Dante pulls me from my thoughts by pressing a chilled bottle into my hand and I tear my gaze away from the well-decorated dining table to meet my brother’s gaze.
“Thanks.” Habit has me checking for thenon-alcoholicsticker on the beer before I take a swig, though I doubt Dante would forget something like that. Alcohol remains a thing of the past and I plan for it to stay there, especially with a baby on the way. I don’t want to miss one second of my future.
“Cara seems to be settling into the flow of things well,” Dante remarks quietly, swirling his own glass filled with something copper before he takes a drink.
“When she puts her mind to something, there’s no stopping her,” I agree, “and she’s determined to thank everyone for everything they’ve done to help her, help us. I found her asleep in flour and pesto the other day.”
“Food is the best way,” Dante grins.
I nod in agreement, taking a drink of my beer as I scan the guests that have been trickling in for the past hour. Sienna is with Emilia, playing with her as she straps her neatly into her high chair. Cain and Declan linger near the bar, deep in conversation and the sight of them pulls oddly at my heart.
Archer’s not here yet.
It took me a few days to realize the discomfort that creeps up when thinking about him is because Imisshim. He’s been off duty since he was shot and not having him around me every day has been… alien. I may not be as close to the other two Arco brothers but I appreciate them nonetheless. Cain had offered once to step into Archer’s shoes while he healed but I couldn’t accept.
He’s not so easily replaced.
“How have you been holding up?” Dante asks, pulling me from my wanderings once more and I turn to face him, offering a soft smile.
“It’s nothing new, is it,” I reply, “there’s always some horror lurking on our doorstep.”
“True,” Dante sighs deeply into his glass. “But this was different. This was personal, to you and, well. If you need anything in that regard, I’m here. I’m hoping this is the end of our losing streak. No Snake, no Blair, no war between the families. Just… peace at long fucking last.”
“How’s the world settling around Feliks and his new leadership?” I haven’t seen the Russian since that night but I’m well aware that I owe him my life and so much more. Something I doubt I’ll ever be able to repay.
“Well, helping save the life of my brother earns him good favor with me and Sienna,” Dante remarks with a light smirk before the serious curtain drapes over his face. “He’s kept to his word about the weapons shipments and has already sent some new clients our way when they came looking. No one’s died in the past two weeks so… I think we’re good. I don’t want to attend any more funerals.”
“Agreed.” The thought of wearing that black suit to mourn yet another of our friends settles exhaustion heavy in my heart.
“He’s throwing a party for all of us in a few weeks,” Dante continues, “a show of peace and strength between the families and hopefully a damn good time.”
“A warning too?” I ask.
“Kind of. Things have been messy between all of us for so long, Sienna doesn’t need the Yakuza or someone thinking they have a chance. No telling what they’ve been up to while we’ve been tearing each other apart. Can’t have them thinking there’s weakness in any corner.”
“Makes sense.” I take a swig of my beer, focusing on the malt coating my tongue as I catch sight of Owen entering and being greeted warmly by Cain and Declan. “Maybe we finally have peace.”
“One can only hope,” Dante chuckles before silence falls. Then, after a beat, “I’m proud of you, Killian.”
“What?” Try as I might, my brow lifts on reflex as I meet Dante’s eyes.
“You’ve grown so much these past few months and I’m proud of how well you’ve handled yourself,” Dante continues and his arm falls heavy and warm around my shoulders. “You’ve cut out drinking for good, you found your focus and you’ve developed a stronger trust between important members of our organization. And now you’ve got a wife you love and you’re on the cusp of your own family. I’m just… proud of you. I know things have been tough on you, even when we were little and I know I played a part in that.”
He pauses and Blair flits into my mind, a pain that will take a long time to fade.
“Cara’s hard to say no to,” I joke, a chuckle rising from my chest but my heart pulls up, warmed by Dante’s words. I never thought I would hear such a thing from him. “Nah, I had a pretty good role model,” I smile softly and Dante laughs, pulling me against his chest in a tighter hug.
“We’ll be alright, won’t we Kill,” he grins and I nod, catching Sienna’s warm gaze as Dante pulls back. She nods at me, just once and my chest constricts.
Happiness. What a strange concept.
Just as that thought spikes in my mind, Archer walks through the door and my heart jumps. His face carries shadows of his fight and his broken arm is wrapped in a crisp white cast, tucked into a navy blue sling but he’s smiling andaliveand that’s all I care about.
Excusing myself from Dante, I hurry across the dining room and Archer catches sight of me.
“Boss!” he exclaims, that cheeky grin breaking over his face. I care not, grabbing his shoulders and pulling him into a bear hug the moment I’m within arms reach. He squeaks somewhat in surprise as the ridge of his cast cuts into my chest but again, I care little for that.
“Archer!” I exclaim, squeezing him tight for a few bone creaking seconds. “Thank you,” I say and those words rest heavily with every ounce of appreciation I have for him. From having my back to protecting Cara; there’s never going to be enough words to express my gratitude in that regard.