Page 68 of Throne of Fire

“The Byrns and Callahans should help the Russos see where the future lies,” she finished.

And so tonight, Hannah has old man Byrne and the Russo patriarch eating out of her palm as they discuss horse racing, of all things. I hadn’t realized just how implanted they were in the races.

Russo’s son is paying a little too much attention to Hannah. I note his wife doesn’t like it either.

“Down, Ash,” Flint says next to me. “Killing Russo will set us back.”

My jaw clenches as one Russo steps too close. Before I can intervene, Hannah smoothly redirects the conversation to business, motioning to Phoenix who’s been schmoozing with Callahan.

“She’s good at this,” Jenna says as she stands with me as Blaise recounts how he infiltrated the Kean estate and killed Ronan.

“She was raised for this.”

I hear Lucy scoff. “Down, baby,” Flint says with a grin on his face.

“Surely, there’s more to life than being raised to be a hostess and a baby incubator.”

My head swivels to her. “What?”

“You have a baby,” Flint says, still amused by his wife.

But I’m suck on the baby incubator part. Is Hannah pregnant? Surely, she could be, but it’s too soon to know, right? Fucking hell.

“The point is, Hannah surely has interests beyond serving the men in her life.”

“She’s feisty, isn’t she?” Flint leans over and kisses his wife.

“Hannah has interests. Has she shown you her art?” I feel defensive, even as I know Lucy is right. Hannah’s world mostly revolves around me and the mission.

“I heard her teacher quit,” Jenna says.

“Why is that?” Flint glances at me.

“I tried to rip his arms out.”

Flint’s wide eyes tell me he wasn’t expecting that.

I shrug. “He was touching her. It’s making it hard to get her a new teacher, but I will.”

I continue to watch Hannah, struck by how naturally she handles these dangerous men. She knows exactly which buttons to push—pride, tradition, profit. The families that were hesitant to back us are starting to come around.

It's unsettling how good she is at this. The daughter of a mid-level boss shouldn't navigate these waters so skillfully. Yet here she is, building the alliance we need piece by piece.

"Your wife is quite remarkable," Phoenix murmurs, appearing at my shoulder. "The Donnellys called yesterday. They're in."

I nod, pride and unease warring in my chest. Hannah's accomplishing more with smiles and subtle manipulation than we managed with years of violence. She's giving us a real shot at taking down the Keans.

But her growing involvement puts her at greater risk. The more visible she becomes, the bigger a target she'll be. Still, I can't deny the hope blooming as I watch her work. For the first time in ten years, victory feels possible.

Hannah catches my eye across the room and gives me a subtle thumbs-up. I wink.

"You're different lately," Flint says, taking a sip of the aged whisky I bought just for this occasion. "Less brooding."

“Dare we say… happy?” Phoenix adds.

They’re not wrong, but I can’t have them thinking it changes anything. Because it can’t. “Just focused on the mission. Hannah's connections are paying off."

"Right. Nothing to do with Hannah herself." Flint butts my shoulder. "The fact that you actually smile now is purely coincidental."