Page 147 of Only Fools Rush

“We heard the old Don was doing some dirty shit,” Daniele spoke. “We heard Max’s kill was justified.”

Fuck. Max must have told them, or at least allowed some of what my father was doing to slip through the ranks. The stolen drugs and the trafficking would make any of these men question my father, but the guns he sold to the government? That could ruin the whole Family if the news got into the wrong hands. How much did they know?

I crossed my arms over my chest. I had to take control of this narrative. “The truth is, Daniele, that my fatherwasdoing dirty shit. I’m not going to stand here and try to hide that. I carry the Vero name. After learning what my father did, I decided to be better. I want to fix all the shit he put this Family in, and I need your help to do it.”

“Max has been trying to fix it, too,” Daniele insisted.

I tried to control my reaction, but my jaw clenched. “Max hasn’t doneshitbut start wars and cost this Family money. I wouldn’t?—”

Grumbles went through the group, talking over me, with more than one voice insisting that wars were simply part of our world. I could see their disagreement written all over their faces.WhathadMax done? He’d caused nothing but death. That was what I was trying to fix.

“Max is a fucker who has damaged way more than he’s fixed.” Cas’s voice carried loud and clear over the crowd. They hushed their bickering to listen. “He’s caused this war between the Italians and the Russians. He’s bleeding money. He’s letting traffickers into New York, just like the old Don did, and doing nothing to stop it. He’s running the Family into the ground. You can all see it. The Family is dying under Max’s leadership.”

Everyone was quiet. They didn’t mind interrupting me, but they’d respect Cas’s word? I inhaled a deep breath to get my annoyance in check. They just didn’t respect meyet. That’s what I was here to earn.

That was what I had worked hard to show I deserved.

“What about them?” A man I didn’t know jerked his head at Ryu, Obi, and Ciel. Ryu seemed to exude darkness with his glower and the knife he casually flipped in his fingers.

“They are the Shadows.” I smiled. “And they are mine.”

The man who asked visibly paled. A few near my men stepped even farther away.

“Told you.” Giulio chuckled. “You assholes didn’t believe me that they have the Shadows on their side.”

“They are mine and I am theirs.” I folded my arms over my chest. “After Max tried to kill Cas and I, they saved us. We found a home with them.”

I glanced at Obi, who watched the men carefully, but he inclined his head. “We are more than allies. We are partners. Our futures are entwined. You know from our reputations that we have the power to back up our words.”

My chest swelled with pride and relief. Obi said we had to be willing to do whatever it took. I was willing; that’s why I killed Kofler myself. I wouldn’t let him down.

“Why would they help you?” Alessio asked, glancing to the men on his side. “I have to be honest, Leona, we’ve also heard some unflattering things about…”

“About what?” I asked.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well…your virtue.”

I choked down my gasp, along with the string of curses that threatened to burst from my mouth. Myvirtue?Who was talking about my fucking virtue? Max?

“Fuck. That.” Cas stepped forward, his anger painted in his furrowed brows and dark voice. “Anyone questioning Leona’s virtue answers to me. It’s nobody’s fucking business, and Leona’s virtue has nothing to do with her ability to lead. I’m fucking disappointed in you all for even letting that thought cross your minds. Grow the fuck up and come into this fucking century.”

The men looked visibly contrite at Cas’s rebuke, ducking their heads and nodding. My heart warmed at Cas’s defense.

“Sorry,” Alessio said softly, more to Cas than to me.

“It’s my honor you’ve besmirched, Alessio.” My voice was pure venom. Alessio was definitely part of the older generation, just about ten years younger than my father, but I thought he was better than that. “I think I’m owed your apology, not Cas.”

At that, his eyes widened. “S-sorry.”

Cas glared.

“I apologize, Leona.”

How the fuck had we gotten so far off track? I had to bring this back. We didn’t have time to fucking debate virginity as a social construct. I needed their allegiance. Now.

I folded my arms over my chest.

“The Shadows and I have formed our own syndicate.” My voice rang over the group. “Together, we’re going to change New York. We will not be like my father, or like Max. I want you, as my father’s men—my rightful men—to join us. Max might talkbig about hunting down traitors, but he’s the traitor. He’s tried to kill me multiple times. He’s tortured Cas to the point of nearly killing him. He put you all at risk with this war with the Russians and the South Americans. Whatever promises he’s made you are empty. Whereas I’ve made allies. I’ve secured revenue streams. Despite my father’s errors in judgment, as his daughter, the Vero Family rightfully passes to me. Join us.”