even though she’s hidden shit from me, I never want to hide anything from anyone in my life. We may not yet be married, but I believe that a relationship is built on trust. And I want to be as open and honest as I can be.
She sighs softly and shakes her head. She must know how this is going to go because she’s no stranger to this life, even though she led us to believe she was. “I know he started a war—”
“He did, and I don’t think he’s actually sat back and thought this plan through.” I keep my tone even, before I look at her and continue, “And he’s fucked up. I will be honest, if I were to kill him right now, I wouldn’t have an ounce of guilt.”
She looks at me then, and I realise, even though he’s fucked her over, she still loves him. To be fair, I get it. My father wasn’t the best man, he did nothing that could be consideredgood,but I still loved him. Looking up to a man who was bad to the outside world, I didn’t think anything of it. But now, watching Brielle love her father even after all he’s done, I understand it.
She’s changing me. I don’t like it. But I can’t stop it. I’ve tried fighting it since the first day I met her. I wanted her to leave, to run far from Black Hollow and me. It didn’t help that Valen had grown attached, and then slowly, Kai seemed to accept her while I was still at odds.
“I want to be there,” Brielle announces suddenly as she looks at me. “When you bring him in. My father needs to look in my eyes and tell me why the fuck he’s done this to me. He needs to explain himself, and then…”
She meets my gaze, and I can see the strength simmering in her stare. The girl who first walked into that office all those months ago is no longer in front of me. Instead, she’s a woman. She’s now ready to be a queen, and she’s ready to stand beside me.
It’s been a roller coaster, but I have a feeling that Brielle was a good choice. My father knew what he was doing, even though he had no clue she’d change the way she has. My chest tightens when I think of Dad. I don’t allow memories to haunt me, but there are moments I realise that even though he’s gone, deep down, he’s still with me in so many ways.
“You can be there as long as you need to be,” I tell her. “You’ll get the answers.” It’s a promise. One that I never thought I would offer her, but right now, I want to see her smile.
Fuck this.
I have feelings.
I glance at Kai, then Valen, and they’re both fucking smirking at me. They can read me. We’re all trained to see tells from anyone we’re questioning, but there are ways to see someone who is out of their comfort zone, and right now, I am.
“I don’t see a problem with having Brielle question her father. But we will need to be present. I’m not leaving you alone with him,” Kai says as he looks at our girl.
