Page 135 of Blood in the Water

Leona and Caspian could be the glue that cements all of us together. They could answer all the logistic questions that so far limited me. With this mafia, we could grow into the kind of organization I’d dreamed of since the night my parents were killed.

But this would be a deep commitment for each of us.

Despite some of their reluctance, I saw how the three of my brothers felt about her. I knew what spark of emotion was developing in my own heart.

It didn’t feel like a gamble. It felt like an answer.

I grinned. “Call her back.”

A few minutes later, she stood before us again, waiting for the decision. To her credit, she hid her nervousness as well as possible, but it carried in her shoulders.

“We agree to your proposal with one addendum.” Her mouth opened a little in surprise, and her brow furrowed.

“What is it?”

“We’re in as long as this organization is an equal split between all six of us. Full profit sharing. Full ownership.” I watched her brain turn over the information. “This is something no criminal organization has ever done before. We’re forging a new path, and we think we should do it as a full unit. Are we in agreement?”

A smile broke over her beautiful face. She opened her mouth to reply, but Ciel spoke before she could.

“One more thing,” Ciel interjected. I looked at my quiet brother, confused. He cleared his throat and spoke quietly, yet clearly, like he’d been planning what to say. “You have a talentfor the work that I do. You’re naturally good with the electronics, your brain finds the patterns, and we work well together.” He wiped his hands on his jeans and swallowed. “I’d like to train you to work on the tech side with me.”

Leona’s face broke into a huge smile that had Ciel’s eyes going wide. “I’d love to, Ciel.”

Ciel grinned wide and proud, and a similar pride welled up inside of me. He’d spoken up, and she’d accepted.

Yes, she could be the glue we were missing. She made all of us better. “So then, is that a yes to everything?”

“Yes. Yes, I want this. Let’s do it.”

I grinned back at her and inclined my head. “It will be a pleasure doing business with you, Leona Vero.”

47

LEONA

“Fuck yes!” I laughed, a grin just about splitting my face open.

I did it! The Shadows had officially agreed to work with me!

Mirth was written across Obi’s face, and I beamed right back. I followed his advice and spent the last three days paying attention, listening, and asking questions to understand what the guys would want. And itworked.

It only took another second for the realization to set in.

Obi wanted me to succeed. From the very start, he wanted this.

I had tried to understand him and his goals, but I still couldn’t quite tell. I must have been relatively close, though, because he agreed. But what were the specifics? Would my promises to him later come back to bite me in the ass?

He didn’t seem like the kind of man who enjoyed being disappointed.

I didn’t have time to think before Wynn swept me off my feet in a huge hug and spun me around. I was still getting used to the more affectionate side of him, and I’d enjoyed our stolen touches and kissesverymuch over the last few days. Almost every timewe worked out in the gym, it ended in a make-out session against the mat, with me falling apart under his fingers.

When Wynn put me down, Ciel was right behind him with eyes intent on me. I didn’t hesitate. I pulled him into a big hug. He stiffened at first but relaxed into me, arms gently coming around my waist.

“Ciel, I’m seriously so excited. Teach me how to hack the Pentagon,” I joked as I broke the hug.

His ice-blue eyes crinkled at the edges. “It’s actually not that hard.”

Ryuji still sprawled on the couch like he didn’t have a care in the world. He’d been treating me less like I was a disease he couldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole since that afternoon in his room, but he still hesitated to show me what he felt.