Page 101 of Caught in the Crossfire

Despite our numerous run-ins and my strange reluctance to killing him, I was nowhere near close to actually trusting him. I fully believed he was making moves against us. To not be doing the same would be foolish.

New York was ours. Not his. I intended to remind him of that every chance we got.

“Kostya would probably be interested if we shared the spoils with him,” Ryu said, leaning back in his chair. “We have an alliance with the Russians; we should use it as much as we can.”

I nodded. “The more firepower we can use, the better. We’ll split everything we get with him.”

“I’ll let him know.”

I shifted to Obi. “How is Felix doing? Is the alternative transport route working? Does he need more guns?”

I’d had my nose down in VCI business for what felt like weeks, learning the ropes on how we move our construction materials across the nation. We needed to know that Anton Felix could keep up, and that our supply from the Chinese guns was still strong.

“Felix just sent me an update,” he answered. “Everything we’ve arranged has arrived without issue, and he’s pushing product faster than he expected. We should expect some fairly large payments to our accounts shortly.”

He set his phone on the table and folded his arms across his chest with a pensive look.

“What is it?” I asked.

His dark eyes bored into mine. “He seems quite…taken with you.”

I snorted into my wine glass while the attitude around the table went instantly cold.

“I’ll slit his throat,” Ryu said.

“Who the fuck does he think he is?” Cas interjected at the same time.

Even Ciel and Wynn were suddenly glowering at the table. And they still hadn’t looked at one another.

“Guys, come on,” I said with a laugh. “What do you mean, Obi?”

“He has requested to visit New York multiple times. He said he’s been spreading your name to every person interested in buying our guns, and he wants to tell you about it in person. He thinks you’ll be pleased with his work.”

“Absolutely fucking not,” Cas practically growled.

I laughed for real that time as the strange response to our employee finally clicked. “Jealous? You guys are jealous?”

“I said I’ll kill him, and I meant it.” Ryu crossed his arms over his chest and didn’t elaborate further.

“I suggest video calls only,” Ciel spoke up. “There’s no need for an in-person visit.”

“Seriously,” I said with a roll of my eyes. Anton was harmless. I remembered that burning look in his eyes when he’d sworn his loyalty to me, but it was surprise and admiration at best. He’d been nothing but respectful in my correspondence with him. Of course, my guys had nothing to worry about, but it wasveryfun to tease these kinds of reactions from them. “Maybe we should let him come.”

“Why?” Wynn scoffed at the same time Cas did.

I smirked. “It’s kind of nice to have someone obsessed with you.”

Dissent erupted all over the table, and I almost shook holding in my laughter. Who knew these guys could get so worked up at just thethoughtthat another man might want my attention?

I leaned forward, elbow on the table with my chin in my palm, grinning. “What? You guys can’t handle the men in my employ? He’s doing a good job. Maybe he should get rewarded.”

I swore to God, a vein bulged in Cas’s forehead.

“Careful, Leona,” Obi said, drawing the eye of everyone at the table, “or you will be punished.”

I froze. A feral grin split Ryu’s face.

“Punished?” I squeaked. “What the hell does that mean?”