Page 88 of All's Fair In Love & War

“Only the ones I want to kill,” he replied. His voice was calm, but it lacked any friendliness. “But we both know that would be bad for business.”

The movers paused, their eyes flicking between us as they picked up on the shift in the atmosphere. I motioned toward the hallway without looking at them. “Go ahead and finish setting up the bedroom. Leave the tags. I’ll handle them later.”

When they disappeared down the hallway, Khalil moved further into the living room.

“So,” I said as I walked over to the kitchen island. “I suppose you’re here because you noticed the lease.”

Khalil nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You mean the shell company with the dumbass name? Of course, I noticed.”

I chuckled because I knew it wouldn’t slip past him. In fact, I hoped he wouldn’t. The name, UpperhandEquity,alone was enough to piss him off. It was a smug reminder that I wasn’t playing from the bottom. I could’ve gone with something discreet, but where was the fun in that? Let it gnaw at his nerves.

I wanted him to know I was here, in his building, over his head, and near his sister. Even though they probably weren't aware that I knew, she lived in the penthouse on the highest floor. Her living space spanned the entire level, whereas mine consisted of two separate penthouses.

I poured myself a drink without offering him one. “I figured I wouldn’t slip past you. Just thought you might wait until I got comfortable before stopping by.”

“You shouldn’t have thought anything. I saw the lease the second it crossed the wire. I let it slide. Wanted to see if you'd try to move like a ghost in my house,” Khalil replied, his eyes locked on mine.

“And?” I asked, lifting my glass to my lips.

“And I don’t care what name you used, or how many shell companies you think you can hide behind. Nothing moves in my building without my say-so. Nothing.”

I took a sip and nodded. “Good to know,” I said, holding his stare.

Khalil didn’t blink. “It better be.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not here to cause problems. I just needed a change of scenery and a view I could appreciate.”

“And that led you to Bulgari Towers?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest skeptically.

“It was available,” I said with a shrug. “And the penthouse has its perks.”

Khalil scoffed. “Don’t get comfortable. You’re here because I’m allowing it. That’s all.”

“Then I guess I have to enjoy my time here while I can.”

We allowed the silence to linger briefly. There was no pretense or bravado, just two men who understood the treaty's rules and were playing the long game.

I set my glass down and grabbed the bottle to pour another drink. “How’s Felicity?”

His expression remained neutral, though his jaw tensed slightly. “Fine.”

“Is the wedding happening soon, or are you opting for a long engagement?”

He took a breath before answering. “You’ll find out when your invitation arrives.”

I smirked. “It should be soon, right? Peace treaties aren’t worth much without the ring to back it up. People start to wonder if the alliance is real.”

“The alliance is solid,” he said finally. “The wedding is just a ceremony.”

“That so?” I took a slow sip and leaned against the counter. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like a whole lot of waiting. Which makes people nervous. When soldiers get nervous, they get sloppy, and when business partners get antsy, they start looking for other options.”

His jaw flexed, and for a moment, I thought he might take a swing, but he didn’t. Khalil just rolled his neck and uncrossed his arms.

“Let’s be clear. This marriage is the only reason your family still has territory to stand on. You gained a seat at The Inc’s table, a cut of our ports, access to laundering through our banks, and your name on contracts you couldn’t have touched without my signature. My family gave yours financial cover after years of bleeding money and men. We opened doors for your businesses to expand and cleaned up your image so you could be calledDonwithout someone laughing in your face.”

He stepped in closer, his voice dropping even lower. “So don’t stand in my penthouse and act like you’re running shit. You’ve gotten more from this alliance than you deserve, so you’ll get the wedding when I say it’s time.”

I set my glass down on the counter and let him finish without interruption.

---