“I am no longer in need of the alliance we discussed. The Russian situation has… resolved itself through other means.”
It’s a lie, but a necessary one. The truth would initiate all-out war. One I’m not prepared for, not yet. Not until I have all my chess pieces in play.
“That’s… irrelevant.” Delan’s voice goes cold. “We had an arrangement —”
“No. We had a discussion.” I lean forward, weaving my fingers together on top of the desk in front of me. “However, I understand the benefits to these sorts of arrangements. Which is why I’m proposing an alternative arrangement.”
“An alternative.” He doesn’t sound interested, but I see Shufen sit up a little straighter.
“My Capo, Omero Montanti, is a man of considerable standing in my organization. He is connected, powerful in his own right, respectable.” I pause. “And he has expressed interest in pursuing this marriage alliance between our families. With my blessing of course.”
I don’t mention the conversation Chloe, Omero, and I had two days ago. How she’d explained the intricacies of Triad politics — that a rejected marriage proposal without an offer of alternative would be seen as a grave insult. That it would bring shame to Shufen publicly, damage her marriage prospects, reflect poorly on Delan’s ability to arrange beneficial alliances, and so on and so forth.
We needed to give them an alternative, a way to save face. Omero had agreed without hesitation when I’d suggested the idea.
“Your second.” Delan’s eyes narrow. “In your place.”
“Correct. I’m withdrawing from consideration. I have my own plans for my next marriage. But Omero represents a strong alliance. The Montanti family has considerable connections. In many ways, it is a more advantageous match than I could offer. And through that marriage, Shufen would essentially become a part of my own family.”
It’s a stretch, and we both know it, but it’s a stretch that allows Delan to accept without taking a loss.
Shufen speaks for the first time. “Father, this could be a valuable connection for us indeed.”
Smart girl.
Delan is quiet for a long moment, contemplative, his fingers steepled in front of him.
“I will need to meet with this Capo of yours,” he finally says. “Ensure he understands the expectations of such an arrangement.”
“He’s available at your convenience.”
“And there will need to be some financial terms discussed —”
“Of course. Same as before, additional trade access. Territory agreements. The only change is the groom.”
Another long pause. “I’ll need time to consider this.”
“Understandable.” I keep my expression neutral even though I want this meeting to be over. “But I’ll need an answer within the week.”
“You will have it.” Delan’s smile is sharp. “I’ll be in touch, Mr. Cierro.”
The screen goes black. I lean back in my chair, releasing the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. My phone buzzes on the desk beside me. Omero.
“Think he bought it?” He asks when I answer.
“He doesn’t have much choice. Accepting looks better than starting a war over a rejected marriage proposal.”
“And if he doesn’t accept?”
“Then we will be ready,” I say glumly. “But I think he will. His daughter was right there giving him the reassurance he needed.”
“Clever girl, that one.”
“She is.” I think of Chloe’s half-sister, how she helped Chloe escape, how she sat there giving her father reassurances of the out he needed. “Maybe too clever for her own good.”
“When do you want to set up the meeting he requested?”
“Let’s give him a few days. Let Delan digest the changes. Make him think we’re being patient, doing him a favor.”
