He’d spent a ridiculous amount of money having a dress tailored and created just for her to wear to this meeting. The sleek, white lines were brilliant, in some cut he didn’t understand, but he liked the finished product. It was long-sleeved, framed her body like a second skin, and flared a bit at the bottom. She had on white heels with red bottoms that made him want to rip the dress off and fuck her right where she stood. Kalinda looked amazing, regal, beautiful. She wore three-carat diamond studs in each of her earlobes. The mate ring, a black band with two howling wolves facing one another with rubies for eyes, adorned her left ring finger. The ownership he felt seeing it there swelled his chest.
It was the only jewelry she wore on her hands, in deference to him. He loved that even more.
“Ready?”
Kalinda slicked her hair over her high bun, smoothing every imaginary hair into place before she lifted her head. The curve of her neck made his mouth water. The mark he’d given her stood starkly against the white of her dress.
“This is really it,” she answered instead.
“You don’t have to be afraid.”
“I don’t think I’m afraid, really. I don’t know how to explain it, but I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t want to stand at the top, but I won’t have a choice if I want to have any control over my life.”
“Sometimes, those who don’t want it the most are the ones who get it. You didn’t ask for any of this to happen to you, but it did. And maybe you have a chance to do things in a much better way. The Council in Encantado has been running rampant with corruption and turning a blind eye to most of what occurs. Stepping in under extraneous circumstances can only help them out.”
“I never wanted to do more than live my life and feed people delicious food, Romano. I’m not in the business of politics.”
“Then don’t make it politics. It doesn’t have to be that way; they’ve made it that way. The governing body of the Council is supposed to oversee interrelations and help mages find their place. Does Encantado look anything like it’s marketed to the outside world? You think the Family got a foothold here because it was just some easy mark with all the magic and power? We came here because we needed to be here. We came into power because no one else would protect those weaker and they needed some sort of help.”
“You make the mafia sound like choir boys, and we know they aren’t.”
“No, but we were just as vicious as the enemies those people faced. We are able to fight the battles they can’t, and if that means we have to take some of the pie to afford that, so be it.”
Kalinda sighed. “I just don’t know, Romano. I thought I had it all figured out, you know? Run in there, verbally smack them around, and storm out, but the more I think about it, the more I realize I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.”
“You’re taking control, and sometimes that means not knowing where to go. It’s not like you’re expected to walk into this knowing what to do and just having to waive your hands to make it right. You may make mistakes, and that’s okay. I’ll be right there behind you. And Silva will annoyingly be there too.”
Kalinda chuckled. It was a small one, but Romano would take it. He didn’t want to see her questioning herself or wondering what she was supposed to do. All she had to take were the steps to put her in the position to do more. He knew, with her strength and control, she’d fit in and make her way.
“Kalinda, you’re not just some nobody. You’re a business owner, smart as a whip, and the woman I love who’s found a way to snatch me from all my fear and give me a place by your side. That’s not something easy. You fight for what you believe in, and I think you’re worth fighting for. You’ve always been worth it. And now, it’s your turn to fight for it, to fight for an Encantado you believe in. To make it a place where mage-bloods who are forced into its borders can find a place to rebuild and call home, like you had to. You can make it easier for them.”
“You sure you were never interested in having a career in politics? You talk like a slick one.”
“I’m only telling the truth. You don’t have to have all the answers; you just have to be willing to find them.”
She sighed, running her hands down her dress. He was distracted again, watching her. The woman could make a saint want to give up everything he’d ever believed in just to touch her. Romano couldn’t deny that being with Kalinda had changed his life in ways he hadn’t been prepared for.
He was more confident, moved with more assurance because he knew, without a doubt, he was loved. That someone had chosen him, despite all the reasons in their head not too. Because she’d fought against her past and hadn’t let it run her off.
“You can do this, baby. I know you can.”
“Eventually, I’m going to have to start acting like my old self, huh?”
“As long as that doesn’t include walking away from me or trying to fight me all over the place, I’m good with that.”
“No, I don’t think that’s possible anymore. You’d remind me pretty quick if I started to.”
“Damn right. Just take the leap.”
She smiled, a soft bloom of pride and acceptance. “Yes, I’m ready.”
“Hell yeah.”
Romano took her hand in his and escorted her out of his room to where Silva waited. If Kalinda was pure ice and appeal, Silva went for sultry command. Her dress was a vibrant red, matching the hints in her wings. Whoa, they must be like mood rings or something. It was flowy and hinted at exposed skin when she moved.
The two women were magnificent. Of course, he was partial to his mate who looked over Silva with a critical eye.
“Can’t upstage me, Queen.”
