Page 26 of Consort of the Crime Queen

I try to remember what Mario told me when I confided my worries in him earlier today in training, that people might think I slept my way into my seat at the table. "You saved the Boss's life at that meeting with Nero Imperioli," he reminded me bluntly. "I was shaking in my boots and you just took my gun and—blam!—girl, you took out that motherfucker who was aiming at Hades. If anyone got a right to be at that table, Suzy, it's you."

I didn't remind him that the man I shot survived. I guess it's a better story if he did, though secretly I'm relieved that he lived.

But right now, not all my fellow trainees seem to think the same as Mario. One of them in particular, a guy who goes by the name Diesel, is staring at me with hard, dead eyes. I don't like him much. He's skinny and tall and wiry, the opposite of Mario, and he fights dirty in training every chance he gets. Lyssa doesn't stop him—she told me once I need to be ready for reality, and people fight more than dirty in reality.

They fight to win.

But hell, he's not the one who took out an Imperioli soldier who was shooting at Hades, now is he? So I stare straight back at him until he looks away.

"Let's begin," Hadria states crisply, scanning the group with her piercing gaze, and I turn my attention back to the table. But my heart sinks when I notice the two empty seats around the table where Eddie Torres and Bulldog Brassi used to sit.

Both of them killed by Nero. I can't help feeling guilty. This is—in part—because of me.

But before I can wallow in self-pity and before Hadria can get started, Ricky Half-hands speaks up from a little way down the table. "So is anyone gonna tell us what really happened with Aurora?"

I freeze, surprised. No one has mentioned my absence, neither the week I was away in the safe house nor the days I was being kept in the Imperioli estate. Around me, the others shift and murmur uneasily.

Hadria's eyes narrow. "What do you mean?"

Ricky leans forward, undeterred. "Word on the street is Nero Imperioli snatched her back."

My breath hitches. Beside me, Hadria goes utterly still, fury gathering like an arctic storm in her icy gaze.

The table studies her nervously, waiting for her reaction—except for Ricky. He just waits with an even face. The trainees fidget and glance between Hadria and Ricky like spectators at a gladiatorial match, eager for the first clash of violence.

"That's not true," Hadria finally says.

Ricky leans back now and folds his arms across his broad chest. "Oh, yeah? Then where was she?"

The room seems to hold its breath. Hadria hesitates, and I can almost hear the rapid calculations going on in her head.

After an endless moment, she speaks. "My father took her. Don Imperioli."

A ripple of surprise moves through the room. I keep my eyes fixed on the table, humiliation burning my cheeks. I hadn't wanted them to think of me as so weak, so easily captured.

"But it doesn't matter now," Hadria continues dismissively, back in control. "Aurora is back where she belongs."

Ricky's fist slams down, making everyone jump. "The hell it doesn't matter! We should've been told the second she went missing. Nero's out on the streets looking to take us out one by one, and Aurora's one of us. We all need to be watching each other's backs."

I'm touched by the vehemence of his response. But Hadria just stares at him stonily. I can't remember ever seeing her so close to losing her temper. "Aurora is not a member of the Syndicate," she grinds out.

I can't stop my jerk of surprise as I glance at her. Not a member? After everything we've faced together? Not to mention that I'm sitting right next to her at the table!

Ricky looks affronted on my behalf, bless him. "What the hell is she then?"

Hadria hesitates again, clenching her jaw so hard I worry she'll crack a tooth. The whole room watches raptly, seemingly shocked that anyone would dare question Hades so openly.

When Hadria fails to respond, Ricky presses harder. "Why isn't she one of us? She's been training under Lyssa. She's fought beside us." His eyes bore into Hadria's. "She saved your damn life at that meeting with Nero."

Murmurs ripple around the table and heads nod in agreement. Ricky jabs an accusing finger at Hadria. "Aurora matters to more folks here than just you, Boss. So if she's in danger, all of us need to know. So we can watch her back just like she watches ours. Like she was watching yours."

My heart swells, even as my stomach sinks. Hadria looks apoplectic with rage, her whole body tight as a spring. I'm amazed she hasn't leaped across the table and throttled Ricky yet. The rest of the Syndicate seem to shrink back instinctively.

Just when I'm certain violence will erupt, Tony the Taxman pipes up from down the table. "Alright, alright. How about showing some respect, Ricky? Remember who's in charge here."

Part of me wants to smack the smug tone from Tony's voice. But maybe he can diffuse the situation after all.

"Kid got off a lucky shot one time, that's all," Tony adds. "Don't make her one of us."

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