Stepping further into the room, Burke led me in the direction of Jonah and Logan. "They want to make an alliance."
"Okay, but how does that translate into putting this much trust in them?"
"It turns out they never wanted an alliance with the Peraltas, but Lucian forced their hand. Jonah and his brother, Jayden, offered to defer to us."
"So, you'd be their boss?"
"In a manner of speaking," he murmured, drawing to a stop beside Logan.
"Mr. Gallagher." The stranger extended his hand, a delighted smile on his face. "And this stunning woman can only be Mrs. Gallagher."
"Jonah Carmichael, this is my wife, Kinsley."
I shook his hand, and Finn squealed, bouncing in Burke's hold.
"And this is our son, Finn Gallagher."
The smile on Jonah's face heightened until it was bright enough to light up the room. "I adore bambinos." He held out his hands, and I felt my heart stop momentarily when Finn reached for the man.
With what seemed to be understanding, Burke gripped my hand and pulled me against his body. "Babies have a sixth sense, don't you think, Kinsley?"
I had to run my tongue around the inside of my mouth to unstick my lips before I could speak. When no sound escaped my open mouth, I merely nodded.
Finn drooled on Jonah and grabbed a handful of his hair. Jonah continued smiling at him. "I have two daughters, myself, and I have to admit I'm waiting for the day they're old enough to give me grandchildren."
Burke smiled easily. "How old are they now?"
"Oh, Ava is twelve and Alyssa is fourteen. As much as I want them to remain children, I know it would behoove me to see them well-matched."
"It's a tough decision to make," Logan interjected.
"I'm not a fan of arranged marriages, so I've refrained." Jonah handed Finn over to me, and my entire body relaxed at the solid feel of him in my arms. "The Peraltas pushed us to make such arrangements and weren't pleased with me for refusing."
"They took so much from you, Jonah." Burke rested his hand on the other man's shoulder. "But now you're free."
"I know I have you to thank for that." At Burke's raised eyebrow, Jonah continued. "Oh, there's no evidence, son, but I just know. And I will forever be in your debt."
"The difference between us and the Peraltas is we won't demand shares of your earnings or pacts of any nature. I don't want you to bow down to me, I want you to walk beside me."
I beamed at Burke's statement. If anyone could make a new alliance work, it would be him.
"Since the bride and groom have joined us, let's put business aside for now," Jonah commented. "We have time to hammer out the details, my friend."
Burke clapped Jonah on the shoulder, and they turned as one to face the entrance of the room. The DJ announced Caden and Maddie as the new Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher, and I had a moment to be thrilled that she and I shared the same last name. Maddie was radiant, and I didn't think Caden had stopped smiling the entire day. They deserved the happiness they'd found together.
Everyone took their seats at the various tables, Burke and I to the left of the happy couple, and Logan on the right. Maddie's parents sat to my left, Mrs. Lewis helping to entertain Finn. Nobody had mentioned the missing family members, but their absence left a glaring hole.
Clinking a spoon against his glass, Burke stood and addressed the crowd. "Caden came to live with me at the age of eight. Since then, I've considered him my brother. I admit I had doubts when he introduced us to Maddie. What I didn't know then was how much she would come to mean to my family. She is warm, bright, and a great friend to my wife and myself. Most importantly, she is the perfect life partner for my cousin, my brother, Caden." He lifted his glass in their direction. "May God be with you and bless you. May you feel no rain, for each of you will be a shelter to the other. May the meaning of this hour be fulfilled through the days and years to come. Merry met, and merry part, I drink to thee with all my heart. Sláinte."
Tears formed in my eyes as I lifted my glass in a toast and drank. Burke's previous nerves must have rubbed off on me because I began to feel anxious at the stares from the people seated with Jonah Carmichael. I wanted to trust Jonah, and he certainly gave off an air of trustworthiness, but I was scared to let my guard down. I drank more champagne, hoping to settle the nervous butterflies in my stomach. Something wasn't right, but I didn't know what.
"Kinsley, I'll watch little Finny if you want to dance with your husband," Mrs. Lewis offered.
My smile was weak. "Thanks, maybe I'll take you up on that."
Burke must have overheard. "I think it's an excellent idea, Kinsley."
With my stomach in my toes, I accepted his hand, and we moved to the dance floor. But not before I snagged another glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
