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Mari settled into a chair at my side, letting me hover without complaint before turning her eyes to the other leaders. “Tell me everything.”
Two-Bit described their attack on the gun warehouse, followed by Dominic explaining the money run. When it was our turn, Ajilon stepped in, though he didn’t mention killing the final guard. Interesting.
“Once your boy got his pictures, we loaded up quick. Burned the place down behind us, as requested.”
Mari’s hand clenched in mine, but other than that, she looked unaffected by it all. After she triple-checked the trucks herself, Micah and his men picked up the keys from Dominic and drove them away.
Mari turned to us, more relaxed than I’d seen in weeks. “Thank you for tonight. I’m hoping the blow to Cash’s reserves is as big as I think it is.”
“What’s next?” Kieran asked.
“War. Get your families out of the city tomorrow. Seattle’s officially a powder keg, and we just lit the match. Literally.” With another grateful nod, she let them go. Well, all except one. “Kosas. A word.”
He turned back to us, his brows drawn in confusion. “Is there a problem?”
“No. I wanted to tell you the money is yours.”
Shock rocked him back. “What?”
“The money is?—”
“I heard you. I just don’t understand why.”
Mari glanced out at the water, taking her time before she turned back. “I can’t bring your family back, and even though I know money won’t help ease the ache, it’s something. Keep it, burn it, give it away. I don’t care, it’s yours.”
“The others won’t like this.”
She shrugged. “So, don’t tell them.”
His stare was probing as he looked for whatever trap he thought she’d hidden in the offer. He found none. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because Tyrone and Chloe deserved better.”
This time, Kosas watched the water before answering. “Thank you.”
“Thank me when it’s over and Cash is dead.”
His lips tipped into the faintest smile. “I’ll do that.”
The four of us watched him walk away, shoulders heavy with grief. Only when he was out of sight did Greyson lean over and press a kiss to Mari’s temple. “You did a good thing, reina.”
I could tell she didn’t agree, but she didn’t argue either. “Can you two go get the car? I want to go home, and I’m too tired to walk.”
“I can carry you,” I offered. She patted my hand but looked pointedly at the others.
“Anything you want, mariposa,” Dominic said, swooping in for a brief kiss before hauling Greyson along with him. He immediately started telling Grey about all the kills Mari made and how badass our woman was, making me smile as they disappeared around the corner.
When they were gone, she turned to me with brows raised. “Pictures?”
I felt my cheeks flush a little at the stern tone and straightened my shoulders. I will not be embarrassed about this—or turned on by how hot she is when she’s firm with me. “They’re just in case.”
“Show me.” Pulling out my phone, I loaded the video and pictures I’d taken, letting her see the images. It didn’t take a genius to notice her brain was whirling, trying to figure out how to make sense of everything. When she’d gone through all of them, she handed the phone back to me, one photo still on the screen. “Send that to the burner phone.”
I forwarded the picture, then leaned over her shoulder to see what she was doing. She huffed but still smiled as she typed out a message to Paez.
I’ve got something of yours. Ready to talk yet? –Queenie
“Are you sure baiting him is a good idea?” I asked.
