Page 106 of Fierce Monarch

“I’m fine,” I promised, staying back like I’d promised the nurses. “I need to tell you something, though.”

Telling Cameron was awful, but he didn’t seem upset. He didn’t seem like…anything. Maybe he’d shut down, or maybe he was too high on the pain meds. I wasn’t sure. When Ash gave me a shaky smile from where she perched on the bed at his side and asked me kindly to give him some time, I left, hoping he’d forgive me someday.

For now, I had a party to plan.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Mari

Traditionally, wakes were somber as people settled in to wait over the soul of the dearly departed. For us, it was an excuse to party, and even the fact that Joaquin was a traitor didn’t dampen our spirits.

Although, that was probably all the booze.

Everyone had made the drive back to the mansion for the funeral because even I couldn’t burn a whole-ass body in the middle of the city. Cameron and Aislynn had to stay in the hospital, though she’d texted that they were having a private wake together, which I appreciated. My cousin needed someone with him, and his wife was the perfect option.

Meanwhile, I was strolling through the garden, pouring shots from the bottle in my hand for my buzzed men to use as they raised toasts, not to Joaquin, but to Rey and Antoni and even my father. Cameron’s men also raised their glasses to stories of him as a child, though they were told less in honor of my uncle and more in appreciation of his legacy.

His shrouded body lay elevated in the center of the garden, the space between him and the stone slab below covered in ready-to-burn wood. There were small trinkets and photos from those brave enough to leave those memories with him, though I wasn’t sure if, like the stories of his children, it was to honor what they thought were memories instead of the reality of his demise.

Either way, I hated seeing the pyre set up. The last time, it had been Rey lying there. The time before that, my brother. In moments like this, where grief crowded me like an unwanted shadow, it felt brand-new. Like I’d done no healing at all. It sucked.

Thankfully, my men stayed close by, keeping an eye on me. I’d let myself have a single glass of wine with Shara, who’d left almost immediately after she’d come, so I wasn’t struggling through it all totally sober. Still, I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

Unfortunately, duty called.

Because of my uncle’s extensive history in the city, I’d had to issue invitations to all the leading factions, though I kept his traitorous nature to myself. Kosas and Ajilon had come and left almost as quickly, barely stopping to pay their respects. Haru had sent a text that he was unable to come at all. The only leaders who’d made themselves at home were O’Bannon and Two-Bit. The latter set himself up near the bar and merely raised a glass in toast when I spotted him, but O’Bannon was on the warpath.

“I hear my daughter’s in the hospital again.”

Honestly, I was surprised Ash had even told him. It was obviously her decision, but from what I knew, she’d barely spoken to her father since the wedding. He certainly didn’t reach out to her often.

I nodded noncommittally. “She is. It’s been taken care of.”

“My little girl was almost burned alive, and you think burning a fucking building means it’s taken care of?” The anger in his voice was real, but I didn’t think it was actually about Ash being his precious daughter. Sean O’Bannon was a proprietary man.

Aislynn was his property, and someone had tried to take her away from him.

“Cameron was the only one truly hurt, and he got that way making sure his wife was safe. What matters is they’re both okay.”

He huffed, downing his whiskey like it was a shot and reaching for a bottle nearby. “If you think blowing up a building is enough to make up for someone nearly taking out one of my heirs, you’re wrong.”

“No, but since Ash is now a Marcosa, she’s mine to avenge as I see fit. The building had sentimental meaning to Cash, so I took it from him like he tried to take Aislynn. When we get him on his back, I promise you can gut him for his part in Ash’s pain if it makes you feel better.”

When I thought he’d say something else, Kieran dropped a hand to his shoulder and whispered in his ear. Without looking away from me, Sean nodded, and the tension in the air dissipated. “I’m sorry for your loss. Your uncle was a good man.”

My uncle was a betraying fuck, I wanted to scream. Instead, I gave O’Bannon a tight smile. “Thank you for coming.”

“Keep my daughter safe, Mari,” was what he said, but I could read between the lines.

Don’t lose my investment, or I won’t help anymore.

“Of course, Sean.”

Dominic took his place almost immediately. “What did the Irish fuck want?”

“To tell me I was doing a shit job protecting his kid.” Dominic huffed, and I laughed. “What did you need?”

“Greyson sent me to tell you it’s time.”

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