"No, Jace," Liam said simply, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. The man beside him froze mid-step. Liam caught Leo's tiny fists in one of his hands, effortlessly stopping the wild punches. He barely flinched, as if my brother's fury was nothing more than a passing breeze.
I pushed Lily toward Savannah, who wrapped a protective arm around her, then stepped forward, my heart slamming against my ribs. I had to get Leo away from him. New York and Chicago might have called a truce, but alliances were fragile. One wrong move, one sign of weakness, and everything could shatter. Liam and his men were still the enemy.
"What a warm welcome we get. That's the infamous hospitality of the Carters," the man beside Liam said with a smirk. His black hair was cropped shorter than Liam's, his eyes a darker shade of gray. Though not as broad, he carried the same air of danger. The resemblance was unmistakable.
"Rafael," Liam warned in a voice so low it sent a shiver down my spine. His grip on Leo remained firm, keeping the furious five-year-old at arm's length as if he weighed nothing.
"Leo," I said sharply, reaching for him. "Enough. That's not how we treat guests."
Leo froze, his little chest rising and falling with angry breaths. He turned his glare on me, his blue eyes shining with defiance. "He's not a guest. He's here to take you away, Emily!"
Rafael chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest. "This is too good. I'm glad Father convinced me to come."
"Ordered you," Liam corrected, though his eyes never left mine. My throat tightened under his scrutiny. My father had rarely allowed Savannah, Lily, or me around men—except those old enough to be our grandfathers. Liam was neither. He was only five years older, but he looked like a man, a dangerous one. He carried himself like someone who commanded fear, and standing before him, I felt impossibly small.
Liam finally released Leo. I wasted no time pulling him into my arms, feeling his tiny heart pounding against my chest. My fingers curled protectively around his back. He didn't stop glaring at Liam. I envied his courage, but he was a boy—heir to my father's legacy. He would never be forced to obey someone else's will the way I was.
"I'm sorry," I forced the words out, my lips dry. "My brother didn't mean to be disrespectful."
"I did!" Leo shouted.
I clamped a hand over his mouth, holding him tighter as he wriggled in protest.
"Don't apologize," Savannah interjected, her voice edged with defiance. I shot her a warning look, but she ignored me. "It's not our fault they take up so much space in the hallway. At least Leo is honest. Everyone else acts like they need to kiss his ass just because he's going to be Capo—"
"Savannah!" My voice cracked like a whip through the corridor.
Her lips snapped shut, her blue eyes widening in shock.
"Take Lily and Leo to their rooms. Now."
"But—"
"Now."
Savannah clenched her jaw but obeyed, grabbing Leo's hand and pulling Lily along. Their footsteps echoed down the hallway, fading into silence.
I was alone with three men who could destroy my family with a single command. My first meeting with my future husband could not have gone worse.
Bracing myself, I turned back to them. I expected anger, maybe a warning, but instead, Liam's lips curled at the corners, something resembling amusement flickering in his eyes. My stomach twisted into knots. Mother would lose her mind if she knew I'd met him like this—no perfect dress, no carefully styled hair, nothing to make me look like the perfect, obedient bride. I was in a simple maxi dress, the soft fabric clinging to my frame, my golden hair cascading in loose waves. It wasn't enough to shield me from Liam's gaze.
I crossed my arms, gripping the fabric as if it could act as armor. "I apologize for my sister and brother. They are—" I hesitated, searching for a word that wouldn't sound like an insult.
"Protective of you," Liam said, his voice measured, unreadable.
I nodded, though I wasn't sure if it was agreement or just an excuse to look away.
"This is my brother, Rafael," Liam continued, motioning toward him. Rafael's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking over me with interest. "And this is my right hand, Jace."
Jace gave the briefest nod, his eyes sweeping the corridor with quiet calculation. What was he looking for? Assassins lurking in the shadows? Hidden threats?
My hands trembled slightly against my dress, but I lifted my chin. "I should go to my siblings."
Liam tilted his head, studying me as if he could peel away my defenses layer by layer. "Of course."
Something in his expression told me he saw straight through me, that he knew I wanted nothing more than to flee. But I didn't care. He wasn't my husband yet, and until that moment came, I was still free to turn my back on him.
So I did.
I walked away, forcing myself to keep a steady pace, ignoring the heat that prickled my skin under his gaze. I didn't let myself run, but every step felt like walking deeper into the unknown.
The problem with the unknown? It always found a way to catch up to you.
And Liam Romano was waiting.