Page 141 of Deviant Reign (Knight's Ridge Empire 6)

But I have no doubt his death has had a massive impact on Archer’s life. And we used to be friends at one time, and hell, we’re connected in an entirely different way now. If the Cirillos, the Reapers, and the Wolves want a peaceful future, then we all need to find a way to get along.

“I’m…” he hesitates. “I’m sorry, Emmie. If I knew what he was doing, if I had any idea then—”

“Stop, Arch. It’s not your fault. I don’t blame you for any of it.”

“The second I found out, I tried to help, tried to—”

“Oh my God,” I gasp, realisation slamming into me. “It was Jace,” I breathe, sagging back against the headboard once more.

“Yeah,” he says with a chuckle. “And he assured me you were fine. Sassy little brat you’ve always been.”

“Arsehole,” I mutter.

“Whoa, careful. Are the Family taming you? You might have Greek blood running through your veins, girl. But don’t you forget where you come from,” he mocks.

“Nah, I’ll always be the girl from Lovell, Arch. You know that. So what happens now?” I ask.

“Ah, they got you on a snooping mission?”

“No,” I say, not leaving any question in my tone. “I don’t follow orders from them.”

“I’m teasing, Em. I can’t see you ever taking orders from anyone. But things are good. I always knew this day would come. I’ll figure it out the best I can. And I’ve got Dax and Jace by my side, so what could go wrong?”

I snort a laugh, thinking of the dumb shit the three of them have done over the years. “Oh yeah, what could go wrong? What about Misha? I’m sure she’ll—”

“We’re over,” he cuts me off.

“Oh.”

“It was just a bit of fun. Whatever, right?”

“Right,” I agree. Although I detect an undercurrent of hurt there. “Sorry if I interrupted anything, I just… I got a letter from Mum and I—”

“Missed me?” he teases.

“I was feeling nostalgic,” I confess. “But I’m glad I called. Thank Jace for taking care of me. I appreciate it.”

“I just wish I could have got there sooner.”

“It’s in the past, Arch. It’s all too late. Focus on the future. Something tells me that yours is going to be busy, Mr. Wolfe.”

He blows out a long breath, and I can imagine him scratching at his rough jaw as he considers what his life is now.

“If you need anything, you know where I am, yeah? I might not follow orders, but I’m happy to dish a few out for old time’s sake.”

“You’re one of a kind, Em. You know that?”

“Life would be boring otherwise. Apologise to Dax for me.”

“Sheesh, that motherfucker deserved it for touching something that didn’t belong to him. Plus, it was only a flesh wound.”

“I’m glad. But seriously, Arch. We’re on your side okay? Shit gets tough, just shout.” I have no idea what I’m really offering here, but something tells me it’s the right thing to do.

Archer’s wanted to clean up the Wolves for years. Well, now might just be his time. And I’m sure the guys would be well up for helping him remove a bit of trash. Hell, I know I am.

“You got it, girl. Take care, yeah?”

“Yeah, you too, Arch.”

I hang up with a smile on my face once more as everything that’s been up in the air recently starts to settle around me in nice, tidy piles.

My phone lights up again.

His Lordship: I love you, Emmie Cirillo.