Page 134 of Divine Obsession

“Because it’s your empire on the line,” Natalia said sharply, her tone as smooth as it was cutting.

She didn’t look at me when she said it, but the implication was clear. We were in this together. Whether we liked it or not.

The room felt like a bomb waiting to go off, each word from either side a lit match daring to ignite it.

My father’s voice, calm but sharp as a scalpel, cut through the air. “If the rat gains control of your shipping ports, Salvatore, our entire supply chain is dead. Guns, smuggled goods, cash – all of it –done.”

Salvatore leaned back in his chair, considering the weight of my father’s words. His dark eyes flickered to Natalia and me briefly, before settling back on Richard.

For the first time, there wasn’t hostility between them – just acknowledgment of the risk hanging over both families.

“This is bigger than either of us,” I said, letting my gaze sweep the table. “They’re not just hitting us out of greed.They want to end the Families.”

The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the faint hum of the building’s air conditioning.

Salvatore gave a sharp nod of agreement, but his lips twisted into a thin, humorless smile. “Collaboration doesn’t mean trust. Let’s get that clear.”

The rules came next. Both families would keep their soldiers separate, with clear lines drawn to prevent any accidental – or intentional – sabotages. Natalia and I would act as mediators, handling communications to prevent unnecessary friction.

“If we have a rat, no one else can know of this,” Salvatore said, his voice hard.

My father nodded.

“Trevor and I will handle it.”

I couldn’t help the small smirk tugging at my lips. Natalia had a way of commanding a room when she wanted to, a skill I wasn’t sure I remembered.

“This alliance ends when this is dealt with,” Salvatore grumbled.

“Agreed.” My father nodded.

The terms were laid out, but the air still buzzed with tension. This wasn’t peace – it was a temporary truce, fragile and filled with mutual distrust.

But it was a start.

As the meeting wrapped up, I caught Natalia’s eye.

There was something there, something unspoken.

The understanding that we were going to solve this together.

My Ferrari was still purring slightly, cooling down from the drive, even after the engine roared to a stop, echoing against the cold concrete walls of the underground parking garage. I got out, Zach following behind from the passenger side as we headed towards the doors leading to the elevator bank.

“You gon’ tell me why I’m here?” His tone carried that edge of impatience that was as familiar as it was amusing. He’d already asked on the drive, but I’d deflected then too. He hated when I did that.

I smirked but didn’t stop walking. “Nah, but you gon’ owe me for this one.”

“For what? You’re being cryptic as hell, man.” He gestured broadly with both hands.

“You’ll see,” I said, not bothering to turn around. Truth was, his reaction was going to be worth the buildup.

Zach groaned dramatically. “You know I hate surprises.”

The soft amber lighting of the lobby caught on the gleaming dark wood paneling that lined the walls. Tall, sleek lamps framed the sitting areas, spilling in soft pools across modern furniture. Everything about this place screamed quiet wealth. Even the scent in the air felt expensive.

The revolving glass doors at the front entrance turned with a muted whoosh as Francesca and my sister entered the luxurious apartment building.

We stopped in front of the elevators, waiting for the girls to reach us. Francesca raised her free hand in a lazy wave, her other clutching a fancy bottle of red wine that nearly matched the deep crimson of her dress. Her heels clicked sharply as she strode over, while Kali followed with her usual quiet confidence, though tension still suffocated between us since I’d found out about her double life as an underground street fighter.

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