Page 3 of Queen Crow

I have no fucking clue what to make of them. “I was under the impression you were with the O’Cronin kid. That’s what Matteo thinks anyway. I heard a rumor of… more but I thought that was just his delusions.”

The Wolf starts toblushand Avery scoffs at her, irreverent to her status and infamy. “Seriously? We’re in a life-threatening situation and you’re getting all shy about your harem of obsessed boys?”

Morrison nudges Avery’s leg with his shoulder and cackles at her. “Leave her alone, she’s used to being a badass under pressure.”

The Wolf of Mounts Bay has a harem and Alexander Asher William Beaumont, the scowling and savage boy who can’t even handle sharing his sister with the world, is one of them.

This is incomprehensible.

So is Avery thinking that her life haseverbeen in danger from me. “This isn’t a life-threatening situation, Avery. As long as you are safe, I’m not going to do anything. The last time I saw the Wolf, I knew things had changed between her and the Jackal, but I couldn’t risk being wrong. I couldn’t leave your fate up to chance because the Jackal would do things to you that I’ve spentyearsmaking sure your father didn’t fucking do.”

My words mean nothing to her though, and she just stares over at me like I’ve lost her trust for good.

I won’t feel bad for this, not for coming here ready to kill for her, or for keeping her in the dark about who I’ve become. It’s saved her life over and over again, and that’s all that matters in the end.

Even if she hates me.

The Wolf cuts in to our staring competition. “It’s Lips, and I’m not Matteo’s protégé or girlfriend or whatever it is that the Twelve think. He sponsored me for the Game and he’s helped me out, but he’s also done things to me that I can’t ever forgive or forget. I went to Hannaford to figure a way out. That’s what we’re doing, we’re finding a way out of all of this.”

I nod and rub at my chin, thinking through a thousand new avenues this potential alliance could open up for me. For Avery. For building an empire so big and safe for her that she becomes untouchable.

Avery hesitates for a moment and then asks with her usual commanding tone, “You were at the meeting with Lips and Harley, do you think the Jackal is going to continue to send people to kill him?”

I shrug, easily able to slip into a business conversation with her. “He’s in less danger now that he’s under her protection. He was on very limited time with his grandfather before then, despite my efforts. Matteo can’t just kill him, he has to find some sort of betrayal or dishonesty to be able to take him out. He doesn’t just answer to the Wolf if he does, he answers to the Twelve. He’s a big player, but he’s not the biggest, and definitely not bigger than us all.”

“And what if he continues to try to kill him stealthily?” Avery continues. “I’m sure you’re aware he’s spiraling and recruiting.”

Well.

I guess the little Wolf hasn’t been so open with her family at just how far she went to stake a claim on Arbour. It was the first time I’ve seen her really throw around the reputation and power she’s cultivated over the years, and it was impressive, to say the least.

When I grin and cock an eyebrow at her, she blushes like a maiden, jarring me once again with howyoungshe is, and I answer Avery with a drawl, “Oh, after the Wolf’s declaration at the meeting, the Jackal has been served a severe warning about touching her toys. The rest of the Twelve are much more aware of his… instability now. Those who have chosen his side are in as much danger as he is.”

I finish with a sharp look at Lips but she shrugs it off, leaning forward in her chair and saying, “If I induct these three as well, would you be willing to back me up in the meetings if Matteo starts with his shit?”

It’s simple and easy and exactly what I need from her.

It’s the way to give Avery a name that isn’t my own, isn’t one her father or mine can use against her, and no one in the streets of Mounts Bay would ever go against the Wolf. Never and certainly not now that the Butcher has been inducted by her.

I stand and run a hand down the front of my suit jacket, a slow smile forming on my lips at how simple it is. “If you cut yourself off from the Jackal and start callingmewhen you need help instead of him, then I will take him on with you. Induct them, keep Avery safe from the Jackal and her father, and I will offer my help withanythingfrom this moment onward. Whatever the cost.”

That’sexactlywhat I need.

Lips glances up at Avery and I’m shocked to see that’s all she does. She doesn’t make an attempt to convince her or manipulate her into anything, she just stares up at her and waits for her to make her own mind up about this.

One by one, I watch as they all agree to these terms. Avery is the first, always weighing up her options and making the best choices she can. Morrison is quick to sign himself over to the girl, a lovesick idiot following her to his inevitable doom.

Ash takes a lot longer.

I’ve never seen him show any interest in girls before. He’s slept his way through Hannaford, sure, but he’s never looked as though he’s wanted to keep one around before.

He stares at Lips with the same type of obsession that the Jackal does. He stares at her like he would do anything to keep her tied to him, the same way Joey stares at him. If I wasn’t seeing it all with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it.

What magic has she cast over them all?

Finally, he squeezes her thigh with his eyes still cast away and Lips says firmly, “Done.”

I look to Avery with a tight smile, her presence always demanding my attention whether she knows it or not. She stares back at me like I’ve betrayed her so deeply that she may never forgive me.