Page 117 of Blood in the Water

“My brothers, I need to know right now if you have any issues with Leona being here. The more she’s here, the more it puts us at risk. If we wish to harbor her until we know her next move, we must agree.”

“Yes,” Wynn said with a nod. “At least until she tells us what she wants.”

“She has nowhere else to go now,” Ciel added.

“Ryu?”

Ryuji stood silently until he gave a slight nod. I knew what happened in his past that made him the way he was. He was just as stubborn as she seemed to be, and it would take time for him to process his complicated emotions.

“It is agreed then. She can stay here until she’s determined her next steps.”

The chess pieces were moving, but if she looked deep enough, she could realize that now was her true time to shine.

If I had played my moves right, this would only be the beginning.

41

LEONA

Irubbed my eyes as I quietly snuck out of the guest room, leaving Cas still sleeping on the bed. At some point in the night, I’d passed out, and now it was early in the morning. But he needed rest, and I needed to get moving.

I was determined to fix all the shit my father ruined, to create a new future for me and Cas.

So far, my father’s files had only served to reconfirm his business dealings. The Vero Family owned an extensive portfolio of construction businesses and other supporting industries. Most of it was legitimate, contributing a huge chunk of money to our Family coffers every month. Max ran most of this side of the business before he murdered my father, but by now, he had to be in complete control of everything—including our Family’s funds.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted control over the catalog of businesses my father owned, but I needed money. Technically, I still held the majority share as Luciano Vero’s living successor. My father had never officially declared who would take over after his death, nor had he updated any will, likely because he planned to pass everything on to my one-day husband. But since that hadn’t happened, it was mine, and my first order of business was to access everything I possibly could. Max had taken overmy funds, but I’d get them back, hopefully with Ciel’s help. If he wouldn’t help me, I’d find another way.

Besides the construction company portfolios, my father’s files had been generally unhelpful. No other indication of why he did what he did.

However, there was one section of the files that was password protected. Nothing I tried worked, not even my mother’s name, which was my father’s usual password. Ciel, hopefully, could help me break through it, too. Whatever my father was trying to hide might be there.

I padded down the hallway, doing my best to remain quiet. At 5:56 am, Ciel was likely asleep. I figured Ryuji would be, too, but honestly, I had no idea what that man was ever up to. Wynn might be down in the gym, but we’d all been up way too late last night, so he might be sleeping, too.

Distracted by a yawn that pinched my eyes closed, I didn’t notice the brilliant specimen of a man leaning over the kitchen counter with a cup of coffee and a newspaper spread out in front of him until I filled a glass of water from the Brita.

When I caught his eye, watching me with what I thought to be amusement, I almost dropped the glass. All the breath in my lungswhooshedout.

He was tall, taller than Cas and Ryuji, with a broad expanse of a chest, thick biceps peeking out from a short-sleeved polo shirt, and dark skin that drank in the morning light shining through the penthouse windows. A tight, well-groomed beard covered his jaw and tapered into his trim haircut. I couldn’t make out the exact color of his dark eyes, but they seemed to suck me in like I was caught in a whirlpool.

Lazily, confidently, he took a slow sip from his mug, eyes locked on me the entire time.

“Leona.” His voice was deep and resonant.

I swallowed, mouth suddenly dry. “You must be Obi.”

He nodded, lifting his mug slightly. “It is good to see you safe. How are you doing?”

The kind nature of his words took me slightly off guard because this man wasimposing. Not just physically large, but every fiber of his being oozed command and strength. No wonder he was the leader of the Shadows. He emanated confident power.

“I’m fine, thank you.” I shifted on my feet, downing the glass of water and placing it on the counter in front of me as he stood there and watched me calmly. How had I not realized how comfortable I had started to feel in this house? It wasn’t mine, and I needed to remember that.

I still had debts to resolve with the Shadows, and until then, I couldn’t assume they’d still help me.

“And how is Caspian? Doing well, I hope?” The more he spoke, the more a slight accent surfaced.

I nodded. “He’s sleeping.”

“But you are not.” He glanced at the luxury watch on his wrist. I recognized the timepiece as a watch that kept track of times all over the globe. I knew it because I wanted to buy one for Max for Christmas last year, but there was a waitlist, and I couldn’t get it in time.