“This is good,” she said as she looked over the pages that Mila had printed. “Really good.”
“It’s going to take work,” Mila said. “But we can untangle everything eventually. I’ve already started with the projects we have over in Petersville. I should be able to re-do the contract, though the sheriff won’t be happy he won’t be getting his take every month.”
“Leave him to me,” Darius said with a deadly edge in his voice.
“Darius!” Adrianna admonished.
“What?” he said. “This is the side of the business I truly understand.”
She knew it wouldn’t be easy to undo all of the illegal business The Family was into, but with time and work, she knew they could accomplish it. Frankie still agreed that it would be too risky to just shut everything down, as a vacuum of power would only mean that another organization would take The Family’s place. And, she vowed that when she was Alpha, she would never let that happen in her territory.
However, she now truly understood why Frankie decided to move her life to New York. Adrianna loved Darius so much, she couldn’t bear to be away from him. In the past week, he had to keep running back and forth between Barnsville and the compound, and the nights he spent away from her were torture. They still hadn’t decided what their living arrangements would be in the future, especially when the baby came, but she figured they could work it out.
“If that’s everything, then we will head back,” Darius said.
“For now.” Mila turned back to her screen. “But I’ll let you know if I find anything else significant.”
“Thanks, Mila,” she said. “Is there anything I can do for you? To say thank you?”
The other Lycan grinned. “If you could please bring some of your delicious tiramisu when you come back, that would be payment enough.”
“Will do.”
They said their goodbyes and left the office. When they got outside, Alexandru was waiting for them, several cars lined up behind Darius’s Dodge Charger.
“Is everyone ready?” Darius asked.
The enforcer nodded. “Yes.”
“Good.” Darius surveyed the other vehicles. “Have two vehicles in front of us at all times and the rest behind.”
“Cristian has already driven ahead to scout for any danger.”
“Is this all really necessary?” Adrianna asked. “We were fine on the way here. You already have two guys tailing us at all times.” She was still nervous about having bodyguards following her all the time, but they mostly kept their distance.
“I will not take any chances.” Darius’s jaw set into a firm, determined line. “Nothing will stop your ascension ceremony tonight.”
With Darius by her side, she was sure nothing would go wrong today. “All right, my mate,” she said. “I’m in your capable hands. Let’s go home.”
Darius surveyed the outside as he stood on the front porch of the old Victorian house.
“Everyone is in position,” Alexandru said as he climbed the steps. “No one will be able to enter or leave without us knowing it.”
“Thank you,” he paused, then added, “for everything.” There was no need to say the exact words. A silent understanding had passed between them, one that conveyed his gratitude for the older man’s support from the beginning.
Alexandru’s expression never changed. “I remained silent for so long because a good soldier only takes orders. I was grateful that your grandfather brought me here and gave me a better life, and that loyalty was transferred to your uncle. My only regret is that I didn’t speak up when I knew I should have.”
“You and me both. But I promise you, my friend, things will be changing.” And that was another promise he vowed to keep.
“I look forward to it. Now,” Alexandru said. “Is there anything else?”
“No, we are good.” As the older man descended the steps, he did think of something. “Wait.”
He turned back. “Yes?”
“There is a tray of tiramisu in the fridge.”
Alexandru cocked his head. “And?”
“Please bring it back to the compound with you and give it to Mila,” he said. “I was told it’s her favorite.”
His expression changed for a split-second, so fast Darius thought he missed that slight tilting of the corners of his mouth. Alexandru simply gave him a nod and then continued walking down the steps and into the darkness to take his position. Darius felt confident knowing his most trusted enforcer would be guarding the front of the house. They had gone over the security plans many times and had taken many precautions.
With the mages still a threat, Adrianna decided she would have a small ascension ceremony at home, surrounded by her entire family. It would not only be easier to secure, but she said she didn’t want a big celebration. So, the Lycan High Council agreed to hold it in New Jersey and to have a simpler ceremony without all the pomp and circumstance.
Satisfied that the outside was secure, he walked back into the warm, inviting, and crowded home. Normally, his wolf would have protested at being surrounded by so many Lycans in such a small space, but as soon as he saw Adrianna standing in the middle of the dining room, his animal calmed. She must have felt his eyes on her, because she stopped talking and turned her head to meet his gaze. The smile she flashed at him made the entire room brighten, bringing a lightness inside him he’d never felt before meeting her.
He made his way to his mate and slid an arm around her waist, his hand spanning her stomach. She leaned into him naturally, not even breaking her conversation with her sisters and cousins as he came up to her. It made his wolf incredibly proud and happy that she was carrying their pup. He would revel in the sight of her belly growing as she nourished their child with her body, and everyone would know she was his.
“And so, what do you think about introducing some new items to the
