Beautiful Trouble: A Dark Mafia Romance

He nodded and said nothing.

I sucked in a breath and faced Roman.

He watched me carefully. Cassie stayed behind him, but her eyes were wet.

Even Roza looked touched, which was a minor miracle. She put her gun away like it was no big deal.

“Why did you play along?” I asked, shaking my head. “We could’ve avoided so much.”

“We’re similar in that regard. I protect the people I love.”

“It was foolish.”

“In the early days, I tried to tell the truth, but nobody believed me. I bet you don’t even remember, but I told you the real story. You called me a lying piece of shit and said that if you ever saw me again, you’d murder me.”

A conversation along those lines did sound familiar. “Well, shit.”

“I realized Anthony wasn’t telling the truth either pretty quickly. I figured if he didn’t want the world to know the truth, then I’d respect that.”

“You’ve always denied shooting him.”

“Because that’s the truth.”

I sucked in a breath and let it out. I placed my gun down on the table.

For the first time in a long time, I felt free.

I looked at Winter. She chewed on her lip and came closer, pressing herself against my side.

If she hadn’t pushed for this meeting, none of this would’ve happened. I kissed her cheek and smoothed her hair.

My hatred for Roman dissipated. Not entirely—I didn’t think I could release it all right away—but the place in my heart where I’d built a fortress of anger began to break apart.

In its place, there was only Winter keeping me together.

It was strange how much of myself I’d defined in opposition to Roman. Now that the core of my feelings toward him was shattered, I saw how shallow my existence had been before Winter came into my life. She gave me meaning beyond simple politics and war and killing.

She gave me purpose and made me a better man.

I’d come too close and nearly lost it.

But there she was, still by my side.

And I’d stay by hers for as long as I drew breath.

32

Winter

Darren looked down at me like the moon looked at the sun.

Pure and utter devotion.

I looked back at him and knew I felt the same. It rooted in me and grew slowly, and now it took full bloom.

Anthony’s revelation still hung in the air like a ghost. That lie had caused so much pain over the years and been the source of more bloodshed than I could even imagine, and yet if there was one thing I knew about life, it was that justice and retribution never put the past right.

He’d suffered enough. And he’d still suffer more.

Anthony was pale white and trembling and tears still rolled down his cheeks, but he seemed oddly youthful.

Like finally telling the truth felt good.

For his part, Roman glared at everyone.

I could understand why Roman would go along with all this. He clearly tried to speak up at first, but when it became obvious that nobody believed him, he probably found it easier just to stay silent. Let them all think he was a monster.

When the truth was, he’d only tried to tell his brother the truth.

It was a horrible accident.

One moment in time ten years ago still echoing into the future.

And would keep on shifting events.

Darren released me and turned to Roman. “This doesn’t fix everything between us.”

“I know it doesn’t.”

“I still have good reasons to oppose you.”

“I’m sure you do.”

“I won’t give you concessions just because it turns out you didn’t try to murder a ten-year-old.”

“I wouldn’t expect any.” Roman tilted his chin up. “But at least you can’t say I’m a liar.”

Darren met his gaze and nodded once. “You’re right. You’re not a liar.” He took a deep breath then let it out. “I’ll offer you a temporary truce until we can work out a long-term arrangement. But I will say that you won’t be in control of multiple crime families moving forward. That ends today.”

Roman didn’t respond right away. His eyes narrowed and he shifted toward Darren slightly, but he finally shrugged. “I found it more trouble than it’s worth anyway.”

Darren snorted. “We’ll talk about territory. I’ve taken a lot from you, but if you’re willing to meet me halfway, I’m willing to return some.”

“That’s big of you.”

“I mean it when I say I want to change how the Oligarchs do business. I’m afraid you’re too much a part of the old ways to ever see that.”

Roman reached back and took Cassie’s hand. “Before I met my wife, I would’ve agreed. The old ways worked. The old ways gave me strength and prestige. But I’m beginning to see how I might be wrong.”

Cassie stared up at him with adoration. I wondered if that was how I looked at Darren.

And decided that it was.

“I can set this aside for now. No more blood.” Darren extended a hand.