More than anything, I’m sorry that he was hurt, that what should have been simple became such a tangled mess. But I can’t tell him any more than I already have. We don’t speak any longer—for the sake of peace in my marriage as much as because Niall seems to want to keep his distance—and I wish I could tell him how grateful I am that he saved me. But whenever we’ve been in the same room and I’ve tried to meet his eyes or go to him, he’s turned away. And I know I have to respect that he wants space from me, no matter how much I might want to make amends.
I glance at my reflection in the mirror, seeing Connor’s heated gaze over my shoulder, taking in the long rose-pink silk gown I’ve chosen for tonight with a slit up one side, a small amount of soft Alencon lace in a paler pink shade at the top of the slit and the base of the v that it makes between my breasts, and thin spaghetti straps. I’ve often heard that redheads shouldn’t wear pink, but I’ve always loved the contrast, and I added to it with rose-gold pins in my hair tipped with pearl and rose quartz and a rose-pink lip stain that matches my dress. In pearlescent satin Chanel strappy heels, I stand almost as tall as Connor, and I turn in his arms, leaning back as I take in his handsome face. He’s shaved for tonight but left a hint of auburn stubble, just the way I like it, and even his bespoke suit and tie can’t hide the glimpse of tattoos at the side of his throat and peeking over his wrists. It adds an edge to him, a sense of danger, and I feel something low in my belly tighten and heat at the thought of what I have planned for us tonight, after the gala.
And he hasnoidea.
“Come on,” I tell him, reaching for my rose-gold box clutch and taking his hand. “Wouldn’t do to be late to my own gala.”
I’ve rented space in the Boston Public Library for the night. When we arrive, Maggie is already there, overseeing catering and the setup of the space along with Sasha. She turns and grins at me as I walk toward her, and I can’t help the broad smile on my face as well. Maggie’s never been at any of the many galas or dinners or parties I’ve had to attend over the years, either because I thought it was too risky to invite her and have her in the orbit of the others there or because she’d declined, saying she had no reason to be there. But she’s here tonight for me. There’s no reason to fear because my husband and his brother lead one of the biggest crime organizations in the Northeast, and their protection extends to her now, too.
“You look gorgeous,” I tell her, and she makes a face. She’s wearing an elegant dove-grey dress that comes to mid-calf and black strappy high heels, the slit in the dress showing off her toned legs, and the draped neckline even hinting at cleavage. She’s styled her red curls back, pinning them away from her face. She’s actually wearing makeup—lipstick in a brick red that’s only a couple shades darker than her hair and winged eyeliner that’s surprisingly crisp for someone who I’ve literally never seen wearing makeup before.
“This is for you, and only you,” Maggie says with a grimace. “These heels hurt, my face feels like an oil slick with this makeup, and this dress is so tight I won’t be able to eat a single bite of food. I hope you know how much I love you.”
“I helped with her makeup,” Sasha confides, coming over to greet Connor and me. She looks beautiful, too, in a cranberry red gown of a similar style with illusion lace in the v of her neckline and down the back so that it looks like the buttons are floating over her skin. Her strawberry blonde hair pulled to one side. She looks vaguely uncomfortable in her heels as well, but then her face lights up, and I turn to see that Viktor and Caterina are arriving as well, with Levin and Max just behind them.
I’d have a one-in-four guess as to who she’s that excited to see, and my money would land on the priest.
“I wonder if they’re just going to make eyes at each other forever or actually do something about it,” I whisper to Connor, who grimaces.
“Knowing what I do of Max? I’d wager the former. She’s shyer than a flower in early spring, and he can’t come to terms with the fact that he’s no longer really a priest.”
“I don’t favor those odds,” Maggie says, wincing.
“What would be my odds of getting a dance tonight?”
Maggie turns sharply to one side, nearly tripping on her high heels, as Jacob comes to stand between her and me, giving Maggie a rakish grin. “I’m Connor’s best friend, and you’re Saoirse’s, so we should get to know each other, don’t you think?”
“Absolutely not,” Maggie says firmly, at the same time I do.
“I try to keep heroutof mob circles,” I tell Jacob firmly. “The foundation is an exception.”
“It’s just a dance, not a marriage proposal,” Jacob says, his grin relaxing into an affable expression. “But as you wish.”
“This looks lovely, Saoirse,” Caterina says as she comes to stand next to me. “You’ve done an outstanding job planning it.”
“I couldn’t have done it without all of your help,” I tell her firmly. “You’re going back to New York after this?”
