The days seemed to be passing by on a loop. Every day men were coming back to the estate with injuries caused by shootouts against Elijah's men. Eloise now knew what Jensen's plan had been and even though she knew he had declared war on Elijah, she never thought things would be as bad as they were, with lives lost and destroyed, all because of her.

Eloise was in Jensen's office with him, giving him a list of all the supplies she and Dr. Beaver were going to need if this was going to continue, when Jensen received a phone call that not even he was expecting. The look in his eyes and the expression on his face told her that this wasn't good.

- "What is it?" - She asked once he finished the call.

- "I'm expected in Dallas tomorrow for a meeting."

- "What aren't you telling me Jensen?"

- "Ellie…"

- "Just tell me."

- "Apparently, word got back to the other families in the state and they are now wanting a meeting with me and Elijah to try and resolve this."

- "Okay. What does that entail, exactly?"

- "Well, knowing Elijah, he'll most likely ask for the Claim to be lifted."

- "Do you think they will agree with him?" - Eloise asked, worried.

- "No. I don't think so. Especially since a few of them have already seen us together. The thing I don't know is how Elijah will react to it and what he might ask in exchange for leaving you alone."

- "You think he might use this as a way to get that business deal you refused?"

- "Either that or something else. I don't know and that's what has me somewhat worried. Ellie, no matter what, I won't unClaim you. That's not happening, no matter what he asks in return. You'll be safe, I promise."

- "Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if it wouldn't be easier to just give him what he wants."

- "Don't say that. You know what Elijah is capable of, you know his reputation."

- "I do, but every day more and more men are coming back injured, all because of me."

- "Ellie, you can ask any of my men if they would rather give you up to Elijah than have you stay safe, and the answer would be the same from all of them. They respect you and consider you one of them. They would rather die than see you at the hands of Elijah. You're family to them and they will all willingly give their lives for you. Not because of some Claim, but because you're family."

- "I get that, and you have no idea how much that means to me, but that doesn't change the fact that they are still getting hurt because of me and my stupid mouth."

- "Sweetheart, things will be okay. Hopefully, by the end of this meeting, I can end this war and no one else needs to get hurt. Well, except Elijah."

- "We'll see."

Eloise left the office, shaking her head, and wondering if this meeting was really gonna solve all their problems with Elijah, or just create new ones with the rest of the families. She knew this was something unusual, all the Dons together in one place, but she had had to see it coming. Afterall, they had turned Austin into a battlefield and that was bad for business. All Eloise could do was hope and pray that, by the end of this meeting, the war was over and no one else would die because of her.

The next morning, Eloise was standing in the foyer waiting for Jensen. She watched his men walk to the cars, guns in full display, and clearly ready to take down anyone who attempted anything against their boss. Eloise took a deep breath and wondered if this was going to be her life from now on.

She heard footsteps coming from behind her and turned to see Jensen walk over to her.

- "Is all of this necessary?"

- "A lot can happen between here and Dallas, sweetheart. I just want to make sure we're prepared."

- "Jared isn't going with you?"

- "No. He's still recovering and I don't want to delay his recovery. We need him back as soon as he's better."

- "Right."

- "Ellie, it's going to be okay. I'll be back before you know it."

- "Just promise me you'll be careful."

- "I promise."

It came out of nowhere. Jensen pulled her closer to him and suddenly his lips were on hers. She kissed him back, a sinking feeling in her stomach that this might be the only chance she would get to be in his arms like this. She had a bad feeling about the whole thing and it seemed that so did he.

Pulling away, Jensen rested his forehead against hers for a moment before kissing it and walking to his car. He took one last look at the woman that had stolen his heart and prayed that this wasn't going to be the last time he was going to see her.

The drive up to Dallas was painful. Jensen felt as if they couldn't get there fast enough. He just wanted this to be over so he could be back next to Eloise. He knew she would be safe back at the estate, he had left enough men behind to ensure that no one would harm her, but he still wished he was there as well.

