CHAPTER 92 - RED
CHAPTER
Red
“LAMBETH ARE GOING to take over some of the gun running deals for us,” I say. “Last night we agreed that, starting in January, they can broker their surrounding territories arrangements with the Irish.”
“Wait a minute,” Liam frowns. “Why?”
Arianna turns to Liam, confident in stance and voice. “Because we felt that the best course of action was to get a system in place to run down a percentage of facets of the business we work hands-on with.”
She glances at me, but she doesn’t need my permission to speak of what we discussed. Her ideas are good, and she knows it.
“We have so many firms and organizations clamoring for association with us, it’s impossible to do everything without cutting back on attention to detail, and that’s not something we want to happen.”
“The other thing is,” I add. “In a few months from now, Arianna will have no choice but to step down a little.” I place my hand protectively on her belly. “She can’t be expected to lurch from meeting to meeting, and neither will I let her.”
“Well, I think that sounds like a good plan.” Dario smiles. “It seems like you’ve got everything tied up now and sorted.”
I nod. It’s true. Everything is coming together perfectly. Arianna has shown herself to be a natural leader, and between us, we have the majority of power in the city.
I suddenly feel a stab somewhere deep inside me, wishing my parents could have been here to see how much we’ve achieved.
Arianna traces a hand over mine, which still rests on her belly, utilizing her innate ability to do the right thing at the right time without me uttering a word. Her gesture reminds me that in a few months from now, I’m going to be a father.
Some members of my family can no longer be here, but Arianna is, my brothers are, my friends and loyal comrades are, and my child will shortly join us. I have everything I need.
“Are you okay, Maria?” Arianna eyes her sister with concern. “You’re quiet this morning.”
“I’m fine,” Maria smiles. “Just tired, that’s all. There’s nothing wrong with me.”
I can’t help but notice Maria’s eyes flick to Liam. Is he still giving her grief? I hope not, because it looks like she’s here to stay, whether he likes it or not.
Which reminds me of something else...
“Dario, you’ve told me of your plans to move on in a couple of weeks. Is that still your aim?”
“Yes, but my contacts will still be on hand and ready to go should you ever require them,” Dario grins, his muscular frame virtually back to normal after his close call.
“Then how do you feel about staying around permanently?” I ask. “This was something else Arianna and I discussed last night, and we both feel it would be an asset who have you in the fold.”
“Plus, we both like you and would miss you if you left for pastures new,” Arianna adds.
I can’t help but smile at the slight coloring of Dario’s cheeks. He’s a good man in every way. “We don’t want to put you on the spot, so have a think about it and let me know what you decide, as and when.”
Oscar gets to his feet. “If we’ve covered everything, do you mind if I shoot off? I have a meeting with yet another potential arm of supply.”
“Just one last thing.” I pull an envelope out of my back pocket. This is something that no one knows about, including Arianna, and I hope it will be a nice surprise. Taking a handful of invitations out of the envelope, I hand them out.
“What is this?” Arianna gasps. “A party? We’re throwing a party?”
“We are indeed.” I scoop her out of her seat and wrap my arms around her. “We’re inviting representatives from all our organizations, firms and territories. And we’ll invite your parents.”
“What?” Liam chokes. “You’re inviting Emiliano Galvatore?”
“We’re soon to become a family.” I place my hand back on Arianna’s stomach. “And so we need to let bygones be bygones - as much as we can do, anyway.”
“When? When will this be?” Arianna looks at me, her eyes wide.
“Look on the invite.” I point to the date. “February. That will be past the three-month zone, which I know bothers you, so it will be a double celebration. Our success and our coming child.”