Page 196 of Juliet & Her Romeos

“What do you mean?” Ambrose snarls. “Laurent, I know that look.”

“You mean this one?” Laurent slips out of his suit pocket a tiny thumb drive.

Instantly, Benedict pulls away from Ambrose, alight with interest. “Tell me that’s what I think it is.”

My brow furrows. “What is it?”

“It’s the flash drive that Mom keeps on her at all times, even when she’s sleeping.” Laurent twirls the thumb drive nonchalantly between his fingers, before tossing it to Benedict. Benedict fumbles the catch but just about manages to hold onto the precious flash drive, which he holds to his chest with a purr. “It contains every one of her encrypted passwords. It will allow us access to her files, business transactions, and the entire Romeo Ballet Company. Evidence of all kinds could be on here. We can get a head start on maneuvering with both the board and taking over the control.”

“I’ll go and start work on it now, before she notices that it’s gone.” Benedict turns and rushes from the room.

“But I thought that Bec was a book worm and musician and…” I gesture helplessly.

“Bec is a genius.” Ambrose smiles, proudly. “He says that computers are just like pianos. Understanding them is like understanding music.”

I twist to Laurent. “How did you get that thing?”

Laurent simply arches his brow at Swan.

“I’m a thief.” Swan puffs out his chest. “And a pickpocket.”

“And a gentleman.” Laurent smiles. “Because then he passed it to me, since Mom tends to think that I’m part of the furniture, when I don’t talk.”

I gape at Swan. “But I didn’t see any of that.”

Swan sweeps a bow. “That’s why I’m a master thief.”

Ambrose prowls to grab Swan by the neck, pulling him into a kiss. Swan makes a startled sound, before deepening it.

“We are criminals,” Ambrose murmurs against Swan’s lips. “A thief is a useful addition. But don’t ever steal from me.”

Swan’s eyes glitter. “I don’t take orders.”

“Don’t kill each other, before you make up with hate sex.” Laurent stretches out on his back staring up at the ceiling. “Or before we’ve taken over every academy in the world and transformed them into shining examples of change, whichever.”

“Amby,” I drag on Ambrose’s arm, and he turns to me.

Ambrose’s amber eyes soften, and he massages my shoulders and down my arms. “I’ll run you a hot bath with scented oils later to help your muscles, my Juliet. I swear that’s the last time anyone will hurt or threaten my family.”

I relax under his talented fingers. “If we’re going to do this, then changing your dance academies won’t be enough. Perhaps, other ones will follow your example. But maybe not. What we need is a huge statement that will get this spoken about across the world.”

Ambrose’s brow furrows. “Like what?”

“Like healing one of the longest feuds in dance history between the Romeos and Cinders. I know that you hate Silas, but Nova is his aunt. Jacob is a killer too, and Silas should be part of this. Silas is cunning. After all, he’s already found a way to take over the Cinders. If both companies reform at the same time, then it’ll change everything. And if Silas comes on board about Mom’s murder, with his power and influence, then that’d be the key.”

Ambrose’s amber eyes become icy.

I can see how hard he’s battling with himself, as he stiffly takes a step back.

Silas is his competitor, rival, and bully.

Can he put all of that aside, including his own ego, for the sake of his pack?

Finally, Ambrose nods. “Joining forces with our enemy to take down Mom and complete our mission with the academies, is the greatest gamble of all. If you think that it’s the best idea, then my Omegas will always be heard. I’ll text the Alphahole toarrange to meet. There’s two things that man can never resist, a bet and kicking my ass. He lost to me at the racing track. The bait that he won’t be able to resist is proving that this time he can win. I’ll offer him what he’ll think is the perfect chance to beat the hell out of me: A boxing match.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Alpha Knot Boxing Studio, Sanctum

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