Better In Your Arms (Parisian Mafia 2#)

21

Chapter 21: An Uneasy Calm

The days following the attack on the Stuart estate were filled with a tense calm. Repairs were underway, but the emotional weight of the recent battle hung in the air. Lawrence was constantly on edge, despite the temporary retreat of the Halverson forces. It was a calm before the storm, and everyone in the Stuart family knew it.

Amari had taken on a critical role, working closely with the estate staff to ensure that defenses were being rebuilt stronger than before. Her strategic mind was sharp, and Lawrence admired the way she took charge, but he also worried about the toll the constant pressure was taking on her.

Late one evening, Lawrence found her in the war room, poring over maps and reports. The soft light from the desk lamp highlighted the exhaustion in her face, but she kept working, determined to be prepared for the next assault.

"Amari," Lawrence said gently, walking up behind her and resting a hand on her shoulder. "You need to rest. You’ve been at this for hours."

She sighed, rubbing her eyes. "I can’t rest yet. There’s too much at stake. The Halversons might be regrouping, and we need to anticipate their next move."

He pulled up a chair beside her, sitting down and taking her hand. "We’re ready. We’ve strengthened our defenses, the men are prepared, and we’ll see any move they make. But you need to take care of yourself too. You can’t fight this war if you’re running on empty."

Amari looked at him, her eyes softening. "I just… I don’t want to lose this. I don’t want to lose you."

"You won’t," Lawrence assured her, his voice steady. "We’ll get through this, together. We always do."

She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of the past few weeks catching up with them. The war with the Halversons wasn’t just about power—it was personal now. The safety of their family, their future, hung in the balance.

"I wish things were different," Amari murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "That we didn’t have to fight like this, that we could just… live."

Lawrence kissed the top of her head, his heart heavy. "I know. But we’ll get there. We’ll have that peace, I promise you."

---

The following morning, Lawrence and Jaxon were in the courtyard overseeing the repairs when a messenger arrived with urgent news. Lawrence’s brow furrowed as he read the note—the Halversons were moving again, this time sending a representative to negotiate.

"They want to negotiate?" Jaxon asked, clearly skeptical.

"That’s what they’re saying," Lawrence replied, folding the note. "But I don’t trust it. Not after everything that’s happened."

Jaxon nodded. "Could be a trap. Or they’re stalling for time."

"Exactly. But we need to meet with them. If there’s even a chance of ending this without more bloodshed, we have to take it." Lawrence’s mind was already racing through possible scenarios. He didn’t believe the Halversons would offer anything without an ulterior motive, but he needed to see for himself what their next move was.

---

Amari was by Lawrence’s side as they arrived at the neutral meeting point, a grand estate just outside the city. It was an old Halverson property, once a symbol of their power, now a relic of past glory. The tension in the air was palpable as they entered the main hall, where a group of Halversons awaited them.

At the center of the group was Adrian Halverson, the heir to the family’s empire. He was tall, with sharp features and a cold, calculating gaze. Lawrence had dealt with Adrian before—he knew the man was ruthless, driven by power and pride.

"Lawrence Stuart," Adrian greeted with a thin smile as they approached. "It’s been too long."

"Not long enough," Lawrence replied coolly, taking his seat. "What’s this about, Adrian? You send an army to attack my family, and now you want to talk?"

Adrian’s smile didn’t waver. "War is a messy business. But I think we can both agree that it’s not in either of our best interests to continue this conflict. Too many resources wasted, too many lives lost."

Lawrence’s eyes narrowed. "So now you’re concerned about losses?"

"I’m concerned about victory," Adrian said, leaning forward. "We both know this fight could drag on for years, but at what cost? I propose a solution."

Amari’s gaze never left Adrian’s face, watching his every move. "And what would that solution be?" she asked, her tone sharp.

"A truce," Adrian replied smoothly. "We divide the territory, split the assets. We stop the bloodshed and coexist. Each family keeps what they’ve built."

Lawrence exchanged a glance with Amari before responding. "And what’s the catch?"

Adrian’s smile faded slightly. "The catch is simple. We avoid further conflict, but any breach of the truce will be met with swift retaliation. The Halversons won’t be pushed aside. You respect our boundaries, and we’ll respect yours."

The room was silent for a moment as Lawrence considered the proposal. On the surface, it sounded like a reasonable offer. But Lawrence knew better than to take anything at face value when it came to the Halversons.

"And why should we trust you?" Lawrence asked finally. "You’ve already shown that you’ll attack without warning."

Adrian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "You don’t have to trust me, Lawrence. But if we keep fighting, we’ll both lose more than we can afford. This is your chance to protect your family. Think about it."

---

The ride back to the Stuart estate was quiet, both Lawrence and Amari lost in thought. Adrian’s proposal lingered in the air between them, a tempting offer but one that came with too many unknowns.

"Do you think he’s serious?" Amari asked after a long silence.

Lawrence sighed, his hands tightening on the reins. "I think Adrian wants power, and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it. But he’s right about one thing—we can’t afford to keep fighting like this. We need to find a way to end it."

Amari nodded, but her expression remained troubled. "I just don’t trust him. There’s something off about the way he presented that offer. It feels like a trap."

"Maybe it is," Lawrence agreed. "But we have to be smarter than him. If there’s a way to use this truce to our advantage, we’ll find it."

Amari reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "Whatever happens, we’ll face it together."

Lawrence looked at her, his resolve strengthening. "Always."

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