Page 148 of Only Fools Rush
I could see them mulling over everything I was saying. Yet, they were still looking to Cas and the Shadows.
“I understand what this must look like,” I continued. “A lot of you knew me as a spoiled, young princess who liked to party and cause trouble. I’m not that woman anymore.”
“Excuse me,principessa, I mean no disrespect.” Romolo paused with the tip of his head, waiting for me to gesture for him to continue. “How are we supposed to believe that? I’ve known you since you were a babe. I haven’t seen you in months. And you return with the Shadows on your heels? How are we supposed to know you’re not just under their control?”
“Have you heard how the West Coast gun trade is under new ownership?”
A few men murmured.
“A hostile takeover, I heard,” Romolo said. “It’s got the Don upset. The Family lost a lot of business from whatever happened.”
Part of meloathedto hear Max referred to as the Don, but the other part wanted to laugh that it pissed Max off. Excellent.
“Do you know who killed the old dealer? Who stabbed him and stole his business from underneath him?”
They shook their heads.
“Me.”
Murmurs of disbelief went through the men. Eyebrows raised as they processed the news. Heads cocked to the side. It was like they started to look at me with fresh eyes.Finally.
“I get why Max didn’t want anyone to know it was me.” I shook my head. This is exactly whyIhad to be the one to kill him. WhyIhad to prove I belonged here. “You’re right, the Family did lose a lot of business. But the West Coast gun trade is mine now. Once I take over, that business returns, and money starts flowing back in your pockets. And let me assure you, there is plenty of it to go around. I’m bleeding Max from all sides. Of course he doesn’t want you to know that.”
More whispers and shifting feet.
“Do you know why Max has been limping around lately? Do you know who stabbed him in the thigh?” They looked to each other, but no one seemed to look at me. “Anyone remember seeing nail marks slashed across his face?”
A few more of their eyes widened, with a couple nudging each other’s shoulders.
“That’s right. Me.” I straightened my back. “My knife.” I pulled the blade from the sheath on my thigh. “My nails.” I held up my fingers. “Me.”
A few nods, a few approving gazes. I could practically see their change of opinion written across their faces. We wereso close. I just needed to seal the deal.
“These men”—I gestured to my three Shadows and Cas—“could handle all the dirty work for me. Believe me, they’re more than capable. But I’m not the woman who’s going to sit behind them and pretend to be in power. Iamin power. I will kill Max. New York will be mine. The only question is whether you’re on my side or his.”
Silence stretched through the room. I swallowed, trying to piece out what they were thinking. A few whispered in each other’s ears. Should I say something else? What was next?
Giulio grinned. “Little Leona all grown up.”
“Yeah. Yeah,” I said with a small smile in return.
“You’ve convinced me,” he said, stepping forward to shake Cas’s hand and then mine. “I’m ready to swear allegiance. Who else is with me?”
At first, muted agreement rippled through the men. Then, as more and more stepped forward, cheers began to rise.
I looked at Cas. His eyes shined with pride.
“You’re with me?” I asked them.
“Yes!” Giulio shouted, along with Alessio, Romolo, and the rest. “We’re with you!”
I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Had thisactuallyworked?
The men looked between me and Cas, their awe and respect evident. They came up, like Giulio, to shake our hands, and clap Cas on the back. A few even murmured “Congratulations,” which felt a little weird, but hey, I’d take it.
We’d gotten these men on our side.
And if we could get them, we could turn the rest. I was sure of it.
