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“Mm-hmm.” Catherine hums softly. “So…does this mean you’re going to keep it?”

That’s the most daunting question I’ve ever heard.

“I don’t know, honestly. But I don’t think it’s the kind of decision I can make on my own. I want to tell Roman before I tellanyone else. But after that…it’s not something I’ve ever thought about.”

“Weren’t you using protection?”

“No, but I’m on the pill so I just sort of relied on that.”

Catherine tuts gently, teasing, then she nods as we stop at the crosswalk. “God forbid the doctors give us something that actually works.”

“Maybe he’s just got some exceptionally strong swimmers.”

“Maybe,” Catherine laughs. “A full-on battle in your womb for first place. Well, whatever you decide to do, I’m here for you.”

“Thank you. I love you for it.”

“I know.”

“I just have so much else to think about too.” Crossing the road, we turn toward the park and fall into step. “My parents need to start getting along. Roman and I want to make this real, y’know? And it is a good thing, I just wish they would stop nipping at each other. They’ve always argued, but this is different.”

“Maybe it’s not.” She glances at me. “Maybe the years of arguing have built up and this is just the latest thing. You’ve always said your mom wasn’t always quite there, and your Dad is obsessed with profits and success over family.”

“It’s true. And I think it’s my fault.”

“How so?”

“Well, the last time he did anything for the family was when he gave up those routes to Santino as thanks for saving my life. That entire thing turned out to be a sham, and since then, he’s been this money- and power-obsessed tyrant.”

“Jasmine, that’s not your fault.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Hell no! You’re not to blame for Santino or your father. And you’ve worked hard to prove how good you are, so if anything,he’s the one to blame for growing so obsessed and forgetting what matters.”

“Maybe. I’ve tried to find time to talk to him about the Yakuza. After talking to Roman, I learned that they value loyalty but they also never forget. Undercutting them in this peace deal could bite us on the ass.”

“So you have a better idea?”

Birds flying home to their nests chirp overhead, a cyclist weaves around us on the path through the park and nearly collides with one of my guards, and a couple of children sprint past toward the ice cream truck pulling up into the parking lot.

“I do. I think. Basically, I want to meet their demands as a way of compensating them for all the death we’ve caused over the years. My father nearly obliterated them in the early years. Pissing them off further feels like a death sentence, but I think it’s a sacrifice we need to make, and should make given what we’ll gain when Roman and I marry.”

“It sounds generous,” Catherine murmurs. “I can’t pretend to understand all of that, but you do catch more flies with honey than shit.”

“Exactly. A good deal shows faith.” Once Roman and I marry, if the Yakuza are dealt with then the focus becomes helping Roman get revenge on his monster of a father. Our joined funds and forces will make us powerful enough to achieve my own goal, and dismantling Santino will give us both the assets needed to make us stronger.

By all accounts, this might be the best thing to happen to our families.

“Ice cream?” Catherine jerks her thumb toward the ice cream truck slowly getting swarmed with excited children.

“Sure,” I nod. “But only if I can get the entire bottle of raspberry sauce poured overeverything.”

“You’re disgusting,” Catherine laughs as she breaks into a light run toward the truck.

“Maybe,” I agree. “But at least it’ll taste good.”

After droppingCatherine off back home and making sure she’s safe, I head straight home while sending a few texts to Roman to make sure he’s okay. Being ordered back by his father was so abrupt, and knowing what that man can be like, I can’t imagine he was demanding him back for any good reason. I add an additional slightly saucy text about how much I’ll think about him during bathtime, say goodnight to my driver, and head inside.