Chapter 34
It’s My Life
I stare into eyes the same as mine. They’re cold and detached, filled with hate I never thought I would see from my brother.
My own flesh and blood. But unfortunately, they are a direct reflection of my own.
I have learned a valuable lesson this year—family is what you make it, not what you were born into.
I have my family now, a bunch of bikers.
And I couldn’t be any more in love or any happier.
Thick unsettling tension fills the air of the boardroom. It’s almost suffocating, but there is something so satisfying about this very moment as well.
I cross one leg over the other, the fine fabric of my suit pants soft and luxurious against my skin, the jacket tailored just so, making me feel powerful in a way I really needed today, just like Sloane said it would.
I never wanted to return to Italy, but I have been waiting for this moment my whole life, I just didn’t realize it until recently.
The flight was totally worth it to see the look on my papa’s face when he realized I wasn’t the stupid little girl he brought me up to be.
I have learned a hell of a lot in the last six months and become someone I can be proud of, because instead of cowering to my family, I’m my own person, and she’s so much stronger than I ever could have imagined.
From the head of the table, Sloane gives me a smirk.
She despises Italy about as much as me, but she knows we are about to get everything we want and the trip will be worth it.
Today she’s in a white pant suit with her long hair in a high ponytail, and she looks so in control.
I wish I had a little more of her confidence, but I’m me, and I will deal with my family in my own way.
“I think you can see our offer is more than generous, given your current situation,” I say when neither my brother nor papa has uttered a single word after we laid it all on the table for them.
When the boys and I got back from our wedding, I looked into my family’s business, and turns out they were in desperate need of a huge cash injection or they would go under.
Thanks, Leone, for giving me the tip-off on that little nugget.
My papa signs the contract, throws his pen down, then stands and storms from the room, his chair flying back and clattering to the parquet floor, the slam of the heavy door vibrating through the boardroom at Moretti Media Italy as he leaves.
There’s a finality to it that should sting.
I will probably never see him again, but I know that’s for the best. I was nothing but a trading tool for him, and now I get to show him just what that feels like.
Asher takes my hand under the table, running his finger over my wedding band.
It’s a strange gesture, but a silent “I’ve got your back, princess” comes with it, and I love that.
We haven’t been married for long, but he’s been so supportive of me in this whole process.
Truth is, they all have. Both Jagger and Cruz came to Italy with us, even though I know they have shit of their own going on.
They put me first, and I’m starting to see they always did, even if they had a funny way of showing it.
Dante leans over the table, his eyes narrowing in on me in a way that would have sent a shiver down my spine in the past, but now it has no effect. I glare back at him just as intensely. “You’re starting a fucking war, little sister,” he seethes, his voice so dark it’s deadly.
I sigh heavily, letting his hate wash over me like it’s nothing.
“You can try and blame me for your unfortunate situation all you like, Dante, but we both know it was not me who got our family business in so much trouble. Perhaps you should have been more careful who you were aligning yourself with.” From what we could see, Leone was siphoning money from my family company for years.
His relationship with my late husband was closer than anyone including my brother guessed, leaving my family in quite a predicament.
“We have all made our choices, there’s no time for regrets now.
Maybe take this as an opportunity and the very generous payout to reinvent yourself.
You can be anyone you want to be, more of a choice than you were willing to give me. ”
He flinches as I say the last part. “You know your offer is bullshit.” His voice is low, like he’s trying to keep our conversation private, even though there are five of us in the room. Asher, Sloane, Alex Moretti, as well as us.
“My offer is fair, considering how much trouble your company is in.”
His eyes glance over Sloane then land back on me. “Smugness doesn’t suit you, Daisy.”
I huff out a laugh. “Don’t be bitter, Dante, you should be proud.
I’m the product of my upbringing, much like you are.
Media has always been in my blood, and now you get to watch me flourish.
You always wanted me to achieve big things with my life, isn’t that what you used to say?
Don’t worry, I will take great care in looking after the company you and Papa built.
” Great care breaking down every fucking part of it and turning it into part of Moretti Media to expand our business.
And I will take pleasure in enjoying every single step of the way.
They fucked my life up, and now I get the revenge I always wanted.
Funny how the anger eating away at me has vanished.
His glare narrows, but he knows as well as I do, he has no choice but to sign the contract Sloane and I have drawn up for him, absorbing my family company into our own.
He signs the contract and shoves his chair back.
“Watch your back, Daisy. You might be a Stryker now, but it doesn’t mean I won’t come for you. ”
My smile widens as I stand, tilting my head so I can meet his deathly gaze. “I’ll be waiting for you when you do, brother,” I growl back, sounding every bit like the Stryker I now am. Has he forgotten what happened last time he came for me? Surely not.
His scowl deepens then he turns and storms out of the room. My heart races like crazy, adrenaline dancing through me. Did I really just put my brother in his place? I never imagined how damn good that would feel.
Asher lifts me into his arms and spins me round. “I’m so fucking proud of you, princess.”
“Asher.” I slap his back playfully. “We’re in a meeting,” I remind him, knowing Alex Moretti doesn’t need to see our carrying on. He came to show his support, but this is a bit much in front of him.
Asher sets me down on the ground with a stupid grin that tells me he doesn’t really care where we are or who’s watching us.
