Chapter 152 - Bonds forged with fire

Bonds Forged in Fire

Lawrence

"Why now?" I demanded, facing James across my desk. "After years of tense peace between the families, what drives Kemp to provoke open war?"

James' expression was grim. "I wish I knew. But we must put aside suspicions to unravel his motives together."

I scowled, reluctance warring with pragmatism. Each day brought new threats to Stella's safety. My lone efforts to shield her proved woefully inadequate.

"Very well," I bit out. "For her sake, we combine resources until Kemp is eliminated."

James nodded. "We'll need help from men we trust absolutely. Lucas and Simon for you. Grant and Shane for me."

"Agreed. But this stays between us for now. The weaker Kemp believes our alliance, the more freely he will maneuver."

We hammered out logistics and strategy late into the night. Uneasy truce held for Stella's sake, but old grudges simmered beneath the surface.

When Grant and Shane arrived, I bristled under forced courtesy. Sizing up my potential weaknesses a