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I should kill him for the betrayal, though. For even thinking about going against me. That's what any other man in my position would do, thinking that will exude their power and make sure everyone knows to never cross them.

But I don't work like that.

Like I said, I understand where Adrian was coming from.

If I was in his shoes, I can't say I'd do anything differently.

When he arrives at my home office the next morning, I can tell something in him has shifted. The other piece of information John passed along was that Adrian confessed his love for Madi, the two having a deep moment in the art studio. It seems my cousin has come a long way from detesting her arranged husband to falling head over heels for him.

I have no intention of hurting her any further, but it's obvious that Adrian thinks today will be his last day on earth.

"Morning," I greet as the lawyer enters my office.

His throat bobs on a swallow. "Good morning."

"Sit." I gesture to the seat across from my desk. "So I was right. You were out for vengeance, if what John tells me is true."

"It is." He nods.

"You wanted to take down the whole family for what Big Al did to your father." It's not a question as much as a statement.

"Yes," he admits.

“I can’t blame you,” I say, leaning forward and setting my mug on his desk. “I think I would have killed us all with my bare hands if someone murdered my father. Actually, I did do that.”

Adrian blinks. “I take that as confirmation that Damien is dead.”

I smile and wink at him. “I stand by what I said before. Big Al shouldn’t have done that. If your father had worked for mine,he’d still be alive right now. But I can’t change the past; all I can do is work on the present.” I pause briefly, letting the words sink in. “So, you love my cousin, then?”

With his eyes on mine, he nods once more. “Very much so.”

“And you would have saved her yesterday if she didn’t do it herself, huh?”

He chuckles. “I should have known she’d be too stubborn for my help.”

“That sounds like Madi.” I can’t help but laugh. “She’s been like that since she was a kid. Maybe it’s because she’s the youngest. But she’s always been too stubborn for her own good. So you know, I have no intention of making her a widow.”

The lawyer's eyes widen, shock etched across his features. “Are you saying…”

“All’s forgiven, Adrian.” I wave a hand, metaphorically clearing the past and creating a blank slate for the future.

“I—” Adrian stutters, but I interject before he can form a complete sentence.

“I want you to work for me, though. You’re a damn good lawyer, and I also have no intention of wasting your skills. I’m not like my uncle, Adrian. I don’t go around killing for sport, especially not my own men. If you work for me, you’ll be an advisor. A consigliere. I can keep you on the legal side of things, if you’d prefer. But I think you and I could do great work together if you’re willing to be at my side.”

This is the other reason I won't end his life in retribution. It would be a waste of talent. A skill set I need more than ever, now that this family war has killed so many.

“So it’s done, then?” he asks, inhaling a deep breath. “This war?”

I nod, but a flicker of big doe eyes and brown hair running away from me flashes through my mind. “Almost. I have one loose end from last night to wrap up. After that, it’s over.”

“A loose end?” Adrian questions, his eyebrow ticked up. He knows as well as I do that a loose end after you just killed someone means trouble.

“A witness. Don’t worry, it's under control."

Adrian nods, but I can see the concern in his eyes. If there's a witness to a murder, it’s his problem, after all, considering the new position I just bestowed upon him.

“Okay.” He extends his hand for me to shake. “I’m in.”