The part of me that is a Boss, who spent years preparing my son for scenarios such as this one—where he would have to defend his position to others simply because of who he is—is pissed. This isn’t the type of situation where you can send in a proxy, not if you’re wanting to show people who and what you are. Reputations are everything in this world, and Roman isn’t off to a good start.
Scanning the guards they’ve brought with them, I narrow my eyes when I see Marcus standing at Carter’s shoulder. I also note that they have a fourth guard with them—one of the trips, Dmirti, though I only know it's him as he’s the only guard of the three of them. I know he is here more to act as Jude’s interpreterthan anything, and we’d be assholes to make a scene about him being an extra body.
“Thank you for coming,” Lio says. “I’m glad we’re able to meet like this.” He sweeps his gaze over both Allesandro and I, briefly looking at Luca before focusing his attention back on his former Master.
“We…appreciate you for inviting us,” Allesandro says neutrally, which is more than I thought my friend could be when it comes to his Boy.
“We’re not here to waste time,” Lio says. “We all have a lot to do, and a common enemy to defeat, which is why we called for this meeting. To hopefully come to a truce and start working together.”
I swallow back the first instinct that comes to me, which is to ask if that means they’ll be coming home with us. From the way Tennant glares at me from where he hovers over Jude, my former best friend knows what I’m thinking and is plotting my demise.
“Yes,” Allesandro agrees. “This would be a lot easier on all of us if we are able to work together. Especially, since…some new information has come to light.”
I’m impressed by the way he twists his words and dangles the carrot in front of them. I know better than to think any of them would fall for it, but putting it out there, forcing them to give as much as they’re expecting to get, is only fair.
“We’re not here to play games,” Carter speaks up. “If you know something, it’s best to say it. Otherwise, how can we trust your word is valid? Keeping things to yourself…it helps no one in the long run.”
“And how would you know that?” I ask carefully. “Being a Boss was never something you were interested in. How canwetrust that you haveourbest intentions at heart?”
“Careful, Cris,” Carter says icily. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think it was your uncle speaking and not the man I married.”
Allesandro places his hand on my arm, in both warning and comfort, and I have to bite back the harsh words I want to say. “I am who I am, Amore. I always have been. It is not my fault you’re just now seeing it. This is the game you chose to play when you took up what is not rightfully yours.”
Before Carter can respond, Lio steps in, giving me a hard stare. “Oh? And who should take up the mantle of the De Lucas then? You? Why is that? Because you’re married? I don’t think so. Marrying you might have linked the Families together, but they will always beCarter’sto do with as he pleases. Unless you’re planning to stage a coup against the man you supposedly love.”
The glint in his eyes says he knows more than he should. The link between Carter and Leandro is easy to see, all you have to do is be in the same room as the two of them. Still, Leandro’s made his position well known. He isn’t, and may never be, ready to accept his birthright, which means, until that happens, Carteristhe rightful heir.
None of that makes the facts any less true, though. Carter was never supposed to take up the position of Boss.
I can’t say any of that though. The little psychopath wants me to spill secrets that aren’t mine, giving him a reason to take me down. I refuse to be part of his game.
“We really are here for nothing except a truce,” Jude cuts in, breaking the tension between Emilio and I. “We have a common goal, and by working together, we can achieve it. We are far stronger together than divided, but that does not mean we will bow to your whims once again.”
“And who are you to speak to us in that manner?” Allesandro asks carefully. “I respect your position as Roman’s Second, but this is a conversation between Bosses, is it not?”
Jude doesn’t cower or bend under the pressure, if anything, he lifts his chin higher in defiance, his pale green eyes look dark in the low lighting.
His words are careful, precise, and he doesn’t hold back where anyone else would. “I’m here for my Boss because he can’t be. He chose me to be his voice, and that’s what I am. This conversation is between Bosses, and mine made it very clear how he feels about being in the same room with the man who ruined every single happy memory he had as a teenager. So, yes, you will be negotiating with me, but know that I have the full backing of my Bosses.”
Allesandro and I glance at each other, that one wordBosseshanging between the five of us. It was a deliberate word, chosen for their position, and Jude knows it, though he doesn’t look even a bit smug when we turn back to him, which is credit to his training and what he wants to portray.
Stubborn. Allesandro called his Boys stubborn, but I’m more inclined to say wayward and defiant.
“You’re here to establish yourselves as Bosses,” Allesandro tells them.
“We are,” Lio agrees. “Carter and I have already claimed our birthrights, but since Roman is not here, we are giving you word in his stead, along with his Second as witness and representative.”
“If Roman is declaring himself as an Amato Boss, I need to hear the words from his lips,” I inform them stiffly.
“No, you don’t.” Carter shakes his head. “He gave his word and blessing to the Council, and this is our position.”
I tense while Allesandro studies them carefully before asking, “So, you are ruling as three then? One umbrella for three vastly different organizations.”
“Yes,” Lio says simply.
“That’s dangerous.”
“It’s more dangerous to be apart,” Jude says, quiet but firm. “We tried that, remember? It didn’t end well for any of us. This Council, it is more than one voice, one law, it's an understanding and respect. And we ask that you will respect that with a truce between us.”
