Page 173 of Wreck Me

Power.

Once that was secured, everything else could be stabilized.

Dividing up Elijah’s empire between myself and Dante would provide a giant step forward in that direction. It would make me damn near untouchable.

It would finally give me a bit of a reprieve from my go-go-go approach and that white-knuckle grip of control I exerted over every little thing because of that deep-seated fear of losing something again.

And the notion of gaining a close ally in Dante Mancini through this long-term operation was also something favorable to me.

It had been something I’d lacked for a long time.

To have somebody at my side who understood the full weight of our work, of helming a mammoth empire, all the strain and expectations that came along with it, would bring me a peace I’d never come close to feeling before.

My phone buzzed again. Pretty much par for the course for me. It never fucking stopped.

I swiped it open to find a text.

Caleb: On for tonight, right?

Caspian: Everything is arranged.

Caleb: Just checking, because I came over last night to treat you to a throat-fuck, but Luke turned me away, said you’d crashed early. Really early for you.

Caspian: Just needed to catch up on some sleep. Fine now.

Caleb: You’re sure?

Caspian: Are you?

I winced as I sent the message.

Caleb: Of course. Why?

Caspian: We’ll talk after tonight’s takedown.

Caleb: About what?

Caspian: That’s the point. I’ve waited and you haven’t come to me, continuing to keep secrets. Can you feel it coming between us?

Caleb: Yes. All right. Tonight. After the mission.

Relief sung through me.

Caleb: See you soon. Miss you.

Caspian: Miss you too.

I hung up and took a moment, then returned to work, forcing myself to focus in spite of so much else going on.

Jesus Christ Almighty.

It really and truly never fucking stopped.

“Skylar, take out the hostiles at the south end of the dock. Bastian, secure the two transport trucks and safeguard the hostages,” I communicated down the line via my earpiece.

Confirmations from both of them sounded in my ear.

“Good to go,” Caleb said excitedly from beside me.

---