Page 220 of Fall Before Her Throne

“I’m okay. It wasn’t as bad as yours, Wynn.” I wrapped my arms around Obi and squeezed him tight. “Are you okay?”

My unspoken question lingered between us. Did you take care of him?

His face buried in the crook of my neck. “It is done.”

I pulled back. “Yeah?”

He nodded. “You did well, my love.”

I gave him a watery smile. He’d done it. Greco was dead. It was over. I could go with Badawi now. My guys would be fine. I stepped out of his embrace and took a steeling breath.

I looked back at the Special Agent. She leaned against the wall by the door. “I thought that…” I trailed off, not wanting to admit to my guys yet that our time together was limited.

She gave me a thin-lipped smile. “I thought this would work better.”

Something about her tone gave me pause, but I didn’t have a chance to question her before Samuel walked over and grabbed the folder from her hands. He flipped it open, skimming over the chunk of documents within. He asked a question, and she launched into some complicated and detailed explanation of what the FBI was doing—including a collaboration with the CIA re: the guns my father sold them “on behalf of the Camorra.” They turned to the door, ducking heads.

I didn’t want to spend my last few minutes of freedom listening to legalese, so I turned to Ryu instead.

“Ryu.” I brushed my fingers against his bruised cheek. First, he got shot in the arm. Now, this? “What the hell happened?”

He grinned and dropped his voice low while his palm circled my waist. “I started a riot. It was amazing.”

My eyes went wide. “Seriously?”

“We got time in the hole,” Ciel whispered excitedly. “Do you know how many ideas I had? The quiet time was amazing.”

I laughed. “That’s my genius hacker. I thought you’d be bored.”

“Right?” he said, eyes bright. “But it was like an entire system reboot. My brain was going crazy. I can’t wait to get home.”

Cas pulled me into a hug. “Well, I slept like shit. Couldn’t get comfortable with the gash on my leg. Don’t worry, it’s fine. These weirdos all loved solitary, but it was driving me up the wall. I missed you so much.”

“I missed you, too.” I wrapped my arms around his chest, breathing in his scent. The guys would have to make sure he took care of himself, make sure his wounds would heal. Being without Cas…that would be painful. I had no idea how I’d sleep.

At least it was only temporary. A few years, maybe.

I turned to Max, waiting for him to say something, but he was suspiciously quiet. He gave me a crooked smile while his eyes bounced around my face, down to my stomach, and then back up to my face. Before I could ask what he was thinking, Samuel and Badawi started speaking with harsh whispers.

They glanced over at me multiple times. Samuel pointed. Badawi shrugged with her eyes wide, some kind of exasperated look.

I put my hand on Obi’s arm. “What’s going on?”

He stared down at me, his jaw feathering. He glanced toward Max.

Oh, no. That was not a coincidence.

My eyes narrowed. “Tell me what’s going on.”

Badawi chose that moment to turn away from Samuel and walk over. “Miss Vero. Thank you for coming to today’s meeting.”

I looked between her and Samuel, letting out a heavy breath. It must be time. “Can I have a few more minutes? Please?”

Cas frowned. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

I stepped backward, putting space between my men and me. I wasn’t sure if I could do this if Cas was still touching me, if Ryu still crowded my back.

Samuel dragged his hands down his face. “That will not be necessary. Apparently.”