Page 123 of Hook

I smile at her. “Thanks, princess.”

She gives me a long look, as if she’s still reluctant to leave, before turning around and sauntering out of my room.

Her ass swaying arouses me even though I’m in a shit ton of a pain and there’s no way in hell I can do anything about it. I groan as I rest my head back and shut my eyes, knowing that despite feeling terrible physically that I’ve never felt better emotionally. Gwendolyne loves me and that makes all of this worth it a thousand times over.

* * *

Two months later…

I sit opposite my arch nemesis, struggling to believe that we’re putting this into a legally binding agreement.

Not that legality means shit to either of us, but it makes it harder for him to go back on his word. Maybe Gwen was right. I sense that Piero does care for Tilly and he’s worried I’ll come after her. I will if he’s stupid enough to cross me.

“Surprised you survived, considering how much blood you lost,” Piero says, as his lawyer takes a seat next to him.

Jovani is also present, along with mine and his lawyer.

“I’m invincible,” I say simply, flexing my prosthetic hand. “Now let’s cut the bullshit chit chat and get to business.”

Piero’s jaw clenches. It kills him to sign on the dotted line of this agreement. I know him well enough to know this is a little too close to defeat. “Fine. My lawyers have gone over the paperwork and believe everything is in order.”

I nod. “Of course it is.”

Jovani clears his throat. “All that is left is for the three of us to sign it.”

My relationship with my father-in-law is an uneasy one. However, things have never been better for The Rogues in San Diego. Our power has increased with the merging into the Tesoro mafia. In my eyes we’ll always be The Rogues. A group of misfits who banded together and rivaled powerful mafia families.

“Jovani is right. So what do you say?”

Piero watches me for a few seconds, eyes narrowed. And then he pulls the contract in front of him and unfastens the lid on his pen. “I say, let’s get it over and done with.”

I smirk, knowing this is a huge win for me. Not only have I secured a ceasefire between our two cities, but I’ve also managed to secure the safety of Gwendolyne and my child. It’s been two months since I woke from the coma and now Gwen is four months pregnant.

“Excellent,” I say, taking the pen from Jovani and signing the contract. Piero follows suit and then Jovani signs the contract, too. I feel a sense of relief wash over me as I realize that this is over—at least for now. I wouldn’t say with complete certainty that Piero won’t go back on his word or the contract.

Piero stands and I do the same, eyeing him warily. “This doesn’t mean that we’re friends, Cillian,” he says, his tone icy.

“That’ll never fucking happen,” I reply, my voice calm. “I’d rather shoot myself in the balls than be friends with you. But at least it means we stay out of each other’s way.”

He snorts. “We’ll see about that.”

“You signed the agreement.”

His jaw works and he doesn’t say another word. Instead, he nods to his lawyer and marches out of the boardroom. My hatred toward him simmers deep within me at the mere sight of him. The end game was always him dead. It’s a miracle I didn’t claw his fucking eyes out. Kira hasn’t been avenged, but getting so close to losing my life and putting Gwendolyne in danger made me realize something.

Revenge won’t fill the hole in my heart. Only Gwendolyne and our unborn child can do that. I know if Kira could speak to me beyond the grave, she’d tell me to be happy.

I turn to Jovani. “Thanks for all your help, Jovani. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

His jaw is hard set, but he nods. “You’re family now, Cillian. We take care of our own.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “You could have killed me for snatching your daughter.”

“I could have,” he admits, shaking his head. “But she loves you and this arrangement works for both of us, doesn’t it?”

“Yes,” I say, nodding.

“Then that’s all there is to it. Gwen is outside. Let’s go and join her.” He walks out of the boardroom and I follow, to find Gwen in the waiting area.

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