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And Lyssa.
CHAPTER 31
Lyssa
Later in the night, the Elysium ballroom—a new addition during the rebuild, and one that we actually really needed, because we have a lot of parties these days—hums with excitement. Syndicate members mill about, drinking, sharing food and gossip.
And Scarlett is right there among them, looking so happy to be included, to be accepted, that I could just about cry, if I was the crying kind. But I’m not, so I just smile to myself and wander the outskirts of the crowd, the wolf prowling.
But I’m not the only lone figure. Hadria is standing near the grand fireplace, alone. Aurora is dancing with Mario and encouraging some of the new recruits to join in. Hadria is watching with affection. Even with her arm in that sling, she exudes authority. Our eyes meet, and I feel a familiar pull, followed by the new slight chill between us.
It’s time to clear the air.
I weave my way over, nodding at familiar faces. Ricky raises his glass in a silent toast. Mrs. Graves gives me a warm smile, though I can see the worry lines etched deeper around her eyes. Sarah’s return has taken its toll.
Just wait until Hadria talks to her about Sarah joining the Syndicate.
“I’m still pissed at you,” I say as I sidle up to Hadria, keeping my voice low. “For that gauntlet shit.”
She turns, one eyebrow arched. For a moment, I see a flicker of something—regret?—in her steel-colored eyes. “Blame Aurora if you’re going to blame anyone,” she says, but her tone carries the barest hint of apology, which from Hadria is practically groveling. “And you can blame her for the wedding outfit, too.”
“Wedding outfit?” I stare blankly at her.
“You were obviously never going to make a decision on that. So she made one for you. As for the plus-one…” She glances over to Scarlett. “That seems to have changed, too.”
I give a half-smile and a nod, and then we stand in silence, watching the party unfold. The tension between us is still there, an invisible barrier neither of us knows how to breach.
“Are we okay?” The words come out more vulnerable than I intended.
Hadria is quiet for a long moment, her gaze fixed on Aurora. “We will be,” she says finally. She turns to face me, her expression softening slightly. “The Syndicate survives. That’s what matters. You and me… We’ll also find our way back to each other, Lyssa. We have to. We’re family. And the Syndicate rests on both of us.”
I feel something loosen in my chest. It’s a start. A good start. “Does this mean you’ll take my advice more often?” I ask, unable to resist needling her a bit.
“Maybe,” she replies with a tiny smile. But the lightness doesn’t last. “Speaking of advice,” she says, lowering her voice further, “I could use some. About Sarah Graves.”
“What about her?”
Hadria sighs, and it’s a rare display of uncertainty from her. “Well, you heard her. She wants to join the Syndicate, and I said I’d speak to everyone about it. Now, there’s no denying her skills as a fighter. But her mental state…” She trails off, shaking her head.
“You’re worried she’s not stable enough,” I finish for her.
“Exactly. I believe her when she says she hates Grandmother now. But is she really ready for this life? Again? She’s…unpredictable.”
I nod, mulling it over. The idea of Sarah—the woman who killed Scarlett’s brother, tried to kill Scarlett herself, and who hated me with such venom—becoming one of us…
But I force myself to think rationally. She’s here, and she’s not going anywhere, because Mrs. G would never allow it. So if she stays, hell, she might as well contribute.
“She needs deprogramming,” I say slowly. “Lots of it. And it’s concerning how eager she is to swear loyalty to the next powerful woman who comes along.” I pause, an idea forming. “What if…what if we got her some help?”
Hadria looks at me sharply. “Help?”
“Johnny de Luca. He offered help on his daughter’s behalf. Said she had experience helping trafficked women—including psychs who understand, you know, the business.”
Hadria thinks about that for a moment. “I don’t think Sarah would agree to it.”
“Yeah she would. If it was a condition of her joining the next intake of recruits.”
“Recruits? With her skills? She’d run circles around the others.”