He had decided against bringing her along. He knew that if she had, it would be a lot easier for Elijah to try something while they were on the road than back at the estate. Still, Jensen couldn't shake the dread that invaded his heart. He had to make sure that, no matter the outcome of this meeting, Eloise was safe.

A few hours later Jensen was sitting in a warehouse surrounded by the other Dons and their men. The only person missing was Elijah. Jensen wondered if Elijah was taking the opportunity to raid the estate and told DJ to call the estate and get a sitrep of what was going on.

As soon as DJ walked away, Elijah walked in and sat across from Jensen. Looking at the empty chair next to Jensen, Elijah looked back at him with anger in his expression. It was now clear to Jensen that he had been expecting to see Eloise there as well. Sending a smirk in his direction, Jensen turned towards the Don that was now commanding their attention.

- "Welcome everyone. I'd like to start by thanking everyone's presence here today. I know that a lot of you have come here from a great distance, so I thank you for your presence. I'd also like to thank Don Pileggi for allowing us to use one of his warehouses for this meeting." - Don Morgan spoke, Don Pileggi bowing his head at the acknowledgement. - "We all know why we are here. There's been an outright war between Don Ackles and Don Martinez. Now, while we usually stay out of this sort of situation, the truth is that it's getting out of control and it's only a matter of time before it spills to the surrounding Dons' territory. We'll listen to both sides and try to come to a more peaceful solution. Don Martinez, you have the word."

- "Thank you. The truth is that Don Ackles has prevented me from exercising my given right as a Don to punish someone that has disrespected me in front of my men. All I want is what I'm due. If Don Ackles gives me the woman that disrespected me, I'll tell my men to stand down immediately and there will be no more bloodshed. Simple as that."

- "Very well. Don Ackles, you have the word."

- "Thank you, Don Morgan. I'd also like to thank Don Pileggi for his hospitality and everyone else for their presence. Now, while it is true that I have prevented Don Martinez from punishing a woman who he felt disrespected by, what Don Martinez isn't telling you is three simple things."

"First, he disrespected her first and all she did was stand up for herself; second, and even though this isn't justification but a simple fact, she didn't know who he was; and third, and more importantly, I have a Claim over said woman and already had it before any of this happen. The only reason no one knew about it was because it was recent and she was somewhat wary about making it public just yet."

"Now I ask all of you. If it was someone that you have a Claim over, would you willingly give them up to another Don, especially one with the reputation of Don Martinez? Thank you."

- "Don Ackles makes a valid point. If this woman is Claimed, she is out of limits. That has been one of our oldest and more certain rules, and one that no one has ever even thought of breaking. Don Martinez, what would be a reasonable outcome here for you?" - Don Morgan asked.

- "The only thing I want is for Don Ackles to unClaim her and give her to me."

- "Don Ackles? Would that be something that you would agree to?"

- "No, absolutely not. There's a reason I never Claimed anyone before and why she is my first Claim. I will never unClaim her."

Jensen would never unClaim Eloise, not even if the other Dons were to ask him. He loved Eloise and would never allow anyone to hurt her, in any way, shape or form. He watched as Elijah pushed his chair back angrily and stormed out.

He looked around the room and saw the other Dons shaking their heads in disapprovement of his behavior. Jensen couldn't stop the thought that things were about to get a whole lot messier than they already were. He listened to Don Morgan warn him that if this war of theirs were to spill to another family's territory that he would have bigger problems than just Elijah. Jensen nodded, knowing damn well that he was right, but he would never betray Eloise like that.

The ride back to Austin was filled with phone calls, making plans to increase security around Eloise and on what the best way was to finish this war with Elijah without more men, or Eloise, getting hurt. Jensen knew that every man under his command would go to hell and back to make sure that Eloise was safe, and he was sure that they would all meet down there one day, but for right now, they will fight until the very last man to keep the woman he loves safe.