Page 144 of Only Fools Rush

Whatever he wanted—whatever they both chose—was fine with me.

Cas stretched his arms over his head. “He knows what he’s doing. We worked well together when we tracked down the Alacrán that night with the Russians. I was impressed.”

I raised my eyebrow as a smile grew on my face. Cas, impressed? Maybe there was hope in all of us getting along.

Wynn would hold up the bargain with Fallon and be back before we knew it. Then, Ryuji and Obi would be home, and we could meet up with Giulio and the Italians.

Which reminded me.

“Cas, I have to tell you something,” I said, tilting my head so I could look at him.

“Hmm. What is it?” he asked sleepily, settling back on the couch next to me with his head in my lap. His arm curled around my waist.

“There’s a board meeting,” I began. “VCI.”

His head shot up. “What? When?”

“About a week and a half from now,” I said. “Chiara texted me the date and time, and Ciel found out what it actually was. He hacked into VCI’s systems.”

A muscle in Cas’s jaw worked. “Princess, if you say you want to go to that meeting…”

“I do.” I let go of Ciel’s hand so I could reach for Cas’s. “I need to show a strong face to the board and start getting looped into my father’s legitimate business. We might be in control of the West Coast gun trade now, but we still need the construction company’s ability to transport product across the nation. We only beat Max when the pieces connect.”

“No.” He shot up with a shake of his head. “It’s too dangerous. I won’t expose you to Max so closely. And if Chiara texted it to you, it could be a trap.”

I bit my lip. “I know it’s suspicious, but I feel like she’s been trying to tell me something important. I feel like I need to be there.”

“I don’t like it.”

“I want you to come with me.” I sighed. “But I need to know you won’t lose your shit.”

“I’m losing my shit just thinking of you in a room with him,” he growled through gritted teeth. “It’s too dangerous.”

I looked at Ciel for help, exasperated.

“I’ll be there, too, Cas,” he offered. “And any of the guys who can also come. Max wouldn’t dare attack Leona in front of the whole board, in a busy restaurant. He’s too smart for that.”

The muscles in Cas’s jaw twitched. “I’m coming with you, then. You will be in my eyesight at all times.”

I squeezed his hand. “That’s fine. I just need time to convince the board to give me my father’s seat. You being there might even throw Max off his game.”

“God, princess,” he said, lying his head in my lap again. “As soon as I catch a breath, you come up with another insane plan.”

“Well, how else did you think I’d start taking over my father’s business?”

He grunted. “I don’t know, but I didn’t expect you’d just decide to show up to a board meetingwithMax present. I still think it’s way too fucking dangerous.”

“Be grateful I even told you.” I chuckled, and his body stiffened in my lap. I ran my hand between his shoulder blades, trying to get him to relax. “I was nervous. The meeting will be faster than we think, and once I have a seat on the board, I can use it to convince men from my father’s army that I mean business.”

Giulio’s meeting was first, and realistically, I knew the entire army wouldn’t turn to me immediately. But maybe if I could get another win in my belt against Max, more would join us.

A shadow passed over his face before he squeezed my leg. “Fine. You’re right. If it helps your position, it’s worth it. And a public place is much better than back at the headquarters.”

“I also want you there in case Chiara is there. If she needs help, we need to get her out.”

“Did she say she would be?” he asked. “Are we absolutely positive this isn’t a trap?”

“It’s most likely a trap. But I don’t know how she’s involved yet, and I want to be ready to intervene if necessary.”