Page 46 of When Kings Fall

“My apps.”

“Yeah,” Levi cut in. “You hid that well. I only discovered that just before I approached you the first time. You sure know how to hide the coin.”

“And you’re bothering to study at Stonewell, why?” Colt asked jokingly.

Sort of.

“I don’t know everything. My skills need some work still and there’s more to learn. Things that I need to learn to be able to keep producing lucrative apps and things.”

“Smart woman,” I said. “In so many ways. I’m insanely impressed.”

“Major praise, especially coming from my boy,” Colt said.

She smiled in that shy way when she received direct compliments. “Thanks.” She shifted her weight. “I’m not going to do anything without your authorization. Like we all agreed, we’re together as a team on everything now. That was the last piece of the puzzle from my end. With the rest of the revelations, everything is out in the open that impacts the four of us in any way. So, it’s your call, but I do strongly believe that turning down this help would be a mistake for you. They’re already in place, Mason. With the link being to me and not to you, there’s no risk on your end either. From the way I’ve set it up, it can’t come back on you.”

“But it could come back on you.”

“Even if Peter Hall gets word of my connection to you, I’ve ensured that it will be seen as unilateral, rogue action on my part, with you having no involvement in it.”

“Jesus, you’ve protected me really well.”

“Of course. We’re a team. We’re together.”

I reached out and cupped her face. “All true. And it’s because of that why I can’t let you risk yourself like this. Not for me, not for anything or anyone.”

“Reality check, brother,” Levi called. “We’re gearing up for a literal battle here. In comparison—”

“This is my father, Lev. He doesn’t stop. He’s a vindictive, dangerous fuck.”

“Wow, you rarely ever call him out like that. Especially not out loud,” Colt said.

I didn’t, no. It was yet another way I’d noticed myself shifting, changing.

“He won’t be able to touch her, don’t worry about that aspect of things,” Levi said, eyeing us and pausing what he was doing for a moment.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because Roman Knight won’t allow it.”

“What?”

“He knows what she means to me.”

“Us,” Colt cut in.

“Got it, my bad,” Levi said, before telling us, “If his old buddy, Peter, comes at her, he’ll be there to stop him.” Levi rolled his eyes at me. “To rein him in as pretty much the only one who’s capable of doing such a thing.”

I took his words in, processing them for a moment and weighing everything up.

And then I gave a nod. “Let’s do it. Authorized.”

She brightened. “Excellent.”

“Awesome!” Colt cried. “Finally.”

As I beamed over at him, excitement blooming at the idea of having something to hold over the bastard in order to sever his power over me, I tuned into Bree and Levi.

“Your dad knows about us?” Bree was asking him.

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