Page 134 of Caught in the Crossfire

A bloodied corpse with its lungs splayed out behind it like wings, strung up in an electronics store in Brooklyn.

Wynn and his fuckingblood eagle.

His lips had pressed into a thin line while we all gaped at the TV. The mayor was currently promising to find the culprit as soon as possible, while indicating he would crack down on gang activity and bring in other agencies if it was necessary. My teeth clenched when the news interviewed the chief of police and he thought the incident was related to other instances of gang violence, like the attack of local clubs and liquor stores.

Cas and I exchanged a glance. We tore those places to shreds, and yeah, theywereconnected, but they were all owned by fucking traffickers.

I rolled my eyes when he promised to keep the city safe. Wewere doing them a favor by getting these scumbags off the streets.

It was all fucking bullshit. Half the department was on our payroll, and the mayor himself was a direct contact of Obi. This city lived and breathed on corrupt officials.

But connecting these separate events, and then indicating that other agencies might get involved…fuck.

“We aren’t called the fuckingShadowsfor nothing, you absolute idiot.” I cut a glare over to Wynn.

He ran a hand through his platinum hair. “I will not apologize for taking another one of them off the streets.”

I scoffed. “I obviously don’t fucking care that you killed him. I care you left the body in the window for thecopsto find.”

“Nothing will come of it,” Ciel said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Right, Obi?”

Obi pulled Leona to his chest, her back against him, while he wrapped his arms around her. “No. Nothing will come of it.”

“No big deal, Ryu,” Leona said, trying to keep her voice light. “We made progress with the tunnels, and that’s what matters. If the police can’t trace it back to us, everything will be fine.”

“Onemisstep.” I held up my pointer finger. “That is all it takes. Then,weare in the crosshairs of governmental agencies while the Albanians get to disappear.”

“I’m surprised you’re all up in arms about this,” Cas said. “I’d have figured you’d encourage such blatant signals to our enemies.”

I groaned and pointed at the TV. “Not if it’s going to land on the fucking evening news!”

“The police won’t find anything,” Wynn said, avoiding my gaze. “The warning will draw the Albanians out more. They’ll want retaliation and get sloppy.”

“The only person getting sloppy around here is you, Wynn.”

The entire room went quiet. Everyone turned to look at me.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Wynn asked, standing straighter.

Leona tried to extricate herself from Obi’s arms, but he held her tight.

“It meansyou’rethe one who needs to be on your best fucking behavior.”

“Ryu—” Leona warned.

“If you have something you want to say to me, say it.” Wynn stepped closer, his face turning thunderous. But I’d had enough of his bullshit moping around. Enough of his losing control. “I’m not the only one known for violent proclivities.”

“I’m not the one who has overstepped at every opportunity. I am not the one who put a giant fucking target on our backs.” I sucked in a deep breath. “I am not the one wholostthelove of our lives.”

“That’s not—” Leona started.

“I knew it,” Wynn interrupted, staring at the ground. Ciel put his hand on Wynn’s shoulder, and he shrugged him off. “I knew all of you would never forgive me.”

I pointed at Leona, nowhere near done letting out the rage I’d bottled up since the worst day of my fucking life. “You caused that scar. You let her get taken. We almost lost her because ofyou!”

His shoulders slumped, and his face went white as a sheet. Still, he had no defense, because everyone in the room knew I was right. He fucked up, and it almost cost us everything.

Leona finally pulled from Obi’s arms, a frown marring her face. I expected her to agree with me, to confront Wynn for letting her down. She stomped over until she was right in front of me, and then she smacked me across the fucking face.