Page 120 of Blackwood

I grunt.

“She’s in control. Always,” he adds. “We’ve got his Black Book so he works for us until she says otherwise.”

He jerks his chin toward Bella as she heads back toward us, Laing glued to her side like a damn shadow.

“She’s the boss,” Knox finishes. “You’d be smart to remember that.”

Bella stops in front of us, calm and composed like she’s not dragging a Triad kingpin around like a pet.

“Alright, boys,” she says, giving Laing a side glance. “There’s been a change of plans. Krolek’s not here.”

Knox snorts. “Lovely.”

“Same plan as before,” she says, cool and in command. “Tex, get into position.”

“On it,” Tex mutters. He’s already walking away with his sniper case slung over one shoulder like it’s a damn lunchbox. Guy moves like death on vacation.

Bella turns slightly, eyes scanning the rest of us. “Knox? Nate? Comms, cameras, medics and transport?”

Knox gives a quick nod. “Cameras up, audio clean. We’re golden.”

“Medical on standby,” Nate chimes in from the door of the van, checking something on a screen.

Bella nods. “Good.”

Then, just for a heartbeat, her eyes flick to me. I don’t miss it. A glance. Barely a second. But I feel it in my ribs. She turns back just as fast.

“Laing and I go in like planned. Happy couple of foster parents looking to buy and sell.”

Fucking happy couple my ass.

Laing steps in close and pulls her against him, one hand low on her back. “You got it, Iz.”

Iz? The fuck does this guy think he is?

Bella pulls away just enough to regain control. She doesn’t say anything but the message is clear.

Good girl.

“Alright, Tex, you hear me?” she says into the comms.

Tex must respond in the comms because she continues. “Okie dokie boys,” she says with a southern twang. “What’s the word of the day? Tex, it’s your turn to pick.”

Bella sighs. “I am abso-fucking-lutely not saying that.”

A few chuckles ripple through the group. Knox nearly chokes on air.

Laing of course, leans back with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. “What do you want it to be, Iz?”

If Mortal Kombat touches her one more time, the word of the day is going to be homicide.

“Let’s keep it simple,” Bella says, brushing Laing’s hand off her hip. “Something we can work into a lovely husband and wife conversation.”

Husband and wife. Gag.

“Baby,” I pipe up, voice loud and clear. “Don’t say husband and wife with this guy, it makes me want to puke.”

Laing turns to give me a look. All stoic and silent and full of that smug Triad patience bullshit.