Alle Kapitel von Forged In Fire: Kapitel 61 – Kapitel 70

JAMESONOne week in Italy, and I'd never seen Cat like this.The first seven days had been a revelation—watching her slowly shed the layers of vigilance and control she'd worn her entire life. We'd spent mornings in bed, afternoons exploring Tuscan villages, and evenings on the terrace with wine and cheese and the kind of conversation that made hours disappear.The food had been incredible. Fresh pasta made by the couple who managed the villa, local wines that tasted like sunshine, gelato that made Cat close her eyes and moan in a way that made me want to drag her back to bed immediately.The art had left her speechless. We'd spent an entire day in Florence, and I'd watched her stand in front of Michelangelo's David for twenty minutes, her expression one of pure wonder.And the lovemaking... God, the lovemaking.Every night. Sometimes twice. Once in the afternoon, when we'd come back from wine tasting and couldn't make it past the living room couch.But it was more than just the physi

JAMESONI woke before Cat, which was rare.The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, painting golden stripes across the white sheets. She was curled against me, her dark hair spilled across my chest, one hand resting over my heart.Our last day in Italy.The thought made something tighten in my chest—not quite sadness, but close. These two weeks had been perfect. No threats. No violence. No constant vigilance.Just us.I wanted one more day of that. One perfect day before we returned to Chicago and everything that waited for us there.I pressed a kiss to her hair, and she stirred, making a soft sound of protest."Morning," I murmured."Too early," she mumbled against my chest."It's almost nine.""Still too early." But she was already waking up, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin. "What time do we have to leave for the airport?""Not until tomorrow morning."Her eyes opened then, finding mine. "Tomorrow?""I may have extended our stay by one day." I smiled at her

CATARINAThree weeks.Three weeks of absolutely nothing happening, and I was losing my mind.I stood in front of our closet—our closet, because at some point my things had migrated from my wing to Jameson's without either of us discussing it—staring at rows of dresses I'd never wear and suits I'd never need.The charity gala invitation sat on the dresser behind me, embossed and elegant, requesting the pleasure of our company at some fundraiser for something I couldn't remember. Normally, I'd have ignored it. But Jameson had mentioned it might be good for us to be seen together, to remind Chicago that the Connelly-Vitale alliance was strong.Which meant I needed something to wear.My phone buzzed.Mama: Tesoro! I heard about the gala tonight. Let me take you shopping! We'll find you something perfect!I stared at the text, imagining my mother's idea of "perfect"—something with too many ruffles, probably in a shade of pink that would make me look like an angry prom queen.Me: Thank you,

JAMESONI found Cat in our bedroom three hours later, staring at her reflection in the full-length mirror.She'd changed into comfortable clothes—leggings and one of my t-shirts—and her hand rested absently on her still-flat stomach. The pregnancy tests were lined up on the bathroom counter like evidence at a crime scene.Five positive tests.We were having a baby."We should tell them tonight," I said from the doorway.She turned, her expression wary. "Tonight?""At dinner. I already texted Declan to invite everyone—Grandfather, your parents." I crossed the room and took her hands in mine. "We can't keep this a secret forever, and the longer we wait, the harder it gets.""I know." She sighed, her shoulders dropping. "I just... my mother is going to lose her mind.""Probably," I agreed, fighting a smile."She's going to scream. Literally scream. And then she's going to start planning everything, and she's going to want to take over, and—" Cat stopped, pressing her free hand to her for

JAMESONThe war room felt too quiet at 6 AM.I'd been up since five, reviewing reports from our legitimate operations and trying to focus on the future we were building. Construction contracts. Restaurant expansions. Real estate holdings.A sustainable empire for our child.The door opened, and Declan walked in, his expression grim."We have a problem," he said without preamble.I set down my coffee. "What kind of problem?""Russian kind." He dropped a folder on the table. "Intel came in overnight. Volkov's organization is regrouping. Word on the street is they're planning another move against us."Ice flooded my veins. "How credible is the intel?""Credible enough that Marco's hearing the same whispers from his sources." Declan leaned against the table. "They've been quiet since we took out their last operation, but apparently they've been rebuilding. Bringing in new soldiers. Making alliances."I rubbed my face, exhaustion and frustration warring in my chest. "Timing couldn't be wor