Page 136 of Unveil

Sol’s jaw drops, “Are you kidding me? After everything you’ve put my daughter through?—”

“Shh,” I cut them off as she stirs, then lower my voice. “Look, I get it. But it took me making all the wrong decisions to realize they should’ve been hers to make all along.”

Sol grumbles, “And if she makes the ‘wrong decision’? At least, according to you?”

“I’ll wait for her.” I shrug. “You heard King. She’s it for me. I know how she feels too. But no matter what she decides, I’ll still protect her.”

“That’s sweet,” King says dryly, the man who would’ve preached that same sentiment six years ago nowhere in sight. “But feelings are irrelevant now. Solomon, you’ve seen what my boys can do. They came in to save you?—”

“From a messyourfamily created,” Sol says. “This is your war.”

King wags his finger. “Except the Wildes know she’s killed one of theirs. According to you both, she helped dispatch more than one at the church, not to mention her role in what they’re now calling the Lost Cove massacre. You and your son are now targets as well. The Matriarch let Luna off easy with a marriage proposal. Next time, she’ll want revenge, and so will her boys.”

The unscarred part of Sol’s face tightens. “It was a mutual fight. They took their lumps and ran scared. It’s over. That’s how it works.”

We all shake our heads slightly as King answers. “That’s not how it works here. With a feud that started centuries ago, life for life and blood for blood are the only ways we keep score anymore. You’re all on the board now, like it or not, and theywillcollect. Unless we push back. Without your help, you and your loved ones are more in danger than ever.”

Sol growls low, “But they’re the ones that started this.”

“Technically… I started this round. With my wife.” King’s posture, usually so strong, suddenly sags with defeat. Dash and Hatch’s ears perk up as he continues, “She was a Wilde, and I took her.”

“What?” Dash and Hatch whisper-shout, somehow remembering not to wake Luna.

“I’ll explain more later,” King mutters.

But Sol and I don’t react. A reaction in itself.

“Ah.” King’s lips purse. “So Bossie told you.” He hesitates. “Did she say anything else?

My eyes narrow. “Like…?”

He watches me for a second, then shifts on his feet, face resetting to neutral.

“Bossie has a tendency to tell Jack Tales,” he says, referring to our tall tales and fables. “Best to take anything she says with a grain of salt.”

“But the part about you stealing her daughter away? That was true?” Sol crosses his arms. “Seems to be business as usual backstage for the Furys, all things considered.”

“I didn’tstealher. I fell in love,” King narrows his eyes. “I acknowledge my part in this feud, but I won’t apologize for it.” His gaze slides from me to the woman sleeping in my arms. “Surely by now you understand the lengths men will go to for love.”

“Even start a war,” I whisper.

He’s right. I can’t fault him. Not only did I love my mother, the woman he risked everything for, I started a war for Luna too. And as far as I’ve heard, that’s Sol’s story as well, first with his wife, then again when he refused to follow the pact, and lastly by protecting Luna from the Wildes.

Which is probably why Bordeaux doesn’t argue, only moving on with a gruff voice. “So what now, then?”

“A truce,” King answers. “Between the Furys and the Troisgarde.”

My brothers freeze, other than Hatch’s knee, bouncing quicker than a cottontail on the wood floor, like all his anxiety is ready to run off without him.

Sol shakes his head. “I cannot and will not speak for the McKennons and Lucianos. Lucy’s barely holding it together. She told her parents she refuses to leave her house until Luna is safe. With her history…” He winces. “This brought up a lot of… emotions for her.”

“What do you mean?” Hatch asks, an urgency in the question. I know that feeling too. It drove me crazy realizing there was something about Luna I didn’t know.

“It’s not my story to tell. But all I can say is while my family is getting dragged onto the board, the McKennons and Lucianos may hold out. I don’t blame them for wanting to keep their daughters as far away from this as they can get. They already disagree with me for even considering an alliance with you after everything you’ve put me through.” He sighs. “Ultimately, what you’re asking for will threaten the Troisgarde, not strengthen it.”

“But it’s not a choice anymore, we have to work together.” Hatch hunches forward, resting his elbows on his knees, hands clenched around his phone as he locks eyes with Sol. “You saw how they treated Luna. And her friend?”

“Don’t bring Benoit into this,” Sol snaps. “He gave his life for my daughter. I won’t have him be used as a manipulation tactic.”