Page 225 of Sinful Like Us

We’re losing Akara as a lead.

We have zero power in the Tri-Force. Akara was all we had, and with Tony as a decision-maker, he can transfer us. He can fine us. Suspend us and fire us for minor infractions.

Akara cuts his gaze to everyone. “You have to obey Tony. You have to respect him. He’s your lead.”

No one says a word.

I shift my glare to the wall.

Following incompetent officers into combat, ones who make a platoon two klicks off and six hours late—I’ve been that infantryman grinding his teeth and shutting the fuck up. Then getting chewed out because that officer just got reamed by the Battalion Commander.

Done it.

And I’ll shut the fuck up again, but there are officers you meet who aregood.Just flat-out fucking good—and the respect comes easy. No gnawing or clenched jaw or grumbled curses.

Akara was always a better leader than me.

He still is, and to lose him is to lose the best authority the team has ever seen.

Akara runs a hand through his black hair a few times, more nervous, and we watch him grab a motorcycle backpack he threw on a chair. He unzips and pulls out folded papers. Turning back to us, he says, “You do have a choice—and I’m telling you upfront, the grass isn’t greener.”

I’m confused.

Jane smiles into another sip of coffee.

She knows.

Maximoff is also more relaxed than usual.

He knows.

While Akara passes stapled papers to each bodyguard, I whisper to Jane, “You going to tell me?”

“And spoil the ending?” She brightens. “Never.”

Akara stops at me and hands me a thick, stapled stack. “It’s you and me.” Banks will tell anyone that his best friend is Akara, but he’ll also say that he knows he’s not Akara’s best friend.

Because I’m Akara’s ride-or-die.

I have trouble calling Akara anything other than my closest friend. Truth is, I don’t like assuming anyone wants me to be their best friend.

But I feel like he’s mine. I’d do anything for him.

I take the papers and instantly see the typed title.

Kitsuwon Securities Inc.

This is a contract. He’s building his own private security firm.

“Yours is different,” Akara explains. “You’d be a rank above the other men, but below me.”

I flip the page. “As it should be.”

He smiles, but his lips downturn fast. And before anyone can edge in another word, he addresses all of us. “This isn’t a life jacket. It could be a sinking ship. Kitsuwon Securities will be completely separate from Price’s Triple Shield, and all the resources that we’ve built are gone. Security’s housing belongs tothem.The whole temp roster we’ve grown—I don’t have. Which means we need to train new temps. You won’t have seasoned guards when you need a day off. The rumor about us being fake bodyguards and in relationships with our clients—it will definitely ramp up. Your pay will be cut, substantially, and I can’t tell you where you’ll be living yet.” He expels a tense breath. “You’ll have to bear with all the kinks of being a part of a new company.”

I’m good to go.

Oscar looks around. “Who has a pen?”