Page 189 of Caught in the Crossfire

“Sounds like we’ve been paving the way for a takeover,” Leona said, drumming her fingers on the counter. “We clear the enemies, they come in and clean up.”

Max’s jaw clenched.

“That is exactly what they do,” I said. “They have their fingers in every culture, every country across the world. They fund conflict; they wait until the conflict destabilizes their interests, and then they move in and take over. This is what they did with their influence in my hometown in Nigeria.”

When I studied under them, hoping to gain power, I learned their tactics. I learned how their money created and grew the group that murdered my parents and terrorized our town. They did the same thing to multiple cartels across South America. They controlled the money, so they controlled everything.

“We won’t let them do it to us, Obi,” Leona assured. “Whatever it takes, we’ll stand our ground.”

Ryuji, Wynn, and Ciel agreed—while Max watched on emotionless.

“This feels like you’re warning us, Max,” Caspian said from my other side. “Why are you here? You didn’t have to tell us. You could have found Arion Vokshi on your own.”

Max rubbed the back of his neck. “I—” He breathed in and out of his nose. “I don’t know. Maybe I am warning you. Maybe I just need help in finding Arion Vokshi and taking him out.”

“You want help?” Ciel asked.

Max gave a reluctant nod. “I’m certain Arion fled to the States because the Albanian organization here could support him, but I’m not sure where. They had their fingers across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. He has to be looking for allies, big ones that could create a barrier between him and the Camorra. If we find him, if we can turn him over as a gift, I think I can get the Camorra to leave.”

Ciel cleared his throat, exchanging a look with both Wynn and Leona, who seemed like they knew exactly what he was about to say. “I know—I know where he is.”

Ryu gave a little laugh with a grin. “Little brother, coming to the rescue again.”

“Where?” Max asked.

Ciel looked at Leona.

She leaned back in her chair, giving Ciel and Wynn a crooked smile and a shrug. “Well, now seems as good a time as any, I guess.”

“What,ifunanya’m?” I asked. If she had been creating plans, she had not yet shared them with me. From the looks of it, only Wynn and Ciel were in on her little scheme. I shouldn’t be surprised.

“I have a plan,” she said proudly. “A plan for how we can capture Arion Vokshi, and destroy their footing once and for all.”

Caspian raised an eyebrow. “Why do I get the feeling you’re about to tell us something we’re going to hate?”

She grinned. “Oh, I definitely am.”

“Fuck me,” Ryu said with a groan.

She sat straighter. “There’s a sex club in Philadelphia called The Obsidian. Arion was seen there last night. I know what they’re doing there. I know how to get in. I was planning to infiltrate it and free the victims forced to work there, but sounds like I’m adding ‘capture Arion’ to the list, too.”

“What,alone?”

“That’s insane.”

“There’s no way?—”

“Absolutely. Fucking. Not,” Max said, voice hard as steel.

The two of them stared each other down.

“Well, I wasn’t on board with this, but seeing how badly Maxy doesn’t want it makes me reconsider.” Ryu kissed Leona on the head. “Go get them, baby.”

Cas scoffed. “Ryuji. What the fuck?”

Ryu shrugged.

“Listen up, boys,” Leona said, eyebrows furrowing while she stared at her hands. “I understand this is…hard for everyone. I’m not exactly excited about going inside a sex club where I know they’re drugging and abusing those women.” She took a deep breath, and her hands clenched on the counter. “We’ll plan it all out. I’ve already spoken with the girls who are coming with me. We’re all on board. The women are going to be the ones who take them down from the inside out.”