And then I head back out to Drago.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-NINE
Drago
My phone buzzes in my pocket as Lily snuggles on my lap, half-asleep and warm, watching some romcom on the TV like the world didn’t try to end yesterday.
I glance down, and Enzo’s name lights the screen.
“One second, baby,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to the top of her head before I answer. “Enzo.”
His voice comes through calm and controlled. Too calm for what we’ve just lived through. “How’s Lev holding up? Any updates?”
I drag a hand over my face, the exhaustion sitting in my bones like lead. “Still nothing.”
There’s a pause. “Is now a good time to talk business?” he asks.
I glance down at Lily. She’s settled against me like she belongs there. Like she’s always belonged there.
I have nothing to hide from her.
“Yeah,” I say. “Sure.”
We’ve already started rebuilding and regrouping in the background. But today was about spending time with our family. Declan is working with Enzo to have Inferno fixed up after the strike. Except this time, it’s just going to be a family bar. No more sex club. No more Decadence Games.
The chocolate factory is staying, for its main purpose, to be the perfect front for the business.
“I have a proposal for you.”
My chest tightens, instinct flaring even though the war is technically over.
I promised Lily a different life. A safer life.
“Enzo, I’m?—”
“Done?” he finishes for me.
My throat works around the word before I say it. “Yes.”
He doesn’t sound surprised. He knows me too well.
I’ve purposely ensured that no matter which family I work with, I’m not tied to them. I’m an asset, not property. I don’t have to earn my way out with blood or obedience.
Not Enzo.
Not Declan.
The only man who ever truly had a claim over me is lying in a hospital bed fighting for his life.
And even Lev still needs protection from the Quinns right now.
Tatiana is still out there.
And Monaco… Monaco feels further away than ever unless I can carve out a safe passage.
Enzo’s voice stays steady. “And that is my proposal, Drago. You give me the intel extracted from the necklace… and the necklace itself.”
I go still.
