Page 87 of From the Ashes

“Surely this guy isn’t involved with Caleb,” Kovu says as he unwraps his third protein bar. “He’s boring as fuck.”

I shake my head. I think we were both hoping to get our hands dirty today, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen seeing as we need to head over to the Scarlet Lounge to meet Crew, Bishop, and Camilla before everyone gets there.

We like to be the first ones to arrive and last to leave to establish our positions in the room, but today it’s extra important. After all the ways Charles and Caleb have tried to take us down recently, we can’t be too careful.

“We need to get to the bottom of where he’s been the last few years. If we can figure that out, it’ll be easier for us to track who he has working for him,” I say, pulling my phone from my pocket. I’ve had the urge to check on Camilla for the last hour, and I’ve forced myself to remain on task, but I can’t handle it anymore.

I type a text into the group chat.

Kaos: How are you doing, Princess? Ready for your first official meeting?

Camilla: I’m good. Can’t say the same for Crew, though. I’d feel more ready if we had any idea what we’re walking into.

Kaos: What did you do to Crew?

Bishop: Last I heard, she was getting herself off while he was tied to his desk chair.

Kovu: On my way to the security footage to watch that.

Camilla: He shouldn’t have tried to push me away. *shrug emoji*

Crew: You have to know you’re going to pay for that later, Little Menace.

Camilla: That would mean you’re not avoiding me, which means I won. *kiss emoji*

Crew: Brat.

I shake my head. but I can’t wipe the smile off my lips. Is this what it’s like to be happy? There was a long time where I never thought I would feel it again, but even while we’re in the middle of the biggest mess we’ve ever found ourselves in, I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

Kaos: What time are you heading to the Scarlet Lounge with the princess?

Crew: In half an hour, provided she’s ready.

Camilla: I’m ready now, Daddy Crew. Thought I’d already pushed you enough for one day.

Camilla: How’d you get out, by the way?

Bishop: You left him tied up when you were done?

Camilla: Yep!

Crew: By ruining my favorite tie. She won’t be laughing when it’s her tied up.

Camilla: Once again, that means you’re not avoiding me, which I count as a win.

I chuckle and shove my phone back in my pocket. Our group chat has never been this lively, and I realize our lives in general haven’t been.

Camilla has breathed life into every part of us, and there’s nothing I won’t do to keep her safe and happy.

CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX

BISHOP

I’m the first to arrive at the Scarlet Lounge, finding both Elias and Wyatt waiting for me.

“Everything ready?” I ask as they fall in step with me as we make our way to the conference room we use for meetings. When we first made the deal with them to use this space, it was an unused room that was only connected to the club by a single side door from the front bar, and since then, we’ve made it ours in a lot of ways.

There are recording devices in here, although technically there shouldn’t be. Every now and then, one of the five families will get overly suspicious and sweep the room for bugs, but they never find them. The benefits of having friends in high places I, suppose.

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