Luca lets out a chuckle. “So, it’s true? You’re settling down?”
Nodding, the corner of my mouth lifts. “Yes.”
“You’re the last person I expected to fall for a woman,” Nikolas comments.
“Makes two of us.”
Gabriel just offers me half a smile. Out of the entire group gathered here, he’s the quiet one. I might not be a people person, but Gabriel takes it to a whole new level.
Although fighting alongside him, when we helped Nikolas take care of the Sicilians, has created a bond between us. He had my back, and I had his.
A server takes our orders, and while we wait for the drinks, Viktor asks, “Any word on Finn?”
I shake my head. “Not yet, but I’ll find him soon.” I can feel it in my bones.
“Need help?” Luca asks.
“No, I’m handling it.” This is personal and something I have to do myself.
After the server brings our drinks, and the door shuts behind him, Luca clears his throat. He always takes lead of the meetings. “Anyone has a problem they want to raise?”
We all shake our heads, but then Viktor chuckles. “Rosalie’s a wild one. Any tips on how to tame a woman?”
Gabriel makes a gruff sound in his throat. “We killed her grandfather and uncle. Doubt any tips will help.”
“Are you keeping her?” Nikolas asks.
Viktor nods. “Can’t exactly throw her out on her ass.”
I don’t miss the possessive look in his eyes.
Yeah, there’s no way he’ll ever let the girl go.
“Any actual business to discuss?” Gabriel asks, checking the time on his Rolex.
“I’m sending out shipments of weapons tomorrow to Seattle and Chicago. They’re bound for Canada,” Luca gestures at Nikolas. “Make sure the trucks reach the border.”
“Will do,” I murmur. Gabriel just nods.
Luca asks about each member’s business dealings, then leans back in his chair. “I’m going to Italy for six months. The Albanians are moving into my territory.” He nods at Viktor. “If you can’t get a hold of me, call Viktor.”
“You need help?” Nikolas asks.
“No, the Italian mafia will handle them.”
The conversation turns away from business, and we enjoy our drinks, socializing, and just relaxing for a while.
Viktor finishes the last of his vodka, then rises to his feet, signaling the meeting has come to an end. “I need to get back before Rosalie sets my house on fire.”
Chuckling, I get up, buttoning my jacket. “So, no meeting in three months?”
Luca nods. “We’ll meet once I’m back.”
We all leave the room, an urgency to get back to Kiara, making me walk faster.
My phone starts ringing, and pulling it out of my pocket, I answer, “Liam.”
“What is this I’m hearin’ of you and Finn?” My father snaps.
“None of your fucking business,” I growl into the device. I haven’t heard from the man in almost a year, and I definitely don’t have time for him now.
“You will leave him alone. Gemma’s not happy.”
I let out a dark chuckle. “You think I care what your wife thinks? Stay out of my business.”
“Don’t make me come back there,” he threatens.
Stopping by the hired vehicle, my body vibrates with anger. “Set foot on my turf, and you’ll get the same treatment as Finn. The family no longer belongs to you. You turned your fucking back on us for that woman, now live with the consequences.”
Finally, getting to tell the man how I feel, is liberating. He’s never been a father to me. A fucking nanny raised me. He was only interested in me for one thing, and that was grooming a soldier to take over the mafia.
“You’re turnin’ your back on me?” he barks, rage packing his voice pitch.
“You turned your back on me long ago. I’m just repaying the favor.” Done with this conversation, I mutter, “Chicago belongs to me. If I ever see you again, you’ll be looking down the barrel of my Glock.”
I end the call, and placing my hand on the car's roof, I take deep breaths to calm the rage boiling inside of me.
It’s done. Now he knows exactly how I feel, and I get to put it behind me.
When I get back to the suite at the hotel, I find Kiara watching a cooking show while Declan and the other men are stuffing their faces with fried chicken.
“Enjoying yourselves?” I ask as I take off my jacket, my shoulders still tense from the conversation with Owen Byrne.
I refuse to think of him as my father any longer.
Kiara climbs to her feet, and coming to me, she wraps her arms around my waist, giving me a hug.
“Yes,” Waylon mumbles around a mouthful.
I press a kiss to Kiara’s hair. “Ready for bed?”
She nods, and as we walk to the bedroom, she says, “Night, guys.”
They all pause to say goodnight before digging into the food again.
Stepping into the bedroom, I shut the door. Kiara takes hold of my hand, and pulling me to the bed, she says, “Did the meeting go well?”