Page 25 of Fighting

“Your last two rats.” The room goes quiet at Killian’s declaration. We had all believed we had exterminated the last of them with the demise of Joseph. Before I can wrap my head around the news, Killian continues. “I know Santo was working with the Cartel. He infected my own ranks thanks to my cousin. Become my ally. Hide my brother, help me take down my cousin, I’ll give you the two names and together we can take down the Cartel and their trafficking business.”

Luca strokes his hand over his short beard as he takes a moment to think it over. It’s a good plan, and it would give us an alliance with the two other powerhouses of the city. It could mean peace for us all.

“We will agree to help you. In every way we can, however without a blood bond or marriage between our families, the council will never allow a formal alliance and treaty. The most we could formally offer is a temporary truce.”

“Not good enough.” Says Grady. “If Killian is taking over, he will need his position to be on solid ground. That starts with an alliance.”

“Val and Milan are the only family of high enough status to solidify a pact.” Responds Luca. “We need one of their hands to bond the Russians. We have already a verbal agreement with them, and the council has approved it. With Val being reunited with Keira that would leave Milan to marry Ivan. I doubt very much you would want to propose that Val marry an Irish blood whilst being with Keira.”

“Never.” I shout. I shouldn’t yell at my Don. But for Keira, I will go to war with him.

Killian waves his hand as though it’s not a big deal. “Of course not.” Turning to us. Killian looks to Keira first, then me. “I propose Val marry Keira.”

“Okay, but I fail to see how that solves our dilemma of a marriage bond.” Reminds Luca.

“Keira is recognized by my inner circle and my loyal men as a sister in our organization. Bound by our blood debt. As I said earlier my men are loyal to her even before our engagement. As a recognized member of my family, or the inner most circle of the Irish, would your council agree to it”

Holy shit. Could that work?

Please work.

Luca ponders for a moment, before turning to whisper to Massimo. After a minute, he turns and does the same with Bosco. “I believe we could get them to agree. However, I will not force the hand of my brother nor Keira. They have lost seven years together. I do not wish to force their hand only to find that the love they once had no longer exists.”

I open my mouth to argue. Ready to declare my undying love for Keira, but Luca raises his hand to stop me. “I am not trying to deny your feelings brother. I want you both to think on it. Spend time together. Get to know one another again. In the meantime, we agree to a truce. We will work to further hide your brother, take down your cousin and eliminate the Cartel from the city.”

Luca and Killian both stand, and round the table to meet in the middle and shake on it.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Keira

WELL, THIS ISawkward.

Tino and I are sitting in a private study. Actually it may be his office. There is a modern looking gaming desk in the corner with three monitors mounted on a single stand. The rest of the room doesn’t match the aesthetic. It’s all rich mahogany bookshelves, and leather couches. Landscape paintings that probably cost more than my medical degree hang on three of the four walls. There isn’t anything personal in the room except for the desk set-up. Knowing how much Tino loves computers, I’m betting it’s his.

We’ve been sitting in silence for about five minutes. Tino is beside me. He’s not making me sit on his lap at the moment, but we are touching from toe to hip. He hasn’t said a word since we got in the room. We used to be able to sit in silence for hours at a time and it never felt weird, or necessary to fill the void.

Does he feel the same way about it now? Or is he anxious like me?

I’ve been avoiding looking at him, as I’m not sure what I’ll see on his face.

I’m not sure what I am hoping to see on his face either. Taking a deep, fortifying breath, I gather up my courage and turn to look at him.

His face doesn’t give much away. It’s sort of blank. Not angry, or sad blank. More like peaceful blank. “Hi.” I say.

Oh my god. Did I just say freaking hi! Shoot me. Someone put me out of my misery.

Tino laughs. It’s sweet. Not condescending like my mind was fearing. “Hi.” He says back. Then he leans forward and brushes a strand of hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear. “I missed you.”

I can’t help the smile that crosses my face. “I missed you too.” We fall back into silence. This time it feels less awkward, and only lasts two minutes.

“I don’t want us feeling like we’re walking on eggshells around each other.” I nod. Same. “You can ask me anything you want. I’ll answer as truthfully as I can. I also want you to know, you aren’t a prisoner here. I’m sorry Luca and everyone made you feel that way.” He blows out a breathe, it makes the ruffled hair on his forehead flutter. “Luca knew I had been looking for you. He didn’t want you to leave and risk me losing you again.”

“You were looking for me?”

“Yeah.” He looks nervous. “I hate it, that I didn’t run after you back then. I was angry and Santo was keeping me busy with odd jobs. Looking back I think he did it so I didn’t have time to look for you. By the time I could think straight, I figured it was too late to beg for your forgiveness. The night I missed you at the lake house, it was my initiation. The video you saw, was the first man I killed. It’s how you become a made man in the family.”

He pauses. I think he’s waiting for me to freak out. Seven years ago, I may have. I’m not that same girl. And just like on the day Santo showed me the video, if he had reason to do it, a good and valid reason, then I can live with it. Considering, my hands are no longer clean, it would be hypocritical of me to hold this against him. I decide not to say anything. Instead, I reach forward and take his hands. Hoping he understands my silent request for him to continue.

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