37. Valentino

37

VALENTINO

W atching the interplay between Lucien and my father was so interesting I almost forgot to be afraid of the outcome of our discussion. It was obvious Lucien held great respect for my father, but he wasn’t going to simply agree to his demands without question. He took his position of power very seriously. He was the ultimate authority for the family and the decision had to be his. But simply knowing I had my father’s support and that he was here to argue for what I’d asked made me more certain than I’d ever been that my father truly cared about me.

Lucien glared at my father. “So you’re suggesting I arrange a meeting with the head of the O’Keefes and inform them we wish to make an alliance.”

“I don’t think you need to be that direct,” Dom said. “I’m asking you to inform them that we have offered protection to a member of their family who has been in hiding during the power exchange. Tell them a member of our family intends to marry him and you hope that will further good relations between our families.”

“And if they demand we hand Liam over?”

My father went very still, and I held my breath waiting for his response. “That’s not an option. The O’Keefes did nothing to help Liam when his father was killed. They have no claim over him. We are doing them a service by letting them know that he is under our protection.”

Lucien nodded. “I’m happy to keep things friendly between us as they have been, but I will be informing them of their neglect of Liam. We do not ask favors of the O’Keefes. I will not compromise our standing over this.”

“I would not ask that,” my father said.

Lucien rose from his desk and walked over to the long window where he could look out on the courtyard behind his family’s townhome. I took the chance to glance behind me at Lucien’s brother Angelo and our cousin Devil. They were watching him, clearly assessing what he was thinking. The three of them were very close, and I had no doubt that if we angered Lucien, the two of them would be on us in a moment.

Our odds against them were not good.

As the silence grew longer, the air seemed to press down on me. I wasn’t going to give in without a fight. if I lost everything over this, then so be it. I would fight to the death to protect Liam.

When Lucien turned back to the room, his gaze landed on me. “I’m ready to hear from you, Valentino. Tell me why I should go to so much trouble for this young man who owes us. Why does he deserve my help?”

“I love him.” For just a moment, Lucien’s eyes widened. He recovered quickly, returning his expression to neutrality. I shouldn’t have told him before I said the words to Liam. I needed to tell him as soon as I could.

“Do you love him or are you obsessed with him?”

Devil made a sound like he was suppressing a laugh. Lucien scowled at him. “That’s enough.”

From what I understood, Lucien had been wildly obsessed with his boyfriend, Peter, when they’d first met. He’d fallen fast and hard. I was counting on him remembering how that felt and thinking what it would be like if Peter was in danger and needed protection.

“At first, I thought it was just obsession, just a desire to possess, but then I realized it was more than that. I would die for him.”

Lucien didn’t speak. He just studied me, clearly assessing what I said.

Angelo cleared his throat, and Lucien turned to him. “Do you think you’re in charge here?”

“You know Val’s telling the truth. You can hear it in his voice. We’ve all been there.”

Lucien glared at his brother before turning back to me. “Let’s go see the O’Keefes.”

“Now?” Lucien’s glare let me know it wasn’t my place to question him.

Devil spoke next. “Are we just going to show up with no invitation?” He sounded eager rather than disapproving.

“There’s no reason to give them warning.” Lucien said. “Valentino, you will come with us. Dominic, I know you would prefer to stay behind.”

My father nodded. “Yes, thank you for understanding.”

“Why expose our family’s most mysterious weapon when we can keep everyone guessing?”

My father gave him a rare smile.

“We need a good showing of numbers,” Lucien continued. “Vito and Tony can accompany us as well.”

I didn’t like that plan. “Sir, Tony is with Liam now. I don’t want to leave him alone.”

“I’ll look after Liam,” my father said.

I froze. The last thing I wanted to do was subject Liam to my father without me there as a go-between.

“I’m certain one of the guards could?—”

“I said I would take care of it.” My father’s tone made it clear I was not to argue. All I could do was pray Liam would still want to be with me after the encounter. I knew my father wouldn’t hurt him physically, but emotionally, I couldn’t be sure.