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LEONA

M ax kept his eyes on me the entire meal, but these men were eating out of my fucking hand.

We’d been trading stories about my father, catching up on my “studies,” and discussing all their families. I’d bolstered my knowledge on each of them with the dossiers Ciel had created. During the conversation, Obi and Ciel had fed me plenty of knowledge about their pressure points, too. If things went south, I should have enough leverage to force a vote—and so far, I was confident we had the majority in our pocket.

“Now, gentlemen,” I said with a clap after Sterling finished his most recent story. “As much as I have loved catching up, I must confess I came here with a very specific thing in mind.”

“What’s that, dear?” Sterling said, taking a drink from one of the scotches I’d ordered for the entire table.

Max glared, his drink untouched. He’d done his best to engage in the conversation, but he seemed off. Shaken. I held back my grin and masked it with a dramatic sigh, letting my lip wobble ever so slightly.

“My father’s passing was such a surprise, but I’d actually been talking with him for quite a while about learning the ropes from him.”

“Oh, really?” one of the other board members, Hayes, said as he leaned forward in his chair. He was one of the newer and younger members, and he was firmly in Max’s camp.

I nodded. “Yes, that’s actually why I’ve been pursuing a business degree. He wanted me to take over his position when the time was right. Now that he’s gone, I’d like his seat on the board.”

“Take over?” Hayes said, an edge to his voice. “I hardly think that’s something you can handle. You’ve never even set foot in a VCI meeting before.”

“You’re so right, Hayes.” I held my hands up, a shy smile on my face. “Of course, I don’t want to run the company, even though it is my name on the doors. But I miss my dad, and I want to work where he worked. See what he did. Just seeing you all has made me feel so close to him, you know?”

“Brilliant, princess,” Cas mumbled in my ear.

“Did he ever mention me?” I asked, looking around the table. “That we talked about me learning?”

The board member in Obi’s pocket, Alexander Blackwell, cleared his throat. “He did, actually! A few weeks before his death, he floated the idea that you start mentoring underneath him and a few other executives. To me, at least. I thought that was a splendid idea.”

I smiled brilliantly. “Oh, Mr. Blackwell, that’s amazing. I just knew he would. I am so excited about the prospect of learning how my family’s business worked. I know I could really make my father proud.”

“We all miss your father terribly,” Max said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. “No one more than me. He was also like a father to me, as you all know.” He sighed dramatically, a small frown on his face. “But you’re not finished with your degree yet. It might be best to wait until then. I know how much he cared about your education as well. He wouldn’t want you to sacrifice that.”

“That’s a great point, Max,” Hayes added. “We’d hardly want to take you from your studies. Let’s perhaps postpone this discussion for a few years.”

I grit my teeth, trying not to whip out my knife and flick it across the table into his neck.

“I’ll kill that guy first,” Ryu murmured in my ear. “I’ve got my sights on the back of his head.”

That time, I couldn’t keep the small smile off my face.

“Max, you’re so right. I know you had been working closely with my father.” I turned to Sterling, then Blackwell, on either side of me. “I’m not sure if you knew, but Max was the last person who spoke with my father before he died.” Murmured awws went around the table. “I know. Max is always trying his best to look out for me. After all, he’s practically like my brother.” I gave him a dazzling smile. “Max, thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate you. I’ve actually thought about this a lot, and I’ve arranged with my professors to include a work-study program into my curriculum so I can learn the business and have it count for college credit.”

Sure, I was lying through my teeth, but nobody needed to know that yet.

“I’ll make a record of that immediately,” Ciel said.

I loved my hacker.

I locked eyes with Blackwell across the table. He blinked before he jumped in, performing his role perfectly. “This business is as much yours as your father’s, Leona. I think he’d be very proud of you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Blackwell. I just want to live up to his legacy. Leave the world a better place, like he always tried to. I know I can contribute to this company’s great future.” I inclined my head with a soft, practiced smile. Carefully, I injected hope and innocence into my voice. “Max? What do you think? You wouldn’t keep me from my inheritance, would you?”

All members of the board turned to him. He schooled his face into a passive mask. “Like all major board decisions, I think it should come to a vote.”

