Page 34 of Consort of the Crime Queen

I hold Tony's accusing, injured glare. "And where did you get that from?"

"Where do you think?" he snarls. "You saying it's fake?"

For a long moment, I consider it. But I've never been one to hide from the truth. "It's real."

Ilona is the first to react. She jumps to her feet, eyes blazing. "So what the hell was that, Hades? You were just going to roll over for Daddy and give up everything we've built?"

Angry mutters ripple around the table. I take a slow breath, keeping my face neutral. I need to get this under control quickly.

More irate grumbles sound from around the table, and then Ricky speaks over them, sounding calmer than the rest. "Boss, I have to say, we've been here before. This is not how a Syndicate is supposed to operate. The point is that we decide things together, watch each other's backs. Not make unilateral choices based on..."

He lets his sentence trail off, but the insinuation is clear.

Based on emotion.

Weakness.

But then Ricky reverses course, and throws me a lifeline. "On the other hand," he says loudly, "maybe it was strategy. I can accept that. And it doesn't matter anyhow; nothing came of it. Aurora is back with us, we're still scaring the pants off these so-called tough guys in the Imperioli Family, and we know you'll get together a plan for dealing with Nero. We're all good, end of story."

I shoot him a grateful look, relieved someone still has my back.

Lyssa stands up, too. "Sit the fuck down, Ilona," she says. "And be quiet."

But Ilona shakes her head in disgust, upper lip curled derisively. "Come on. Our fearless leader folded like paper at her daddy's command. Just couldn't wait to lick his boots. Don't pretend that's not a massive fucking problem."

Beneath the table, my fingers dig into my thighs, yearning to curl around her throat instead.

But I force myself to relax my fists, keep my voice bored and indifferent. I can't afford to lose my temper. "As Ricky says, I did what was needed in the moment, Ilona. A short-term strategy to avoid bloodshed and complications. But the Syndicate remains fully intact, as you can see. My commitment has not wavered."

Ilona barks out a harsh, scornful laugh. "Bullshit. You've been useless as a leader ever since your pretty pet showed up. Face it, Hades, your judgment is shot to hell. Maybe it's time we had someone competent at the helm instead."

The atmosphere turns brittle as the rest of the Syndicate falls silent, waiting to see my reaction.

Beside me, Lyssa puts her hands on the table, leaning over to stare Ilona straight in the face. When she speaks, her voice is lethally soft.

"If you are questioning who leads this Syndicate, Ilona—" A razor smile tightens her lips. "—then you know the protocol. Formal challenge issued. Fight to the death. Go ahead and put your life where your mouth is, if you're so confident. Or does Hades scare you too much?"

Ilona stares back, but I can see her bravado faltering. As competent as she is, she's no match for me in a fight. We both know it. A direct challenge would be suicide.

"I'm simply voicing concerns that others share," she mutters resentfully, sinking back down in her seat. "There's no need to threaten me for speaking the truth. As a lieutenant, I have a right to speak—unless, of course, Hades is going to pull my rank from me like she did to Ricky." She glares at Ricky. "Speaking of bootlickers…"

Before Ricky can retort, I hold up a hand. "That's enough. This in-fighting is pointless." I fix Ilona with an icy stare until she drops her gaze. "As Ricky said, nothing has changed, except that my father has successfully weakened us. Why do you think he sent you that recording, Tony? You've done exactly what he hoped you would do, run in here and started chipping away at the things that hold us together."

That earns me a few murmurs of agreement, at least, and Tony looks embarrassed.

So I press my advantage, standing up and looking around the room. "If you want to be angry, be angry with Nero, since he is the one thinning our ranks. It's time to put a stop to him for once and for all. I will finalize our plans in the next few days."

The reason I haven't moved against Nero yet is because I'd hoped to build up some allies. But now I'll have to rethink my strategy and find a way with the numbers we already have.

"So unless there's anything productive left to discuss tonight," I go on, "I will conclude the meeting."

I look to Tony, who glances uneasily at Ilona before giving a small shake of his head. "I mean, like Ricky said, it's moot anyhow," he mumbles. "Though if you've got any other surprises coming our way, I'd appreciate a heads up."

Lyssa bares her teeth in a smile that is more snarl. "Trust me, Tony. You'll be the first to know."

Tony stays silent. I survey the room a final time, watching resentment smoldering in some eyes, the rigid set of their shoulders. Doubts are written clearly across each grim face.

I'm damn close to losing my people.

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