“But there will be plenty of blood before that happens.”
Park nodded slowly. “Plenty,” he echoed.
“What can I do to help you?”
“I want you and your family to back my play,” he said, shifting slightly toward me. “With the Morozovs behind me, I think I can finish this in the next few weeks at most. There’ll be some pockets of resistance and a few guys won’t be able to fight alongside you Russians, but most of them are pragmatic enough to see the necessity.”
“You’re really selling me here,” I said drily.
He laughed. “Help me win this war and our families can be allies for years to come. You’ll have my personal guarantee that the Lionetti family will never go against the Morozovs again, so long as our interests aren’t directly crossed, and I’ll even throw in some territory and some money.”
“I’ll have to talk to my Pakhan, but I have a feeling he’ll be interested.”
“This can be good for both of us, Luke. You’ll have a direct line to my family through me, and I’ll be secure in the knowledge that you have my back. We can rule this city together.”
“You can rule it alongside my Pakhan.” I glanced at Cara and she looked back at me, lips pursed. “I’m not as ambitious as I used to be.”
“Ambitious or not, this is going to be good.” Park stood up slowly and nodded down at me. “You know how to get in touch. Think it over and let me know, but do it quick. I’m not sure how long I have. Shit can change at any moment.”
“I’ll let you know.”
Park waved to Cara then strode off. Several men peeled away from benches, from trees, from lingering near trashcans, and walked alongside him.
I let out a breath. “He sure as hell came with backup.”
“He’s not stupid,” Cara said. “What do you think? Are you going for it?”
“It’s not a bad idea.” I leaned back on the bench and sighed. “The problem is, I suspect the Pakhan would rather destroy the Lionettis than work with them.”
“You’ll have to convince him then.” Cara kissed my cheek. “This’ll be good for everyone, right? It could bring peace to the city?”
“I think so. The other minor families won’t be able to stand up against our combined forces.” I looked down at her and smirked. “Since when were you so political?”
“Since the start. I’ve been whispering in your ear this whole time, guiding you in the right direction.”
“And look at me now, making deals that’ll change this city for years to come.”
“And that’ll make you rich and your family powerful.” She kissed my neck. “That actually kind of turns me on. Does that make me bad? Am I just a broken individual now?”
“Absolutely,” I said and kissed her lips softly. “And I fucking love it.”
She laughed and leaned against my shoulder. “When did I become such a mob wife?”
“When you decided that you couldn’t live without me.” I stood up slow and took her hand. She followed me back along the path but this time I took the long way and strolled at a leisurely pace. I draped my arm across her shoulder and hugged her close against me. “What do you think about getting a place together?”
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize I wasn’t already living with you.”
I smiled a little. “You know what I mean. We’ve been shacked up in that safe house, but I’m talking about an actual home. Some place you have some say in.”
“Your current decor isn’t exactly my style.” She made a face. “It’s a little… masculine.”
“Guilty as charged. What do you think then?”
“I think I’d love it.”
“Good. Now I think we should talk children.”
She laughed. “Luke, what’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.” I stopped walking, her hands in my own, and stared into her eyes. We were right in the middle of Rittenhouse, surrounded by trees, and nearby a woman played a slow violin song to a group of tourists and pedestrians.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” She laughed, a little nervously.
I slowly got down on one knee. “When I woke up in that bed after the doctor saved my life, I knew I had to do something.”
“Luke.” Her voice was soft, far away.
I took the ring box from my pocket. “I knew I had to make you mine. But I thought I never wanted to get married. I thought marriage was for suckers and boring middle-class suburban people with their little dogs and their happy children and their clean lives. Over the last couple months though, I realized I was wrong about all that.”
“Luke.” She put her hands to her mouth as the violin played louder.
“I love you, Cara. I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life worshiping the ground you walk on. Will you be my wife?” I opened the ring box.