I nodded. “You’re right. What do we think? Mr. Sterling? Mr. Blackwell?”

“Leona, I’m so proud of the woman you’ve grown into,” Sterling said. “I vote yes. I can’t wait to see what you bring to us.”

“I agree. I think we have a bright future ahead with you two young people at the helm,” Blackwell added.

That was two out of six. I needed a majority, not a tie. With me on the board, it would bring the total count of members to seven.

“I’m so sorry, Leona,” Hayes said with a sigh. “It is certainly nothing personal, and no lack of belief, but I feel that, with the company’s current direction, we need someone with more experience in the final board member position. You understand, don’t you?”

I kept my face passive. “Of course, Hayes. I hope I’m able to prove you wrong.”

“Max? What do you think?” Sterling asked.

Max leveled his titanium gaze at me. “I vote no.”

“Surprise fucking surprise,” Cas murmured.

I inclined my head before moving to the last two members. I needed both of their votes. Nicholas Stone and James Marino.

“I’m torn,” Marino said as he took a drink. “I respected your father. He was a good businessman. But I also think you’re so very young, sweetheart.”

My teeth grated at the condescending term. Nothing like Ryu’s sultry endearment.

“Marino likes to make bets,” Ciel whispered in my ear. “He’s known to put time and energy to unlikely wins. Push him on that.”

“Sir, I appreciate your concern,” I said demurely, “but what is good business without a little risk? Take a risk on me.”

He stared at me for another moment before his mouth turned up in a smile. “All right. Let’s see what you’ve got. Stone? We were just talking about new investments. Let’s invest our time into this woman.”

Stone nodded. “If your father had these hopes for you, I think it’s wise to get you in early. You can sit in on meetings at the beginning, learn how all this works, but maybe you can take on some new projects in a few months.”

I beamed. I got the fucking votes.

“Thank you, sirs,” I said, reaching across the table to shake each of their hands. “I have special interest in supply chain. Maybe I can start there.”

Marino looked at Sterling. “That’s possible. Let’s get you looped in with the CSCO.”

I almost squealed, but I simply clasped my hands in my lap. “I can’t wait to make you, and this company, proud.”

“Fuck yeah,” Ryuji said. “Can I shoot him now?”

“No, Ryu.” Obi sighed. “Let us take this win as a win.”

Max glowered, then looked over his shoulder as Daniele walked up behind him. I sucked in a breath. We hadn’t even seen him here, had we? What the hell was he doing?

Daniele stared down the crook of his nose at me, then leaned over to whisper something in Max’s ear. As the board members chatted around me, my eyes were locked on the whispered “Fuck” coming from Max’s mouth.

He stood and buttoned his jacket. “Gentlemen. I’m afraid business calls me elsewhere. Please continue without me.” Sterling, Blackwell, and Hayes quickly said their goodbyes as we all stood. He cast a glance in my direction. “Leona.”

“Max,” I said brightly. “See you soon.”

He nodded and turned, stomping out of the restaurant. Chiara hopped off her stool at the bar and glanced at me. She rubbed her temple once more, signaling her double agent status, then followed him out.

What the hell? Was Max running with his tail between his legs?

Finally, I allowed myself the grin.

We fucking outsmarted him.

We did it.

I had a seat on my father’s board, and I could finally start taking control of the pieces of VCI we needed for our empire.

“Holy shit,” I whispered under my breath. “We did it.”

“Fuck yeah, princess,” Cas murmured in my ear.

“You showed him whose boss,” Ryu added.

The rest of the meeting was easy. We listened in on the discussion, but the gears in my head were turning elsewhere.

Chiara left with Max—but what did that mean, and what was her next move going to be?

She was acting as a double agent, but that put her at risk. We needed to pay attention to her, make sure she didn’t get in over her head. Max also likely still had leverage over her. That was how he got her to cooperate in the first place. If we could figure out what that was, we could turn the tables on him again.

We could get her free.

Next, I needed to get ingratiated into the business. We needed to take control of the shipping routes for the gun trade. We’d have to use different transportation than what Max used, but we could work on it now.

The doors were opening.

We were growing stronger.

We did it.