Page 94 of Sunrise Malice

“What the fuck was that?” Ronan asks me, shaking his head, looking mystified. “Did he seriously just fucking say that?”

“Seems like he did.” I narrow my eyes as Simon and Marco get into a black BMW and drive off. The Bianco soldiers follow after them. “Sounded like an invitation to me.”

“Why? I mean, do you think it’s a trap?”

“I don’t know what his game is, but if Simon Bianco wanted us dead, we’d be dead right now.” I blow out a long, frustrated breath.

Now we know where Pascal’s hiding. I have no clue what Simon gains by telling me, but there’s no way I won’t make use of this information.

Even if it costs me everything.

Chapter 42

Brianne

Another meeting at the Hayes household. This time though, it’s an evening meal, and the place is much less crowded. There are only the most important uncles and their wives, plus a few of the up-and-coming cousins, scattered around. Niall’s running the show while Ronan takes meetings in his office.

Julien’s agitated. I don’t blame him. Everything going on must be really difficult, especially knowing that he’s going to have to kill his own adopted grandfather. Even though he says he hates Pascal, it’s not easy to turn on a person that gave you a chance and lifted you up like that.

We’re ushered into Ronan’s office not long after arriving. The place is tense and on edge, and I’m guessing everyone knows about what happened at the mansion. As soon as Julien gets settled, Valentina appears in the doorway, smiling and looking gorgeous like always. “Mind if I borrow Brianne?” she asks.

“If she doesn’t mind,” Julien says, deferring to me, which I appreciate.

I want to stick around and hear what these two have to say, but I decide I can’t pass up the chance to have a chat with Valentina.

She’s the only person in the world that understands what I’m going through. Or at least, she went through something like it.

“I don’t mind at all,” I say and follow Valentina through the house.

“I thought we might go for a walk,” she says.

We step down into a crisp fall evening. The sidewalk is mostly cleared, though dry, crunchy leaves blow across the street and crackle under our feet. Valentina walks at a slow pace, her hands shoved into the pockets of her jacket, and her hair blows around her face as she looks out across the houses.

“I thought you might want a break from all that,” she says, glancing at me. “I mean, they’re not going to say anything you haven’t heard already.”

“I don’t know. I’m pretty invested at this point. You know, since whatever happens will totally change my life.”

She laughs lightly and shakes her head. “Ah, come on. That’s dramatic.”

“Isn’t it though?”

“Here’s the thing about guys like Julien. Even if this whole situation blows up, he’ll find a way to come back out on top one day. That’s just the sort of person he is.”

“I’m glad you have such unwavering faith.”

She waves a hand, shaking her head. “Not at all, it’s just that, these boys have been feuding with each other for way too long. I’m looking forward to it all being over.”

We walk in silence for a little while. I’m thinking about all the different ways this could go wrong and what the worst-case scenarios might be. If Julien has to go back to France and start over, would I go with him? Would I stay here and start all over again?

I can’t imagine waking up without him anymore, but this is my home.

“Can I ask you something?” I ask, still trying to get my thoughts in order. “How did you know when things were right between you and Ronan?”

Her eyebrows raise. “That’s an interesting question. What makes you ask?”

“I don’t know. Just curious, I guess.” I feel a little awkward and embarrassed. Not that long ago, this woman was married to the boss of my family. I never exactly looked up to her, but I respected her at least.

Now we’re peers in a strange way.

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