Page 148 of Blood in the Water

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m not, but thank you. I’ve done so many terrible things, and this is the only way to redeem myself. If I can make a difference, it will all be worth it.”

I lifted myself to my elbow so I could cup his cheek. “You saved me. In more ways than one.”

He leaned into my touch and kissed the skin of my wrist. “You’ve saved us all, Leona.”

I smiled softly and laid my head back on his chest. I had no idea I’d end up here when Max ruined everything that night, but I was truly glad for the journey.

I’d do everything in my power to safeguard this new family I’d found. I’d fight to the fucking death and beyond. Tomorrow was just the beginning.

52

LEONA

Istuffed a knife in each boot and strapped my Hellcat to my thigh over my jeans, not even trying to hide it. Next, I slipped one of Wynn’s brass knuckles into the front pocket of my leather jacket. The weapon gave me an edge, even though I was most likely physically weaker than my opponents. He’d spent the last few training sessions teaching me how to use it, hold it, and aim so it didn’t break my hand.

I was ready.

The mirror near the front door caught my eye. Tonight, I’d done my makeup as an almost exact match to the makeup I wore the night of my birthday party. A sharp cat eye and a deep red lip. Except this time, instead of heels and a dress, I’d chosen my boots and clothes I could fight in.

Despite how much had happened, it was weird to think how much more likemyselfI felt looking at myself in this mirror. I’d found an inner strength. I’d grown capable. I was fucking proud of myself and how far I’d come.

The whole day, I’d been going over the plan in my head, and here we were, getting ready to leave, and all the nerves were rising to the surface.

I was about to face Max again. This time, things would be different.

“Fucking gorgeous.” Cas appeared in the mirror’s reflection, warmth and pride radiating from his face. He rested a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Are you ready, princess?”

I reached up and squeezed his hand. “I’m ready.”

“You know I don’t like the idea of you being bait, but I also know you’re too damn stubborn for me to change your mind.” He ran his hand through his hair and looked away. He’d let the stubble grow out a little more, and I reached up to cup his chin and bring his lips down to mine.

“You love me for it, though,” I whispered after I broke the kiss.

He dipped his forehead against mine. “Mhmm. I really do.”

“How are you feeling? Are you good for this?”

“I’m totally fine,” he huffed. “Itching for a fucking fight, actually. Ryuji’s so annoying I constantly want to punch him in the face, so I’m honestly overdue.”

“I heard that, dick,” Ryuji called from down the hallway in his room.

I laughed and rested my hand on Cas’s arm. Willow had removed the sling, and he’d been able to do some light physical therapy exercises, but his knee was still in rough shape. He wasn’t ready to be on the front lines tonight. It had taken some convincing to get him to agree to stay with Ciel, but I couldn’t risk him again.

“I’ll be fine, princess,” he said softly. “It’ll kill me not to be beside you, but there’s no way I’m sitting this out completely.”

“We’ll be back here, drinking that champagne before you know it. Max won’t know what hit him.”

“I’m so damn proud of you.” His thumb traced along the edge of my jaw. “You know that, right?”

I swallowed, trying to keep the little pricks of tears at bay. Hearing him say it made me warm from the inside out. I couldn’t say anything, so I pulled him back to me for another kiss.

“The fun is supposed to happenafterwe crash this party,” Ryuji said as he walked down the hallway, with almost every spare inch of his skin strapped with knives and guns. My eyes flared with heat, and he winked when he caught the way I stared.

I grinned. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

He stepped close and leaned over so his nose touched mine. “Oh, I can keep that promise, Leona dear. It’sinevitable.”

I swear, my entire body flushed in an instant. He smirked and pulled away. “Everyone ready?”