"Neither did I," I say. "You're up next, you know."
He laughs and claps me on the shoulder. "Lyra's making me see two venues next week and already setting dates."
"What a life we lead now, brother, huh?" I ask.
"What a life," Declan says with a smile.
He walks into the house and makes his way to my office. "Everyone should be inside," Declan says.
We approach the door, and Declan pushes it open for me.
Enzo Bonventi sits closest to the window, his silver cufflinks catching the light as he adjusts his jacket. He looks relaxed as always. Ares Kastaris sits in the chair beside him, one ankle crossed over his knee, taking a sip from a glass. Octavian sits on the couch opposite them, the groom adjusting his tuxedo jacket and looking like a man who'd rather be back with his bride.
Next to him sits the man we're all here to discuss, Matei Ionescu.
Matei hasn't changed much since I last saw him. Still the same sharp suit, the same calculated expression, the same air of dangerous intelligence. The man who sent Zaria to me like a gift-wrapped weapon. The man who gambled everything to be here in this room.
Looks like he won that bet.
Declan closes the door behind us and takes his position near the bookshelf, arms crossed, as I take a seat at my desk.
The room settles into expectant silence.
"A beautiful ceremony," Enzo says, breaking it first. "Your sister looked radiant."
"Yes, absolutely," Ares agrees. "Calli would not stop talking about it. If I have to hear 'I'm the maid of honor' one more time, I'm going to lose it." He laughs. "She's been talking about it nonstop since the invitation arrived, and using it as leverage with every discussion."
"Thank you," I say. "And thank you all for coming. Now let's get to it so we can all get back out there. Especially the groom." I nod toward Octavian. "Pretty sure my sister will murder all of us if you're gone too long."
Octavian's mouth twitches. "She's already texted."
"Then let's make this quick." I turn to Matei, meeting his dark eyes directly. "When we met in Germany, you made me a promise. You said your family wanted an alliance, not a war. You said you'd deliver my father's killer in exchange for essentially passage through our ports."
Matei nods. "Yes."
"You delivered," I say. The words taste strange on my tongue, gratitude mixed with everything that followed. "Cormac Donoghue is dead. The Morrígan Order is scattered, and the woman you brought helped us dismantle them faster than we could have alone."
He smiles. Everyone in the room knows what Zaria is to me now.
"So," I say, straightening and squaring my shoulders, "I'm here to officially deliver on my promise."
I clear my throat.
"The Killaney family grants the Ionescu family passage into our city's ports. Full access, standard split, the same terms weextend to our existing allies." I gesture toward Ares and Enzo. "Contingent on their agreement, of course."
"The Kastaris family is in agreement," Ares says immediately, looking at Matei. "Enzo vouched for you, now Callum, so I have no problem."
The room shifts to Enzo, who nods. "Bonventi's as well." He turns to Matei. "Congratulations. You've accomplished what your family has been attempting for three generations."
"My father and his brothers made enemies," Matei says. "Like I told Callum, my brothers and I prefer to make allies."
"Smart man," Enzo says and raises his glass. "To new partnerships."
Matei leans forward on the couch, shifting his jacket. "My family is extremely grateful for this. And I promise, my three brothers and I will not only make all of you more wealthy, but we will take great pride in making this our most beneficial alliance." His gaze sweeps the room, lingering on each face. "The Ionescus do not forget debts. Or friends."
"Speaking of which," I say, leaning back in my chair, the leather creaking beneath me, "where do you want to do business? Besides Chicago and here."
"California."
