Ares's eyebrow rises. "California?"
"Yes." Matei smiles. "We've heard our neighbors the Bulgarians are trying to secretly make a play in the state. Consolidating operations up and down the coast, pushing out smaller players. We do a lot of business with them, but we prefer to win."
"And you think you can outmaneuver these guys?" Enzo sounds skeptical.
"They don't have secure shipping lines," Matei says. "Not yet. Their supply chains are vulnerable, stretched thin by expansion. Our alliance here," he gestures around the room, "will secure that for us. Your ports on the East Coast, Kastaris's Mediterranean routes, and of course the Bonventi infrastructure. We can move product faster and safer than they ever could."
"It's true, transportation across the country is rough," Enzo says. "The feds have been cracking down on interstate shipments. Lost two trucks last month to checkpoints alone."
"Yes," Matei agrees. "That's where your network will come in." He smiles. "For a cut, of course."
Enzo laughs. "I like this alliance more already."
It's settled then," I say, standing. "The Ionescu family has full access to our ports and our blessing to expand westward. Once you're established, we'll revisit terms." I extend my hand. "Now you can go and leave your Romanian mark on California."
Matei stands, buttoning his jacket with one hand, and extends the other across the desk. I shake it. His grip is firm.
"Time to get to work," he says.
He moves around the room, shaking hands with Declan, Enzo, and Ares, exchanging words I don't catch.
He hugs Octavian and says something in Romanian, and they laugh.
Then we all head toward the door to get back to the wedding.
As we make our way outside, Matei falls into step beside me as we cross the lawn.
"So you're really going to ask her to marry you, huh?"
I freeze.
The others keep walking, their voices fading as they head back toward the garden. I glance around, making sure Zaria's not nearby. I see her at a table, talking to Lyra about something as they both laugh.
"Yeah." I look at Matei. "Octavian told you?"
"Yes, by accident." Matei waves a dismissive hand. "But I wanted to ask you. It's crazy, you know. When I sent her to you, I thought for sure you'd kill her, not fall in love."
"You and me both," I say.
He's laughing, but the truth of it twists something in my chest.
"The night she arrived," I continue, the words coming slowly, "she looked at me like she was already dead." I watch Zaria across the lawn, the way sunlight catches her hair. "She told me to pull the trigger. Meant it, too."
Matei is quiet, then turns to me. "And now?"
"Now she runs the company her father built to destroy us, she sleeps in my bed every night, and I can't imagine a future where she's not standing next to me."
"Love, huh?"
"Without a doubt, Matei."
He considers this, then nods slowly. "Thank you for all this. The alliance. I know it hinged on you, your word, your support. Enzo and Ares wouldn't have agreed without your backing."
"Your family earned it." I extend my hand again. "We'll be in touch. Once you're settled in California, come visit. Bring your brothers. Let's make this partnership as strong as it can be."
Matei shakes my hand firmly. "Consider it done." His grin returns, that sharp Romanian charm that probably opens as many doors as it closes. "Come to Romania any time, too. What a ride this is going to be."
He releases my hand, reaches into his jacket, and pulls out a pair of designer sunglasses. He slides them on with practiced ease.