I take my seat back at the table, more satisfied than I have been in so long. Collecting up the signed papers, I hand them to Sloane, trying to play it cool.
“Bet that felt good.” She grins at me.
“Shouldn’t have underestimated me.” I smirk back.
“Well, I guess it’s official, the next generation of Morettis and Strykers are about to show them all how it’s done.
I look forward to seeing what you two make of your business and working closely with you.
Congratulations, girls.” Alex’s deep voice resonates through the room before he stands from his spot at the table.
He takes my hand and offers a firm handshake.
“Thank you.” I beam back at him. He still scares me a little, but I think his heart is in the right place, and I’m grateful for his help. I have also now met his girl Harley, and the two of us are becoming fast friends. Just another awesome part of my new life in Ravens Hollow.
“Asher, Sloane, you will have to excuse me, I have a flight to catch, with sleepless nights awaiting me and a new club to run.” He nods in their direction.
“Congratulations, Alex. Tell my girl Harley I’ll be home to visit my little twins in a couple of days,” Sloane calls back to him.
“Will do.” With a smile I don’t think I have ever seen from him, he turns and leaves us alone, off to join his family and his new babies.
“What did he mean a new club to run? I didn’t know Alex bought some new place,” I ask the others. It feels like a dig that I should know something about.
Asher rolls his lips, a flash of guilt in his pretty eyes.
My eyes narrow, and my hands fly to my hips. “Don’t keep shit from me,” I warn him.
Sloane stands, coming around to us. She leans into the table, a slight cheeky grin on her face. “Probably time one of you told her,” she snips, a hand coming to her waist as she gives her brother that look that says “us girls will always stick together.”
“Told me what, Ash?”
He runs a hand through his hair, looking between us with a guilty-as-hell expression. “Jagger didn’t want to make a big deal about it.”
The look on his face gives me a horrible sinking feeling. He doesn’t have to say what Jagger did, I already know. “The deal he made with Alex for me,” I gasp, hoping to God it’s not true.
He takes my hand in his. “He would have done anything for you, princess. We all would. The Precinct was just a club.”
“Don’t go underselling it, Asher, we all know that place was his life before Daisy came along, and now, she’s his life. Jagger finally grew the fuck up, and I for one love this new side of my big brother. He should be boasting about it.”
I cover my chest, immediate guilt eating at me. “He didn’t have to… he shouldn’t have.” Tears well in my eyes. Today was emotional enough, but knowing the sacrifice he made for me is too much.
“See, Sloane, this is why we didn’t tell her, now she feels bad.” Asher pulls me closer, trying to comfort me as I try not to cry.
“I would do it again in a heartbeat, to keep you safe and living the life you want, flower,” comes Jagger’s voice from behind us.
I turn to see him and Cruz approaching. They had left us earlier, saying they had some business to do while I had my meeting.
Very cryptic, but I let it slide because I was focused on what I needed to do today.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, my head dropping. There is no way I can ever make it up to him.
His arms wrap around me, and he pulls me into his chest. “Don’t be.
It was time to let go of my past anyway.
That club had more bad memories than good ones.
Spending time with you helped me to see it for what it was.
” He kisses my hair. “Alex just gave me the push I needed to open space for something new.”
“Something new?” I ask, not sure what he’s going on about.
“I have a few ideas in the pipeline; some clubs Romeo wants a little collaboration on within Italy, for starters.”
And now his meetings today make more sense.
He pulls me into him, squeezing my ass as he kisses me. “Stop overthinking it. I will tell you all my grand plans when there’s something to tell.”
“You better,” I mutter back, letting him hold me close.
“You guys coming back to the villa for celebration drinks? Romeo and Orlando are already back there ready to party.” Sloane does a little shimmy like she’s ready to go.
I glance at the boys. They know how badly I don’t want to be in this country. “Sorry, sis, we’ll have to take a rain check. Got to get my princess back home,” Asher says.
She wraps her arms around me. “You did good today, girl. Look how far you’ve come from the anxious girl I met here last year.”
I laugh, knowing she’s not wrong. “Thanks for everything you’ve done to help me. I’ll be eternally grateful.”
“Maybe just keep my brothers in check for me, takes the load off my hands.” She chuckles as she flicks Asher in the forehead and slaps Cruz on the arm playfully then leaves us.
I suck in a full breath and glance up at Jagger, feeling so lucky to have stumbled upon him and his brothers. They’ve changed my life in so many wonderful ways. “Take me home.”
Jagger picks me up by the waist and deposits me onto the table, his lips hovering just above mine. Cruz walks to the door and flicks the lock. And Asher moves into my side, his hand lacing into my hair.
“We have half an hour before we have to leave for the airport.” Jagger’s lips drop to mine, and he kisses me savagely, his legs pushing in between mine.
“We need to celebrate. I’m sure Sloane won’t mind.” Asher chuckles from my side, his laughter going right through me.
“Asher Stryker, I know what you have in mind. You’re a dirty man.”
His laugh vibrates through the room as he places kisses down my neck. Cruz comes to join us, that dark look of desire igniting in his eyes that tells me I’m in for one hell of a celebration.
My cheeks flush with heat, I can feel it radiating off me, and as much as I know we shouldn’t be messing around here, I can’t resist them. Today I took control back of my life, and I’m on a high like never before. We need to celebrate.