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Stepping forward, I place a hand on Tarian’s shoulder before saying, “You say that now—”

“I’ll say that always,” he sneers adamantly. “You should understand what it’s like to lose a parent.” His words aren’t meant to hurt, but they do. Even though both my folks are alive, they may as well be dead. That’s how the three of us made it through our teens, we found our family in each other.

Ares’s mother was murdered, Tarian’s mother and father died, and my parents were absent. We only had each other then, and we only have each other now. But we also gained family—Rukaiya and Dahlia are both part of us now.

“What’s going on with you and Grecia?” I ask, suddenly recalling the pretty brunette that’s been hanging around. Her father was Abner’s best friend. That is until Abner was arrested. The Elders all walked away, keeping their heads down as the stories swirled in the local press.

“Nothing.”

Tarian doesn’t look up as he responds. Instead, he pulls out a pack of smokes and taps one out, but I notice it’s not a cigarette, it’s a joint. He places it between his lips and flicks his lighter, burning the end until the cherry burns bright.

“Don’t bullshit us, Tar,” Ares chuckles, crossing his arms in front of his chest as he watches Tarian. “She’s been hanging around you like a lost puppy.”

“She wants a friend. I told her she can have at it. I don’t do relationships, you’re both all loved up, I don’t need that in my life.” He pulls deeply on the smoke before handing it to me. His eyes close, the blue disappearing behind his lids, as he leans his head back and savors the flavor of the joint.

Once my lungs are full, I hand it to Ares who takes a long pull. “And you think telling her you don’t do relationships has sunk in? I mean… I don’t think she’s a quitter, Tar. You may have a clinger.” Ares laughs out loud as he takes another drag before handing the joint back to Tarian.

“It’s fucking bullshit, man,” Tar shakes his head. The weed taking hold of us as we share the smoke around until there’s nothing left.

“You’re telling me you wouldn’t hit that if she offered it to you no strings attached?” I question, shocked that Tarian is so adamant about this girl. He’s no manwhore, but he’s had his fair share of girls at school.

“I didn’t say that. What I did say was that I’m not looking for some happily ever after, and she is. Now, are we going to get this shit done?” He grabs the folder, shoving a pen into his jeans pocket, and turns for the door, leaving us staring after his retreating form.

The moment he disappears from sight, I turn to Ares who looks amused. “I think he may be in denial,” he tells me as he rounds the desk and follows me out into the hallway. Tarian’s already outside by the time we reach the front door.

It doesn’t take long for us to all slip into Tarian’s black Jeep, and the engine roars to life. I pray that Rukaiya doesn’t wake up until I’m back. I want to return with good news, something I can tell her that will make her smile.

“If he does anything to fuck this up,” I tell both men, “I’ll slice him limb to limb.”

Ares glances at me in the rearview mirror before nodding. “I’m with you on that. I need to know what the fuck he’s set up with the societies in Europe, and I know he’s still working for my father.” That’s what worries me. Even though Abner is behind bars, he’s still a threat.

“You know, I reckon he’s also working with Thane. No matter how much he may hate my uncle, I have a feeling they’re trying to do something that could bring down the whole Sovereign.”

“Why would they bring down the one thing they want?” I ask, confused at Tarian’s logic, because, to me, it doesn’t make sense.

Blue eyes glance in the mirror before landing back on the road. “Because if they bring down the leadership that’s seated now, they can rebuild. They can create a society that will only obey them. And if that happens, I’m sure what we’ve managed to fix over the past few months will crumble.”

The moment he says it, I realize he’s right. Thane wants a seat, so does Fergus. Once we get a confession from the asshole, we should kill him. If we release him, he’ll only continue what he started.

“What about Billy?” I ask, looking at Ares. He’s been friends with the older man for most of his life, and I wonder if we can find any more answers there.

“I haven’t spoken to him in a while. Perhaps it’s time I pay him a visit.” Ares’s voice is low, there’s menace that laces each word, and I’m worried he’s going to step into the ring again.