CHAPTER 85 - RED
CHAPTER
Red
One Week Later...
“THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD. We now have confirmation of Southwark, Elephant and Castle, as well as Lambeth’s support.” I grin around the room.
My happiness over Arianna’s pregnancy hasn’t waned. It continues to grow, as does my love for her. It won’t be long before her belly does likewise and becomes rounded with my child.
“I can also confirm that my contacts are on standby,” Dario adds. “As promised, they’ll be available whenever you need them.”
I nod my thanks to Dario as he leans against the desk, sometimes forgetting he still has a way to go before he’s fully healed. “Do you want to sit down, mate? You should be taking it easy.”
“Fuck that!” Dario rolls his eyes. “I have been taking it easy. I’ve been sitting or lying down more this past ten days than I’ve done since I learned to walk, so no, I don’t want a chair.”
Arianna joins in the conversation. “From my side, the men at Galvatore headquarters are fully briefed, and I’m satisfied they’re on board and will do what’s needed when the time comes.”
“If the time comes,” Liam pipes up. “There’s been no word of Luca. No sightings, no nothing. The same applies to the Eredità della Luce. I reckon they’ve fucked off and the threat of war is gone.”
I frown. “I assume nothing, but what I do know is that whatever happens, there will be no war. We’re too strong now, and everyone knows it.” I’m unable to stop my hand from moving to rest on Arianna’s belly.
Arianna shuffles uncomfortably. “Red...”
Yeah, I know that she doesn’t want to tell anyone yet. Something about getting past the safe stage, but if she thinks I’m waiting weeks before shouting it from the rooftops, then she’s mistaken. I’m too bloody happy to keep it to myself for much longer.
“There’s also been another two requests in for supply this morning,” Cal grins. “London is falling over themselves to ingratiate with our business. That’s ten new customers in two days alone.”
“Sign them up! We’ll happily supply everyone.” We’re well on our way to being the most powerful firm in London, and that pleases me greatly.
“Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we send Maria?” Liam snorts. “With her newfound prowess in shooting, I’m sure she can handle brokering a gun deal.”
“Yeah, all right, Liam. Very funny, but that’s not going to happen.” Even Liam’s constant snotty digs about Maria can’t dampen my good mood.
Regardless of his general dislike for her, the woman has continued improving, and the hour of training a day I’ve given her this past week has made her capable of holding her own with a gun.
The same can’t be said of her ability to withstand interrogation or think on her feet, but you can’t have everything.
That she can now protect herself with a weapon is a weight off Arianna’s mind and therefore a weight off mine.
The less Arianna is stressed, the better I feel.
I want nothing impeding her health or the safety of my child.
“The only thing now outstanding is my father’s allies,” Arianna says, resentment in her voice. “I’ve called a further meeting with them this afternoon to sort it out.”
I watch my beautiful wife; her confidence and spark now renewed.
“I made a dreadful job of dealing with them last time,” she continues, “but that won’t happen again, I can assure you.”
I squeeze Arianna’s shoulder, sure my pride glows around me like a halo. My other hand resumes its place back around her waist.
“Red...” Arianna smiles self-consciously at the others in the room while gently nudging my hand away from her stomach. I hadn’t realized I was stroking her belly.
Oscar eyes us with interest. “Is there something you’re failing to include us in?”
I glance at Arianna, but even the slight shake of her head can’t stop me. “Well... in a few months from now...”
“Red! We agreed not to say anything!”
Liam’s eyes swivel to Arianna. “You’re pregnant?”
“She is indeed.” My chest swells with pride. I probably look like a rooster, but I don’t give a toss. I am proud - proud of my wife and over the moon with the prospect of becoming a father.
“Congratulations, man!” Dario is the first to slap me on the back, shake my hand and kiss Arianna on the cheek. Cal and Oscar follow the ritual.
Arianna flushes with embarrassment. “He wasn’t supposed to mention anything yet.”
“You know my brother,” Oscar laughs. “Not great at being told what to do.”
I return the laugh good-naturedly, but also aware that Liam has said nothing. “So how about it, ‘Uncle Liam’?” I joke, digging my brother in the ribs.
“Yeah, good news.” His smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’m just wondering how much having this Achilles heel weakens our position and raises the probability of us being a target.”
The room goes silent; the temperature plummeting to sub-zero as my brother single-handedly ruins the moment for everyone.
Arianna’s tensing only inflames my temper. “There is no ‘Achilles heel’ and nothing will ‘make us more of a target’, as you put it, Liam.”
Arianna rests her hand on my arm. “Red, don’t. There’s no need. I’m sure Liam didn’t mean anything by what he said.”
Is she? Because I’m not. I’m convinced Liam meant every word purely to take the shine out of our news. I glare at my brother, more convinced than ever that he just can’t bear anyone to have a shred of a life away from the business.
Liam holds his hands up in belated apology. “I meant no offence.”
I glower, my anger alight and burning. Liam’s half-baked apology makes no difference. He’s made a point and, in doing so, planted that seed of worry back in Arianna’s mind.
“Oh, and while I remember.” Liam fishes an envelope from his pocket. “This came for you this morning.”
I snatch the envelope out of Liam’s hand, wanting to get out of here before I lose my temper with him. “I’ll look at it later. We need to get to this meeting.”