I shoot him a glare.
He holds up his palms, his bright smile wide. “I swear every woman in this family puts the fear of God into my testicles.”
Tank does a double-take. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Lunch.” Dom laughs and pats his stomach. “I say weird shit when I’m hungry; let’s go.”
“He’s in a meet—”
Dom shakes his head.
Tank grumbles something under his breath, and the door is all mine to open. I burst through it and announce, “I love you!”
“Glad someone does,” Ash says under his breath.
I still when I realize that every single mob boss is standing around that room along with all of the heirs just watching me with grins on their faces like they’re waiting for popcorn and another announcement.
King gets to his feet, slams his hands onto the desk, and says, “Out.”
I start to turn on my feet when Maksim grabs me by the elbow and shakes his head slowly. “Not you, Del.”
Frozen in fear, I wait for everyone to leave the room.
The door closes silently behind a smirking Valerian.
And I’m left alone with the most powerful man in the Kingdom, the one who gave me a choice.
Slowly I turn around to face him, and all I can get out is. “You.”
Chapter Forty
Roman
I walk away, and I know what I want.
I wanted her, I still want her, but I also know her maybe better than she knows herself.
Afraid to love him.
Afraid to leave him.
What sort of knight would I be if I let her choose me, knowing that she’ll always be looking over her shoulder, searching for him?
Sometimes it takes a true friend to show you where your heart lies, and hers hasn’t been mine for a while. She just didn’t know it.
I’ve done my job.
Now it’s up to me to stay and make sure she does hers.
I watch in the shadows; I realize I’m happier there than I was in the light. I’m happier when I can watch and protect when I can use my sword to make sure nothing touches her—or him.
I can’t even hate someone that noble. She finally makes it into the office, and everyone piles out, some laughing, others a bit more serious, and it’s Maksim who locks eyes with me and gives me a single nod.
I nod back.
Then one by one, the men who brought me into this mess, who made me their brother, put a hand on my shoulder and walk by like they know the sacrifice I had to make and want to honor me for it.
Heavy is the crown.
Only someone like King could carry it.
Only someone like Del could help him.
I’m exactly where I belong, even if jealousy pours through me. Even if I wish it were me, that’s not my path.
“Come on.” Junior kicks me in the shin.
“What the hell?” I roar. “Why did you kick me?”
“Should have blocked him.” Ash shrugs, then lunges for me.
“Is this a sick game I’m not aware of?” I back up against the wall.
Valerian chuckles darkly. “You want it to be?”
“Something’s wrong with you guys.” My body’s on high alert, just waiting for someone else to come at me.
Maksim shoves me down the hall. “Time to spar, young one. We have a lot to teach you.”
Somehow, I’m now walking down the hall, the basement, and into a giant gym and sparring ring.
I’m finally home.
Finally fucking home.
I smile and crack my knuckles. “Who’s first?”
I don’t see the hit fast enough as Ash takes me to my knees and laughs. “Wanna play?”
Chapter Forty-One
“We’re Lancelot and Guinevere, fleeing through the forest from a jealous King Arthur. Any moment we’ll come upon a white steed and Lancelot will swing me up upon its jeweled saddle and we’ll gallop off together.”—Hester Fox, ‘The Witch of Willow Hall
King
I sit in that office hearing everything and nothing all at once as everyone reported to me, knowing that I would rule everyone and everything in a few short hours.
A mafia kingdom at my age.
Who knew?
Dad.
He did.
He prepared.
I went through his extensive notes and nearly lost it in front of every boss when I noticed the sticky notes in his handwriting reminding me of things, giving me clues, information.
When I made it to the giant stack of black folders from Phoenix Nicolasi, he simply shoved them to the side and said, “Too much too soon.”
He was right. That stack was thick.
At the moment, I needed to focus on a blood ceremony, a bonding between all the bosses and me. At the moment, I needed to focus on finding out who the hell wanted to kill my parents—and me.
I was about to start the meeting when the door burst open, and Del rushed in. My heart wasn’t ready for that sort of shock, so I just sat there and waited for her to announce she was leaving when she said, “I love you.”