Page 231 of Intense
I tap my rings on the table.
“What brought him out of hiding? What does this gala mean to him?”
Theo gives me a menacing grin, and I already know what he’s done.
“Me. He thinks he’s getting me delivered on a silver fucking platter with a cup of steaming hot tea.”
Ryder's face scrunches up, and I can feel the anger radiating from him. And I smile. I can imagine that’s exactly how my brothers would react too. But sometimes you have to do what you need to do to gain power.
The Kings are close to a takeover now. Arthur is the only one standing in their way. Once they can establish their empire here, they will form their alliance with us. They’re set for life.
“How did you manage that?” I ask, tightening my hold around Stephanie’s waist.
“He actually reached out to me. Wanted to have a civil discussion around a ceasefire. Clearly a trick. So, I played along and suggested the gala. It’s hosted by one of the companies our elders own. No links to us directly, though. He thinks he’s walking into neutral territory,” Theo tells me.
I glance at Declan and know he’s thinking the same as me.
That does not sound like Arthur. He’s greedy. Power hungry. A ceasefire is not in his vocabulary. But, I guess, maybe all of his close relatives being six feet under has changed him.
Desperation can change a man.
“And what if he brings an army? What if he’s already planted bombs there?” Drago asks, his voice like ice.
“We own the building. Twenty-four-hour security. You think I wanna get blown up? No thanks. Arthur knows he will not be granted access to the building with a bodyguard. He accepted the terms.”
I scratch at my jaw. I don’t like this. I lean in closer to Declan.
“Do you think Arthur would walk into his death this easily?” I whisper.
Declan shifts in his seat.
“It ain’t the Arthur we know, is it?”
The purpose of my fucking life is sitting on my lap, walking into this with me. And that puts the stakes that much higher. The Finn before her? He would have loved the idea of walking into a war zone, just for the fucking thrill.
The Finn now?
I’m worried. Something deep in my gut is telling me to tell her to stay here. But the thought of leaving her in a country I have no real power in?
I can’t do that either.
“She’s safer with us, Finn,” Declan says quietly, as if he can read my fucking mind.
He probably goes through this with Charlotte, our little assassin. Even though we know she could chop us up if she wanted to, he’s still worried about her. I think it’s natural when you love someone with your entire being.
Part of me wants to lock Stephanie up, keep her safe forever. But, that isn’t my girl. That isn’t what she wants or needs from me. She wants to be a part of something. She deserves to be beside me.
And it’s on me to keep her safe.
Enzo pulls a slim black case from his briefcase and flicks it open. “Earpieces,” he says simply. One by one, he drops themonto the table, each delicate curve of metal and wire looking harmless enough, but they’ll be the thread keeping us together tonight.
He meets my eyes as he passes mine over. “I’ll be watching from here. Every camera, every feed. If anything shifts, I’ll see it first.”
“Thank you,” I reply, sliding it into my palm. The weight feels too light for what it means.
Enzo has come through on his promise. We’ve got the manpower. The technology. And it is all thanks to him. Hell, he even bothered to join us in London. Perhaps our new alliance together will work out after all.
Stephanie stiffens in my grip, her gaze darting over the table, memorizing every detail. I can see the questions forming on her lips, the way her hands grip her purse where the gun sits hidden. Brave little temptress. In over her head, yet she refuses to sink.
