Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Angel
The women move to the back of the plane, clustering around Promise. She’s holding hands with her aunt, leaning over Candy as she comforts Chloe, Killian’s wife.
I know that Rush threw his support at me at me with Don today, and all of a sudden, I realize why. It’s because of Promise. The questions they wanted answers for were posed to her.
She looks perfectly at home in their circle of wives, her beauty and natural warmth shining so bright.
Rush clears his throat, and I turn to him. “Can’t take your eyes off her.”
I scrub at my jaw. “I suppose not.”
“Like the dress?”
“I suppose so.” I’m not used to telling other men my softer feelings and I don’t relish it now.
But he only chuckles. “I can’t decide if Gigi looks better in a pencil skirt, an evening gown, or yoga pants. She makes all of them look good.”
“Know what the best outfit is?” Mason interjects. “A maternity outfit.”
Knox rolls his shoulders like this entire thing is making him more uncomfortable than Sunday mass.
But the other men laugh. “Charlotte is pregnant,” Mason volunteers. “And there is nothing like the idea of a child, in addition to a wife, to make a man want to bend the whole world to his will.”
I nod without thinking and not because I’m placating. “Their protection is your purpose. And the conquering is not for your own satisfaction but to meet their needs.”
Knox looks at me like I’ve lost my fucking mind.
But Mason and Rush both rumble in knowing agreement. “See?” Mason pushes Rush’s arm. “I told you he understood. Told you he was ready.”
“Wait.” Knox leans forward. “Are you partnering with us because my brother is getting married?”
“Married men are stable, balanced, and motivated,” Rush answers. “Best work is always done when it’s not just your pride at stake, but the well-being of people you love. And a woman…”
It’s like he read my thoughts this morning. And I share the words out loud now. “She’s too weak to fight like that on her own. She needs you to be her soldier.” Something that my brother Gunner understood before I did.
I should have told him that I understood. That he was right. Shit.
It’s a mistake I’ll correct later.
“But in this case, your marital status wasn’t the only determining factor to making you a partner.”
“Partner?”
“In Vegas, I’ve been working with Gigi’s cousin, Matteo Andriani. He came to us with very few assets, but he understands our values on work and family. We’ve provided him with a great deal of assets that has moved him into a high earner. In exchange, he helps us when the jobs are…”
“Dirtier,” Knox finishes, sitting back in his seat. “Finally, a part of this conversation I understand.”
I laugh and so do Mason and Rush as Rush turns to my brother. “You’re a public figure. You should keep your dirty work to a minimum. And honestly, Axel’s and your careers are an asset as well. It makes all of you an easier fit into the world you’re about to enter.”
“And Rock?” I ask. Not because I’m cutting my brother out. This only works if there is a place for him. “He is a non-negotiable as far as we are concerned.”
Rush waves his hand. “I appreciate you being a man of principle who makes his points clear. But as it stands, we think Rock and Killian are going to get along very well.”
“Killian could use a kindred spirit,” Mason nods.
Knox shakes his head. “I’m not sure they are kindred. I can’t picture Rock ever being a doting husband.”
Mason and Rush exchange a knowing glance in a way that tells me that they’ve thought a great deal about us, who we are as men, and what we might provide.
“What other factors made you want to partner with us?” I ask, knowing that I need all the information before I agree to anything. My negotiation with Don was less than satisfactory and it’s a mistake I won’t make again.
Mason and Rush look at each other, shifting in a way that lets me know the truth. They want something I’m not going to like.
It rings with a familiarity that has my molars grinding.
Rush clears his throat. “Not only does marrying a woman like Promise help with your legitimacy, but she also…” He pauses, running a hand over his perfectly coifed hair. He’s nervous…
And I know this because he’s right about one thing. Promise is elevating me in every way. I narrow my gaze, letting him know he’d better tread carefully.
For the first time since I met Rush, I see the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. He’s the youngest Smith brother but he makes up for it by being one of the hardest men I’ve ever met.
“What?” I finally ask into the silence that has stretched far too long.
“She has knowledge. Secrets—”
“No.”
Knox looks at me, his nostrils flaring. “Angel.”
I know that my brothers have questioned my motives. And they were right to push back on my earlier plans, because my priorities were not properly aligned. I see it.
But this is not that. I am not making selfish moves to elevate myself.
What is important in this moment is perfectly clear. And these men will respect me protecting my woman above all else.
Mason smiles at me, his shoulders dropping as he relaxes.
“Of course you don’t want your wife in the position of being targeted.
Understandable. But perhaps if she could just help us with a bit of information on her father…
He’s holding up several contracts, and eliminating him from the political playing field would really help—”
“Yes.”
But this isn’t from me, it’s from Promise, who rises from her seat and moves over to the group of men.
I stand too, scowling. “Promise, this is not a job that you should be taking on.”
She shakes her head. “I’ve told you twice now. I’ll be content to die tomorrow if I know I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.”
“You’re not going anywhere and it’s starting to piss me off that you aren’t more motivated to live.”
She smiles at me, her hand coming to my chest. “How about I help them, and then you keep me safe?”
I cup her chin, leaning my forehead against hers. What is it about her being in a wedding dress that has taken my red-hot desire and turned it into something much gentler.
I think…
I think I’m falling in love with her. “I will keep you safe either way, and I’ll fuck your father up too. With or without anyone’s help.”
Her fingers slide down the buttons of my tuxedo shirt. “I’ve no doubt.”
“Axel already found out that Don likes to party in Vincent Morelli’s club. As soon as we’re on the ground, I’ll text him and see what he knows.”
“My father’s future lieutenant governor frequents a whorehouse in Harlem. Hookers and blow are his passions of choice,” Promise adds. Then she looks at me. “And as soon as I start speaking publicly, everyone who dished in front of me is going to get cagey. I’m in danger either way.”
Fuck. She’s right.
“We might as well use the information to position you in a place of power for everyone’s protection.”
Knox gives a soft snort and then he eyes me with one eyebrow up. I know that he’s beginning to understand Promise’s value. And the danger too…
I pull my woman close, whispering in her ear. “Keep the rest of your secrets for now, love.”
She nods into my shoulder before she returns to the women.
The rest of the flight is much more cordial as we discuss the development of the waterfront and the adjacent parcel they are going to allow me to develop exclusively.
It’s a much better deal than Don ever offered me, and I feel the rightness of this path. I’m going to make millions, perhaps even more, and I’m going to give Promise the kind of life she deserves.
And my brothers. They will be able to live life however they choose.
Knox leans over to me. “I’m sorry I doubted you.”
But I shake my head. “You were right to doubt. But I’m on the right path now. And soon we’ll be on the other side of all of this.” Which is mostly true.
I just need to move Donald Winthrop out of my fucking way.