Page 126 of Fall Before Her Throne

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LEONA

Max and I watched the SUV pull away from the garage and turn onto the road. They were headed to Connecticut to get Chiara, while Max and I were stuck on house arrest.

Fuck the fucking FBI that had us hiding like cowards.

I bit the nail on my thumb. I had called Chiara earlier to tell her we were coming to get her—and fill her in on some of the latest developments in the Max department. She had almost screamed my ear off with excitement. We’d only hung up the phone so she could start packing. One man Max had stationed there was still with her, and he spoke with Max for a couple of minutes, but the other had left days ago after being called by Greco and had never returned.

That was eating at me.

Chiara assured me she was fine, but I wouldn’t feel relaxed until I could squeeze her in the tightest hug known to man. Or woman.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent her a quick text while I walked back inside.

Leona: The guys are on their way. They’ll hopefully be there in about an hour

Chiara: I’m so excited to meet them! After everything you’ve told me, they sound so hot

Chiara: And see you, of course

Leona: Glad to know I’m an afterthought

Chiara: I know what you look like. I don’t know what the hot guys look like. Besides Cas. He’s always been hot

Leona: Get packed, loser. I’ll see you soon and we’ll have a sleepover

Chiara: Yay!

I collapsed into a chair at the kitchen table. My phone clattered on the tabletop. With a huff, I crossed my arms over my chest and fumed. Max stared at me while he leaned with his back against the island, both hands braced on the countertop.

“I should have gone with them,” I said with a frustrated sigh. “I’m nervous about her.”

“It’s your fault we got stuck here at the house,” Max quipped. His eyes appraised me. “Don’t blame me.”

I scoffed. “Excuse me?”

“If you would have just been quiet,” he started as he pushed off the island, “and not made a big deal out of it, we both could be out there right now. Nobody would have cared. So, really, it’s your fault.”

He pulled out the chair next to me and sat down.

“You can’t turn this around on me,” I argued. “If you weren’t so stubborn, at least one of us could have gone. Then you could have stayed here and cleaned the house for us.”

Max snorted. He leaned forward and braced his forearms on his knees. “If you want me to clean the house, I’ll clean the house.”

I sat straighter. “Fine, then. Clean the house.”

He scooted closer. “It’ll be spotless.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“What else can I do for you?” he murmured.

My lips thinned as I considered. “Make us dinner every night.”

“Done.”

“And I also want gifts. Lots and lots of gifts.”