Page 29 of Love & Violence

He nods before getting out of the vehicle. He waits for me to walk in front of him, and I lead him toward the entrance.

“I can’t believe you broughthimhere,” Rylee hisses at me.

“I’m sorry, Dutchess. But this isn’t about you right now. Don Esposito is dead, and Domenico, the new head of the Esposito crime family, has come to broker a truce.”

My sister’s eyes are wide with shock as her gaze bounces from me to Dom and back again. “Dad and Zero are in his office.”

A murmur goes through those gathered as I lead Dom through the clubhouse. I know people are confused and scared, and seeing us together isn’t helping the situation.

“Where do you think you’re going, boy?” Wrath, our Road Captain, asks as he blocks us from the stairs.

“To see Grimm. You know, our President and my father,” I say as I try to step around him.

“And your friend?” his tone is accusatory.

“Wrath, you can either move the fuck out of my way, or I can remind you why you all call me Psych. Your choice.” My voice is low, but the threat is clear.

“Are you threatening me?” He puffs out his chest, trying to intimidate me.

“Let them through,” my father says from upstairs. “I would love to hear my son’s explanation for the mess he has caused this club.”

I glare at Wrath as I walk past him. Domenico is silent beside me, but I can feel the tension vibrating off him in waves. We enter my father’s office, and I motion for Dom to take a seat before I do. My father and I glare at each other, a battle of wills.

“You put your sister in danger,” he says. “You put this entire club in danger. And for what? Some forbidden pussy?”

My panther is ready to pounce, to make my father bleed for the disrespect to our mate, but I hold him in check.

“Rylee was never in any danger, and you know it. She’s a better shot than most of the men you allow into your club.” I keep my voice level, my gaze trained on my father. “And Aryanna is not some piece of random pussy. She is my fated mate and soon to be the mother of your first grandchild. So, have some fucking respect.”

“And that is supposed to fix all of this? You have started a full-blown war!” he yells, slamming his fist on the wooden desk. “Stefano Esposito is dangerous and ruthless, and he will not stand for this.”

“Stefano is dead.” Domenico is calm and composed. “I now lead the Esposito family.”

Both my father and Zero are incapable of hiding their shock. For long moments no one speaks, and I’m not sure where to go from here. I brought Dom here to broker peace between our families and have done my part. Now it’s up to him.

“You came here with my son freely?” My father seems confused by this turn of events.

Dom nodded.

“Why?”

“It is time for peace.” He steeples his fingers below his chin. “There has been enough blood spilled on both sides. Aryanna, my sister, is all I have left in the world, and I would prefer not to lose her as well. She has made it perfectly clear that she will choose Draven above her own blood.”

“And what will this peace cost us?” Zero asks with a glare.

“Nothing. We can work together and share the territory and the spoils. I am not as ambitious as my father was. I want to live in peace and do my business. Perhaps see my sister every now and then.”

“If that’s all you want, you don’t need to be here brokering peace.” My father is cautious, as always.

“Draven and Aryanna will ensure that we are one family. Their child will be both a West and an Esposito. We need to cement our ties as allies as well. In business and all other ventures.” Dom sounds bored, but I can see the twitch above his eye. I know he’s holding something back.

“And how would you suggest doing that?” Zero asks. But the look on my father’s face says he has already figured it out.

“He wants Rylee,” I say.

****

Aryanna

---