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“Relax, Killer. She’s not going to bite.” Dominic shook him a little, just enough to get his shoulders away from his ears. If I remembered right, the kid was alone in the world. Maybe he needed a family just like we did. A few big brothers to tease him and set him on the right path.
The way Dominic looked at him made me wonder if he’d already considered it.
Later, Mari. Expand the family later.
Smiling gently, I made a last-minute decision. “Dominic says you were instrumental in keeping him alive inside. I’d like to reward you for it.”
Dominic beamed at me, and I knew I’d done the right thing.
“He’s family.” The kid shrugged. Humble, too. Good. We needed more men like that. “Getting out is reward enough, though.”
I nodded to Dominic, who looked like he was going to burst with excitement. In our world, giving people good news was something so rare and special, we savored each moment like we’d never get another. “Mari always shows appreciation for loyalty like that. In this case, we’ve got a job for you. It’s not common knowledge, but we’ve recently lost a capo. Mari’s cousin will be taking the vacant spot, but that leaves a managerial position available. You’d be closer to the inner circle than most, with your own team and territory. There’s room to grow from there, if it’s something you’re interested in.”
“If you want out, that’s okay too.” I cut in. “You’ve already given so much of your life to the family, I won’t be upset if you decide to leave. In fact, I’ll get you set up wherever you want to go. No strings attached.”
It was the least I could do for a man who’d lost his youth to my syndicate.
“I didn’t know there was a new capo,” Killer said carefully. Not surprising since the capo decision had been made while we’d waited for Greyson to wake up. “Would I be under his jurisdiction?”
“No. You’d be under my uncle Gabriele.” I tilted my head at the shrewd look in his eyes. “Why?”
“If I’m going to take the position, I’d prefer to be under someone with enough capo experience to teach me.”
Dominic and I laughed, and even Nate joined us. “Trying to take over already, kid?”
“No, but I want to do the best I can for the family. It’s all I’ve got left.”
“And we’re honored to have you.” The reassurance puffed his chest, and I chuckled under my breath. “Does that mean you accept?”
“Yes, ma’am. Mari. Sorry, I’ll work on that.”
“I know you will. Get home safe. We’ll send you the information on your team tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Mari. Dominic. Uh…sir.” The last was said questioningly to Nate before the kid hurried out the door with a skip in his step. I snickered at the disgruntled look on Nate’s face as he mouthed sir.
Dominic watched Killer go before turning to me. “He’s young, but he’ll do well.”
“I don’t doubt your instincts.”
“That’s because they’re amazing.” I rolled my eyes.
Finally, I turned to the only remaining people in the room. Next to the wall, Cameron was standing with no aid, though he leaned heavily on Aislynn’s shoulder.
“Thought you got crutches?” I snarked.
“I did.” But he wouldn’t use them because it boosted his ego and his cred to walk around a week after nearly being burned alive. Fucking men.
“I’m starving. Do you guys want dinner?”
“Please. Someone talked so long that my stomach’s rumbling.” Shara nudged me on her way to the elevator, and I laughed, pulling her in for a hug. “You good?”
“I’m good. Are you?”
She peered over her shoulder at the others. “I will be.”
Whatever that meant.
The rest of them decided to get their own elevator, so I took my men and headed up, but once we were inside, I noticed Nate falter. The signs of discomfort were obvious, but I didn’t know why. Was it because he’d never been allowed inside the Celestine without sneaking in? Was he worried about my cousin and my friends?
