“She would be dead in six months if I didn’t make her come here,” I shot back.
“Maybe,” he said. “But now she’s mine to deal with. That means every scream, every withdrawal, every relapse attempt. Mine.”
I ran my hand over my face. “Speaking of my family.”
He took a breath. “Lay it out.”
I glanced up.
“My father owes me money. Real money. He been dragging his feet for years. My mother barely sees her grandson and only called me to enforce Yuna. When she got kidnapped, them old heads moved too slow. Too comfortable until I said something about killing my father if he didn’t take care of Dale.”
He nodded slowly.
“They’re losing their edge,” I continued. “If you inherit the Delacroix seat, I’m taking mine. Forcefully, if I have to.”
He didn’t hesitate.
“I’m with you.”
“You staying in France though?” I asked.
“For now, I guess,” he replied. “Until she is stable. I’m not leaving her here alone.”
I gave him a small nod. “Appreciate you being stand up.”
He shrugged like it was nothing. “Go take Emily and my nephew to dinner before y’all fly back. There’s a spot by the harbor. Kid-friendly.”
Nonchalant like he wasn’t about to lock himself inside a war with a broken princess.
The nurse came in quietly.
“She is stable and sleeping,” she reported. “Surveillance is active. We will wake her every two hours to monitor.”
“Call me if she spikes. I’m just going out for a drink,” Ares said.
“Of course.”
I walked into the living room.
Emily looked up immediately. “Is Yuna going to be okay?”
I sat beside her. “She will be.”
She studied my face like she was checking for lies.
“Let’s go to dinner,” I said gently.
She smiled faintly. “I’d like that.”
I knelt and helped her carefully strap on her walking brace.
“You good?”
She nodded.
I picked up my son. He wrapped his arms around my neck.
We headed to the hotel to change before heading out.
