Page 122 of Freeing Denver

“Where does Andrzej stand?” I ask.

“Wherever the power does,” Alistair says. “Alexei is firmly on side, though. And Dante has a soft spot for you.”

“Sabina?” I ask, hoping the Morelli sister still has some kind of loyalty.

“Silent.”

Fuck. That isn’t good. “I’ll call her,” I say, hoping that’ll make a damn difference. This world is sexist as fuck, and her brother will be pushing her out still.

“That’s all well and good, but there are a lot of families in the city who are turning against us. Massimo is promising them a lot, and at any point, they all could flip. Trusting Alexei or Dante totally would be foolish, too,” Alistair says. “We need a show of strength.”

Yes, we do. Colt and I discussed this at length after seeing Kitrick yesterday.

The betrayal still stings, and I don’t know how long it will take us to recover if the name Kitrick gave us is the right one.

But we’ll deal with it. We have no choice. And at the same time, we’ll make it clear that turning against the McEwans and the Harlands will get the families nowhere.

Two birds with one stone.

“We need a show of unity,” Colt lies smoothly. “We arrange a meeting with every family in New York.”

Taf blinks. “Every family? There’s no way they’ll all agree to that.”

“They will, because they’ll think they can turn the tables on us. It’s a rare opportunity to have Denver, Alistair, Ronan and me in one place. That’s enough to lure them in and talk to them.”

Alistair lets out a disbelieved laugh. “Talk to them? Colt, you’re good at this, but?—”

“That’s what we’re doing,” Colt interjects, and Alistair falls quiet. I reach out to take Colt’s hand, making it seem like simple reassurance, when really, I’m silently telling him to rein himself in. “We will all be there. So will they. We fix it.”

“And Ronan knows about this?” JJ asks.

I nod. “We spoke to him this morning. He agrees.”

Alistair’s attention is on me, that familiar angry, unsettled look in his eyes. I’m taking some kind of lead on this, and he doesn’t like it.

But then, he never has.

“Problem, Alistair?” I ask sweetly. Now Colt squeezes my hand. “Because the way I see it, we could visit each head of each family and convince them we’re strong, but in the time between those meetings, the Morellis will slither in and pour poison in their ear. If we have the attention of every head in one room at the same time, a decision is made, and we all walk away unscathed.”

Still, he watches me with reservation. “Fine. When? Where?”

“We’re working on a location, but we’ll have cars pick everyone up individually. I’m giving no one the address ahead of time. I’m not risking them planting anything,” Colt says. “But it will be in the next few days. After that, Denver and I are having a wedding.”

Lewis whoops. “Good, I’m pissed I missed the first one.”

I grin up at him. “Tuxedos and tequila. Except, no tequila for me.” I pout, and he pats my head.

“And then … you’re leaving?” Taf asks.

Colt nods. “Flights are booked for the next day.”

To England. One way.

No coming back.

My chest shudders as I breathe in. “Holly and Lewis will be coming with us, so this is the lead up to goodbye.” Colt squeezes my hand again before lifting it to his lips and kissing my knuckles.

Colt says, “Cain is organizing the meeting, then it’s all systems go. Any questions?” Everyone shakes their heads. “Good. Denver, wanna go for a walk with me?”