“Fallon owns Philadelphia. The Irish control basically the entire city.” It had been under her control for five years now, and she was not about to lose it. “In the aftermath of Max’s attack, her leadership has been thrown into question. Some groups have tested her, seeing if she’s weak enough to fall.”
Leona frowned. “I wish we could help her.”
“She knows we’re dealing with Max. She has a massive grudge against him, too, but agreed to keep an eye on the ports there. If the South Americans are bringing in any product, she’ll take them out.”
“Why does she want to meet in person?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. She said its sensitive, but she said the information she has will help us.”
Leona pursed her lips. That crease between her eyes stuck out like it always did when she was thinking. “We can go when we get back from LA.”
“I could go speak to her myself,” I offered. I wanted to be doing something. Helping.
She bit her lip and closed her eyes. “No, I want you to stay with Cas. He’s meeting with Giulio tonight.” Her fingers fiddled with the hair of her ponytail. “He’s still not one hundred percent, and I’m not sure how the Italians will react. I need you to stay with him.”
“Of course, love.” Caspian was a capable man. I had no problem with him.
“It’s not that he can’t handle it,” Leona added quickly, then rubbed the back of her neck. “I just…this is the first time I’ve left him intentionally. I don’t…”
She shifted from foot to foot while cracking her knuckles, and there was no doubt in my mind that Caspian would be just as anxious.
I’dprobably be the same way as soon as she got on that plane. I knew she had to do this, and she’d be completely safe with Ryu and Obi’s protection, but that didn’t mean I had to enjoy it.
She was my bonfire in the night. What would happen if I lost her?
I wrapped her in a hug, and her arms snaked around my neck. “I understand. Everyone will be fine. I’ll be with him at all the meetings. I’ll protect him.”
She cupped my cheek. “Protect yourself, too, Wynn. I can’t lose you either.”
Her eyes shined up at me. Despite her tiredness, they still blazed with determination. It made my heart surge with the same feeling.
I pressed my forehead against hers. “I will. We know what we’re doing. And if things go wrong, we’ll adapt.”
The Shadows did not fail. We adjusted, and we completed our missions. We’d do the same here, no matter what.
“I’m fucking tired of things going wrong,” she said, chuckling a little at the end.
“Me too.” My hands rubbed circles along her back. “But you also need to protect yourself. Let Obi and Ryuji keep you safe.”
She stepped to her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to my lips. “I will.”
“And also, don’t let Ryuji give you too much shit.”
She laughed. “I’ll do my best. Stay in touch with Fallon, but don’t leave Cas. We’ll meet up with the Irish when we get back.”
I nodded. “Stay strong. When you talk to that dealer, remember that you deserve to be there. You might not be claiming your father’s legacy, but you still come from a family with power. You’re withus. That means something.”
“Thanks, Wynn.” She took another deep breath, feeling steadier against me. She was strong. I’d always known that, and I loved that about her. She just needed people who believed in her.
With that, she’d be invincible.
It didn’t matter how many plans, how many adjustments, how many pivots it would take—I was hers for everything.
“Always, love.” I placed my hands on her hips. “Now I know you’re tired, but do you want pointers?”
“Can we practice grappling? I want to make sure I can overpower someone bigger than me.”
I grinned, electricity shooting through my veins. “Absolutely.”
