Page 135 of Only Fools Rush

I brushed my thumb over her cheek. Her pupils dilated and she leaned toward me. The connection I felt between us was like a cord, drawing tighter with every breath.

But this path only led to failure and disappointment. Pain and heartbreak.

Blood. Pointed fingers. Screams.

I had to focus. Once we were safe, maybe I could afford to give in. But not now.

“Think about what I said.” I stepped back, letting my hand drop to my side. “We will send updates and return before the meeting.”

Her lips parted in an exhale. With the breath leaving her lungs, that small amount of no-man’s-land between us extended back to its original place. A chasm of my own making.

As Ryuji and I left to pack quick bags before heading to the airport, I could not help but wonder whether she would choose to walk across that barren space again.

40

WYNN

The drive to Philadelphia was tense and quiet. We’d left Ryu and Obi behind so they could head to China, but the rest of us drove to Fallon’s new makeshift office. Her normal biker bar had been one of the places Volpe hit the night of the club explosion.

I leaned against the wood-paneled office wall next to Ciel—still surprised he had even wanted to come with us—while Leona and Zoya took up the chairs and Cas hovered beside. Ciel had barely spoken since he’d eliminated his parents’ murderers. I’d watched him carefully as something twisted in my chest at his discomfort.

Briefly, I leaned into his shoulder, and he tensed, then relaxed against me. Things had felt…different since we’d been together in the library. I couldn’t be sure what it was but seeing him quieter than usual filled me with anxiety.

Was he happy with what happened? Devastated? Still processing?

Leona hadn’t been sure either when I’d pulled her aside and whispered in her ear that I was worried about him. She’d squeezed my hand and said we’d talk about it when we got home and had some sleep.

By the time Fallon swept into the room, both Zoya and Leona’s heads were bobbing from exhaustion.

Leona snapped up, eyes locked on where Fallon had wiped blood from her hands. “Is everything all right?”

“Oh, this?” Fallon looked down at the bloody towel. Then she handed it off to Finn, one of her men, and he tucked it in his back pocket. Her two other men, Conor and Ronan, were nowhere to be found.

I didn’t know them well, but I knew enough to understand they would never willingly separate from one another.

“Just some business I had to handle,” Fallon said, sitting down behind the desk. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun, and specks of blood peppered her neck. Zoya blanched when she noticed.

I bit back my smile, folding my arms over my chest. Fallon always loved to make an entrance.

“Grand to see ya, Leona,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “I’m glad you’re here, despite the lateness of the hour.” She glanced at Caspian and gave a nod. “Cas.”

“Fallon,” he replied, arms over his chest.

“Sorry about it being late,” Leona said as she leaned over the desk to shake her hand.

“We have much to discuss. First of which being this lovely little thing sitting in my office, and I don’t mean Wynn,” she said with a playful wink in my direction.

“Always a pleasure, Fallon,” I said, matching her tone. Fallon had teased me about my looks since the first day my sister and I had set foot in Philadelphia. She’d taken Willow under her wing almost immediately. I spent most of my time with Obi and the guys, but I had still gotten to know Fallon and her circle.

Ciel’s fingers briefly squeezed mine, but then he let go and straightened, staring straight ahead and refusing to meet my eye. An accident?

Leona cleared her throat. “Fallon, please meet Zoya Makarova.”

“Konstantin’s little sister.” Fallon inclined her head in greeting. Zoya swallowed and gave a little wave. “I got your text.”

Leona nodded. “Zoya needs protection while we and the Russians clean up this mess with the South Americans. The Alacrán Cartel targeted her tonight. We eliminated the leader, but it’s not safe for her to be in the city.”

Fallon leaned back in her chair, a glint in her eye. I recognized that look. Fallon was getting ready to negotiate. “Unfortunately, I don’t have many extra resources available and I’m down two safe houses since this mess started.”