Page 194 of Divine Obsession

“Convenient explanation,” Salvatore grunted, shifting in his chair.

“It checks out,” I interjected. “Tokyo wouldn’t risk their relationship with us over a low-level power play. This was a loose cannon operation.”

Salvatore’s gaze flicked to me briefly before he turned to my father. “Regardless, this changes nothing between our families.”

“It should,” Natalia said suddenly, her voice cutting through the room like a blade. “This war – whatever you think you’re gaining – it’s pointless. We’re done fighting each other when there are bigger threats out there.” She didn’t look at her father when she spoke, and that deliberate avoidance wasn’t lost on anyone.

Salvatore’s jaw tightened. “I’ve been protecting this family since before you–”

“Enough.” Natalia finally looked at her father, her tone final.

Richard watched the exchange with mild interest, his expression unreadable, but I could see the calculating gleam in his eyes. He thrived on power dynamics, and Natalia’s open disdain for her father wasn’t lost on him.

I leaned back, crossing my arms. “If we’re going to end this rivalry, it has to start now. Both families have too much to lose if we keep this going.”

My father nodded once. “Agreed. But trust is earned, not given. We’ll try, but don’t expect a goddamn miracle.”

Salvatore exhaled heavily, running a hand down his face. He glanced at Natalia, his eyes softening for a moment, but she didn’t look up. He sighed. “Fine. If ending this rivalry will help fix this mess, I’ll agree.”

There was no warmth in Natalia’s expression, no acknowledgment of her father’s concession.

“It’s a start,” I said, breaking the silence.

My father smoothed a hand over his tie. “A truce, then.”

Both men stood across from the other, on opposite sides of the room, before they both nodded.

The moment hung in the air, fragile but significant.

Salvatore’s gaze lingered on Natalia, but she was already walking away and heading for the door without a word.

I followed, the sound of our steps echoing in the otherwise silent room. Behind us, the future of two dynasties teetered on the edge of change.

Once we made it to the underground parking, I opened the passenger door of my Ferrari for Natalia. Leaning down, I rested my hand on the roof. “I’ll be right back. Okay, baby?”

“Okay.” She smiled softly, hitting the lock from inside after I shut the door for her.

My father was already waiting for me around the corner of the cement parking, by his Range Rover.

“You wanted to talk to me?”

He nodded, adjusting his black, cotton trench coat. “Your sister needs protection. She handled the kidnapping impeccably – taking out three grown men while her hands were tied. But I can’t risk anything like that happening again. Not after everything…”

I nodded. “I understand. I’ll take care of it.”

“You’ll make sure she’s safe.”

“Of course. Are we talking part-time or–”

“I want twenty-four-seven security and eyes on her. At least until all this shit settles down. Yes?”

I nodded again. “I know just the man for the job.”

The summer evening wrapped around us like a warm embrace, the heat of the day lingering in the air but softened by a gentle breeze as we walked Uptown on Fifth Avenue.

We’d earlier gone to visit Natalia’s mother’s burial at Cavalry Cemetery in Queens. After paying our respects, we headed back to Manhattan and walked the length of Central Park – one ofNatalia’s favorite things to do, that had recently become one of mine too.

We took a left into the park, her hand in mine, a bag of Japanese takeout swinging lightly in my other hand while she carried a scarf she bought on a corner on Broadway. Cast in the shades of the park’s trees, the city’s buzz faded into the background as we strolled along the path.

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