“For a while,” Caterina confirms. “Max and Sasha will be coming back with us. But we’ll conference in for meetings, as Viktor and Luca will for meetings of the Kings.” She smiles softly. “And now that the boys are all getting along, I’m sure we’ll be making trips to Boston more often.”
“Speaking of getting along—” I mutter as Luca and Sofia walk in, Liam and Ana with them. Ana had insisted on coming, despite my telling her she should stay on bed rest, with the promise that she wouldn’t stay too late and overtire herself. She’s wearing a gorgeous emerald gown, with flats instead of heels, her blonde hair done up in a ballerina bun and secured with diamond pins. She and Liam look perfect together, I have to admit, and watching them walk in together with his hand gently on her back, steadying her, I can’t deny that the love between them is real. It might have caused pain and strife for a little while, but it’s all worked out in the end, and I can’t imagine a different life now, one where I’m with Liam instead.
But it’s not Liam and Ana I’m anxious about seeing. Or Luca, who looks relaxed and pleased to be here. It’s the tall, gorgeous brunette at Luca’s side—and the handsome blue-eyed man at Liam and Ana’s.
Niall ignores me, heading past Connor towards the bar. But Luca and Sofia stop next to us, and Sofia turns to me, her dark eyes troubled. She’s wearing a crimson dress and matching lipstick, her pregnancy beginning to show, and she’s glowing, her dark hair left to tumble in luscious waves over her shoulders.
“I’m sorry we’ve fought,” Sofia says quietly. “I know the tension between us hasn’t been good for anyone. You have to understand, Saoirse, Ana has been my best friend long before I knew anything about the mafia—before I knew about my father’s connections, or that I was promised to Luca, or anything else. I’m protective of her, and it’s impossible not to be. She’s been through so much, and I’ve often felt that it was my fault—that if we’d never been friends, if she hadn’t become my roommate, she’d be a prima ballerina right now, dancing for a crowd of thousands, living out all of her dreams. So when she had a chance at happiness with Liam, I wanted to fight for her to have it, to make sure she didn’t lose everything. And when I thought she’d be sent away with him, far away from my family and me—”
“I understand,” I tell her quietly, and I do. “I’ve fought just as hard for Connor and for our life. It’s what you do for those you love. But we’ve made peace, all of us. I don’t resent her for marrying Liam any longer—things have turned out better for Connor and me than I could have ever hoped they would. Connor is home now because of all of it, and his relationship with his brother is mending every day. There’s peace among the mafia, the Bratva, and the Kings—and with any luck, if Niall pulls this off, soon the Santiago cartel will join us as well. Liam has brought so much to the table as well—the information from Beth in D.C., the future with the cartel. Viktor is setting up his training for the assassins for the Syndicate, and with Alessio at Luca’s side, we’ll hopefully have stronger ties in Chicago soon. It’s been tense at times, but in the end, it’s all come together. And I don’t wish for there to be tension between us, either, Sofia. All of us—the wives—should try to work together just as our husbands are.” I clear my throat, reaching for her hand. “When Ana is better able to handle it, I’m going to ask her to join the board for the foundation as well. We can make peace, as Connor and Liam have. And we can all walk into the future together.”
“I’d like that,” Sofia says softly, and she squeezes my hand.
I feel a sense of peace as the space starts to fill up with guests, and we all find our seats for dinner, that I haven’t felt in a long time. Our lives have all been fraught for so long, but now there’s hope for the future. There’s so much that can still happen, and for the first time, I feel as if I’m eagerly looking forward to it, instead of fearfully.
The gala goes over as perfectly as I could have hoped. The catering is exquisite, the music just as I’d asked, and Connor and I dance together more than we did at our wedding, spinning around and around the dance floor until my feet hurt. We all dance with each other as well, the wives and husbands going back and forth, even Liam and I.
“I’m happy for you,” I tell Liam sincerely as we sway with the other couples back and forth. “I know it didn’t seem like it at first and that things have been tense and angry between us. I’m sorry for what I did to you. I hope we can put it all behind us.”
“I’m sorry that I hurt you, too,” Liam says, looking down at me with his calm green gaze. “I never wanted to hurt you, Saoirse. But I had to follow my heart. As for what you did to me in front of the Kings, I’ve never blamed you or been angry. If you’d refused, the consequences for you could have been just as bad. We were both victims of archaic, outdated rules. Rules that Connor and I will be doing our best to change going forward.” He pauses, looking down at me. “I’m happy for you too, Saoirse. I’m happy that you’ve found what you deserve with Connor. You both make each other better, I think. And I’m glad for it.”