“But you crossed a line,” Gabriel says, voice low but steady. “You spent years keeping clean, building this company from nothing, proving we are not our father. You can’t pretend this didn’t undo some of that.”
“I know,” I say. “I know exactly what I did. But it was a one-off and will never happen again.” I hope that I’m right, but if anyone threatened those I love, I know I would kill again. Without remorse or regret. Perhaps I am a soulless killer, just one with restraint until I’m pushed too far.
Silence settles around us.
Anthony clears his throat. “Then why do I feel like that isn’t entirely true…”
I look down at my hands, thinking how I should answer my cousin, who out of all the men before me, knew me best. “I did it for her above anything else.”
Franco raises a brow. “For Briar.”
“Yes.” I exhale, dragging a hand through my hair. “I love her.” They all freeze. I know why. I’ve never loved anyone before in my life. I didn’t settle, I played, but with Briar it was different. I was different.
Franco laughs, loud and disbelieving. “Well, fuck. Lucien Moretti is off the market. Never thought I would see the day.”
Mace grins slowly. “Should we send flowers? Or a sympathy card?”
Gabriel shakes his head. “Mother will pass out.”
Stephen just smiles, warm and proud. “I’m happy for you, brother.”
Anthony lets out a low whistle. “We should brace for the apocalypse. Lucien Moretti in love. The world might crack open.”
Their teasing should annoy me. Instead it steadies me. “She left me,” I admit quietly.
The room sobers instantly.
“What happened?” Stephen asks.
“I told her the truth. She asked if I killed Matteo. I told her yes. She packed a bag and walked out. I think she needs time.” None of them speak for a moment.
Then Franco sighs. “You could have lied.”
“I won’t build anything with her on lies,” I say, wanting a solid future with Briar above anything else. “If she chooses to leave me, then she leaves knowing everything.”
Gabriel nods slowly. “Then give her time.”
Anthony rubs the back of his neck. “From what I hear, she’s still working on the fundraiser with Stacy. Stacy said Briar is planning to attend, so at least she hasn’t left the city. There’s still hope for you, brother.”
I lift my head, hope filling a part of me I dare not name. “She plans to attend,” I repeat, having not known that. I just assumed she’d bypass the night, prefer not to attend and face me, pretend everything was good.
“That’s what Stacy said.”
Hope punches me in the chest so hard I grip the arm of my chair. If she were done with me completely, she would be gone already. She would vanish and never look back. The fact she hasn’t means something. It has to.
Stephen slaps my shoulder with his hand. “Use the night to fix it. You love her. Fight for her.”
Franco chuckles. “Go full romantic grand gesture. Women eat that shit up.”
Mace smirks. “But maybe skip the murder angle this time.”
Even Gabriel smiles at that.
I laugh, even though it’s far from funny. Well, perhaps a little. It feels strange in my chest, unsteady and raw. “Whatever it takes,” I say. “I will win her back.”
Anthony nods. “Then start with the gala. Be there, show her who you are now, not who you were or what Matteo Romero made you become for a night.”
I look down at the desk again. I hope she can forgive me. I hope she can see past blood and history and fear. I hope she knows I killed a man because losing her was worse than anything I have ever faced. I hope she understands I would burn the city to the ground before I let anyone hurt her again. “I will get her back,” I say. “I have to.”
