Chapter 50
Present
The next morning, I sat at the polished glass table in the Su Dynasty building’s conference room, the faint scent of leather lingering in the air. Sunlight poured in through the grand windows, casting long shadows across the room.
My father sat at the head of the table. Across from him, at the other head, Salvatore Moretti.
And then there was Natalia.
She sat next to me, her posture stiff, her eyes downcast but sharp. The usual warmth in her caramel gaze was absent as she refused to even glance in her father’s direction.
“Tokyo has assured us the rogue elements were an isolated faction acting without orders,” My father spoke sternly.
“ Convenient explanation ,” Salvatore grunted, shifting in his chair.
“It checks out,” I interjected. “Tokyo wouldn’t risk their relationship with us over a low-level power play. This was a loose cannon operation.”
Salvatore’s gaze flicked to me briefly before he turned to my father. “Regardless, this changes nothing between our families.”
“It should,” Natalia said suddenly, her voice cutting through the room like a blade. “This war – whatever you think you’re gaining – it’s pointless. We’re done fighting each other when there are bigger threats out there.” She didn’t look at her father when she spoke, and that deliberate avoidance wasn’t lost on anyone.
Salvatore’s jaw tightened. “I’ve been protecting this family since before you–”
“ Enough .” Natalia finally looked at her father, her tone final.
Richard watched the exchange with mild interest, his expression unreadable, but I could see the calculating gleam in his eyes. He thrived on power dynamics, and Natalia’s open disdain for her father wasn’t lost on him.
I leaned back, crossing my arms. “If we’re going to end this rivalry, it has to start now. Both families have too much to lose if we keep this going.”
My father nodded once. “Agreed. But trust is earned, not given. We’ll try, but don’t expect a goddamn miracle.”
Salvatore exhaled heavily, running a hand down his face. He glanced at Natalia, his eyes softening for a moment, but she didn’t look up. He sighed. “Fine. If ending this rivalry will help fix this mess, I’ll agree.”
There was no warmth in Natalia’s expression, no acknowledgment of her father’s concession.
“It’s a start,” I said, breaking the silence.
My father smoothed a hand over his tie. “A truce, then.”
Both men stood across from the other, on opposite sides of the room, before they both nodded.
The moment hung in the air, fragile but significant.
Salvatore’s gaze lingered on Natalia, but she was already walking away and heading for the door without a word.
I followed, the sound of our steps echoing in the otherwise silent room. Behind us, the future of two dynasties teetered on the edge of change.
Once we made it to the underground parking, I opened the passenger door of my Ferrari for Natalia. Leaning down, I rested my hand on the roof. “I’ll be right back. Okay, baby?”
“Okay.” She smiled softly, hitting the lock from inside after I shut the door for her.
My father was already waiting for me around the corner of the cement parking, by his Range Rover.
“You wanted to talk to me?”
He nodded, adjusting his black, cotton trench coat. “Your sister needs protection. She handled the kidnapping impeccably – taking out three grown men while her hands were tied. But I can’t risk anything like that happening again. Not after everything…”
I nodded. “I understand. I’ll take care of it.”
“You’ll make sure she’s safe.”
“Of course. Are we talking part-time or–”
“I want twenty-four-seven security and eyes on her. At least until all this shit settles down. Yes?”
I nodded again. “I know just the man for the job.”
The summer evening wrapped around us like a warm embrace, the heat of the day lingering in the air but softened by a gentle breeze as we walked Uptown on Fifth Avenue.
We’d earlier gone to visit Natalia’s mother’s burial at Cavalry Cemetery in Queens. After paying our respects, we headed back to Manhattan and walked the length of Central Park – one of Natalia’s favorite things to do, that had recently become one of mine too.
We took a left into the park, her hand in mine, a bag of Japanese takeout swinging lightly in my other hand while she carried a scarf she bought on a corner on Broadway. Cast in the shades of the park’s trees, the city’s buzz faded into the background as we strolled along the path.
We found a spot on the great lawn, where dozens of people had already settled in for the late afternoon outdoor movie screening.
“This is perfect,” Natalia declared, setting down the scarf with the authority of someone who’d done this a million times.
I watched her work with a faint smile, her lips pouting in concentration as she smoothed the scarf out and then took off her Manolo Blahnik heeled sandals.
Lowering myself onto the fabric beside her, I leaned back on my elbows. “This has become our thing, huh?”
She glanced over at me, her brown eyes warm and soft. “What, Central Park movies? You’re lucky I let you tag along.”
I chuckled, reaching for the takeout bag to hand her the sushi and chopsticks. “Mhm. If you were so picky, you wouldn’t have invited me.”
“Who said I invited you?” Her laughter mingled with the soft sounds of the park – the rustling of leaves, the distant murmur of conversations, the crinkle of picnic blankets being laid out.
“How’s Maria doing, by the way?”
“Really good. The better Zach gets, the better she gets too. I’m just happy they’re happy, you know?”
“Of course.” The screen flickered to life, casting a golden glow over the lawn. I leaned a little closer to her. “So, what movie is it tonight, amai ?”
“The Wedding Planner,” She replied, her voice carrying a touch of excitement that made me smile.
“Ah,” I said, nodding. “A classic. Good pick.”
“You’re not just saying that?” She asked, raising a soft brow.
I held up a hand in mock defense. “Kali made me watch everything Jennifer Lopez was in when we were kids. Plus, I’m all in for anything that lets me spend time with you.”
Her cheeks flushed pink faintly, and she turned back toward the screen, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re getting good at this, Trevor.”
“At being your boyfriend? Yeah, I know. I’m the best.”
She laughed, leaning softly into my side.
The movie started, the opening credits rolling across the giant screen, and we ate in comfortable silence, the world narrowing to the warmth of the evening and the glow of the screen.
As she leaned back slightly, I found myself watching her more than the movie. There was something about the way she looked so at ease, the way she claimed the space around her with quiet confidence. It was rare for either of us to have a moment like this, away from all the responsibilities, and just be together.
Natalia caught me looking. “What?”
I shrugged, pulling her closer. “Just thinking this might be my favorite kind of summer night.”
Her gaze softened, and for a moment, the world outside Central Park didn’t matter.
It was just us.
Two people sharing a scarf under the sunset.
Letting New York City fade into the distance.