Page 98 of Intense (Beneath The Blaze #3)

FINN

Two weeks later…

T he room falls silent as I lead Stephanie into the meeting chamber at Inferno.

My hand is linked with hers, and we take our seats beside Declan and Charlotte.

Conan plants himself to Stephanie’s left, Drago is on the other side of Charlotte.

At the far end of the table sit Reggie and Rowan—because today concerns them most of all.

I nod toward Theo and his brothers, a curt greeting. Enzo is beside them, an unlit cigarette between his fingers. At the end of the day, whatever decisions are made here will rest on Enzo’s final call.

I know what my brothers want. I know what my future with Stephanie looks like. Now we just need the nod.

“Well, London was a shit show.” My voice cuts the silence.

Theo exhales, tugging at his collar. “We had no idea we were dealing with a ghost. Everyone believed James was dead. I’m sorry.”

I understand his point; none of us had a clue James was alive, pulling the strings from a grave.

“It’s done with now,” Declan snaps, cutting him off before sparks can fly. “What matters is how we move forward with this alliance.”

The truth is, with the war on the horizon here, we need Theo’s men with us.

“We’ve spoken to our elders,” Theo says. “We still want it. We have permission to agree to terms today.”

I glance toward the twins. I’m not sure how much Declan has filled them in, but they’ll find out soon enough. Old school. A vow of loyalty.

“Then here’s the deal. Your sister, Bella, will marry Reggie. She moves here, marries him, becomes one of us. Once that’s done, we begin working together.”

Theo looks to his brothers. Kane coughs. Ryder grins like this might actually be a relief.

“You clearly haven’t met our sister,” Ryder smirks.

“This might be the best thing for her,” Kane says. “She needs the real world.”

“I’ll deal with her,” Reggie cuts in, his voice deeper than usual.

Rowan frowns. “Why do you get to?—”

Reggie silences him with a stare sharp enough to cut glass. “You’ve had enough shit to deal with recently. You’re still recovering. Let me take this one.”

Rowan opens his mouth, but Reggie raises his brows.

“I’m the eldest. It’s my duty. I’ll marry Bella.”

The words sound like poison on his tongue, but he doesn’t flinch.

“We’ll make it happen,” Theo agrees, though unease shadows his voice.

I’ve got a funny feeling Reggie has no idea what storm is about to land in his lap.

“And Arthur?” I ask. “Keeping quiet, I assume?”

After Conan went ten rounds on him, my brother let him walk, well only just. Even Conan knows sometimes death is too easy. Conan hasn’t lost his spark. No. He saw that Arthur saved me, and even my beast of a brother has a fucking heart.

We will never, ever, forgive Arthur. But, it’s not his time to die. He’s earned a few more years to survive. Or maybe months, who knows.

Theo nods. “We’ve got eyes on him. Man can’t take a shit without us knowing. Not that he can physically move much right now.”

I chuckle darkly. “Good.”

“So. A union through marriage. Old school.” I smirk.

Theo returns it. “Yeah. But it’s not the elders I’m worried about, Finn.”

I shrug. Their sister will adjust. Maybe she’ll even like her grumpy new husband.

Declan rises, offering Theo his hand. They shake, sealing the deal.

“This is also a good time to tell you—we’re going after The Preacher,” Declan announces.

Theo blinks. “As in… the cult?”

Kane and Ryder exchange confused looks. Drago shifts in his seat; I need to know more about his past. I like him. He’s a great asset. But he has secrets that are buried in Russia.

“I thought that was all bullshit,” Theo mutters.

“It’s real,” Declan says flatly. “They’re spreading into new territories. Inferno might’ve been on their list. That’s not who we are. Not what we stand for. They already tried to have Finn locked up and blackmailed Stephanie.”

Stephanie’s hand squeezes mine under the table. Forgiveness is one thing that came easy with her. But I still enjoy punishing her for that slip.

“What the fuck,” Theo mutters again.

“So, we’ll need men. Intelligence.” Declan glances at Ryder.

“Ex-army,” Theo says, pointing at his brother. “He’ll help.”

“Whatever you need,” Ryder agrees. “We’re in.”

Rowan clears his throat. All eyes snap to him. “So, uh… what about our Decadence Games?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Not here, Rowan.”

Stephanie straightens her spine beside me, that spark in her eye lighting me up inside. I grin. She knows what’s coming.

“Decadence Games?” Theo frowns.

“It’s Inferno business,” Declan says. “We’ll explain another day.”

Theo shrugs. “Alright. I’ll be in touch soon about the wedding.”

Once they leave, Enzo leans forward,a grin curling his lips. “Out with it, Dr. Quinn.”

I nod at the twins. Declan catches it. “Reg, Rowan—bar.”

They leave, bickering as they do and I chuckle. Enzo lights his cigarette.

“Let me guess. The Trials are done?”

“Wrong.” I smirk.

“Oh?”

I glance at my wife. She beams, though nerves flash across her face. I squeeze her hand. She deserves this seat at my side.

“We’ll keep the Trials,” she says, her voice steady. “But we’re changing the rules. Husbands or families still sign up the women… But the women never step inside. We put the men who entered them into the Trials there instead. And help the women from the outside.”

Enzo raises a brow. “And the winner?”

“There isn’t one,” I answer.

“They’ll believe there’s a chance. That’s enough,” Stephanie finishes.

I can’t hide my pride. Whiskey and strategy, nights spent with her planning this out. My perfect partner.

“And you’ll both host?” Enzo asks.

“Yes,” I say. “It’s the twenty-first century. Women kill too.”

Enzo chuckles. “Fair enough. We’ll iron out the logistics.”

Stephanie shivers when I lean in, lips brushing her ear. “Good girl. You did perfectly.”

Enzo exhales smoke. “Think Rowan’s ready to host on his own without Reggie?”

“He’ll manage,” I answer. “Reggie will be busy. And Rowan needs something to keep himself entertained.”

Conan cracks his knuckles. “Bella’s marrying the wrong twin. Reggie’ll take this too seriously. Rowan would’ve been better.”

I glance at Drago, who’s been silent. “Or maybe Drago should marry her.”

His face is a picture of horror. Charlotte bursts into laughter.

“He’d terrify the poor girl,” she says. “And he’s double her age.”

I wonder what Drago’s real thoughts are. He, to me, seems like a guy who already has his heart set on someone.

I grin. “Then it’s settled. Reggie is the choice.”

I press a kiss to Stephanie’s temple.

“Speaking of weddings. One month from today.”

Declan and Charlotte smile.

“I’d like to invite you all to wedding number two.”

Conan smirks. “About time. Can’t believe we missed the first one.”

“Did you forget to send our invites to your Vegas wedding?” I shoot back.

He raises his hands. “Fair. Continue.”

I wouldn’t have it any other way. My brothers. My wife. My family. And the fact they accept her as theirs too? That’s everything.

I’ll die a happy man. Having everything I never knew I needed.

Well, minus one thing.

But I’m sure that will be coming soon.