Cameron looked at me with troubled eyes. I nodded again, more uncertain with where he was going with this.
“Was there any other way that you would’ve agreed to take over Mavestelli’s empire?” His words struck a chord deep in my soul.
My jaw slacked. “What? Reed, I thought you wanted the empire for yourself? I can’t?—”
“But you will.” Reed gazed down at me through hooded, famished eyes. “To prevent the death pills and the injections from slipping out into the world, wouldn’t you? To stop the horrors that we both know are likely to leak into the military and in the underworld if you don’t.”
Going through it firsthand and witnessing Cameron go through it each step of the way…of course I would. It would be catastrophic if I didn’t.
I had to.
He didn’t want it for himself…he wanted me to take over.
Reed saw the moment my gaze shifted from a weary freedom-seeking look into that of a vengeful spirit. Cameron’s expression held the same level of determination.
“Of course I would. But why do you want me to run it. Why not you?” My eyes trace over his wicked grin that spread over his lips and bared his teeth.
“Because, my dear Emery, I have my eyes set on something else entirely. You were always the best fitted to run your family’s legacy. You’re someone I can trust. I wanted your family’s power from the moment I met you. Don’t pretend you don’t know, that’s why I trust you so much. You’ve watched me all along. Burning my family’s mansion down to get into your home. Doing everything your father wanted even if it meant killing a few people I wasn’t ready to dispose of yet.” He has a sickening point. I’ve always known he was using me. I just knew he valued me more than most. The one he wouldn’t throw away.
“Even if it meant disposing me?” I asked, a knot built in my throat.
Reed’s expression softened. “There were times I got worried you might not make it, Em. But happy accidents kept you here.” His eyes shifted to Cameron.
“Won’t the Dark Forces look for us? Nolan won’t just let us go,” Cameron cuts in.
“I’ll remain on the inside of the Dark Forces, where I can pull strings as I need to, and you’ll be my underworld partner on the outside. It’ll be easy to convince them that the Fury Squad perished.” He folded his hands behind his back and smiled sinisterly. “Together, the three of us will become the most powerful people in the entire world.” His voice was smooth and sure.
Cameron grunted. “If it will end the death pills and that line of experiments, then count me in.” Both men stared at me, waiting for my answer.
I always hated my family’s empire, but perhaps, together, we could build a new one.
My voice was sharp. “Fine, but on one condition.”
“Cheers to one year of the Mortem Family ruling in the underworld. Business has never been so smooth, and the peace between the families across the world is at an all-time high.” Reed raises his glass and the rest of us follow suit. “To many more.”
Wraith whoops excitedly, looking ridiculous in his black tuxedo. I know he bought it just for this occasion alone. He very much still enjoys the “dirty work” involved with the empire, so I’m actually relieved he dressed up for the occasion and didn’t show up with a blood-stained shirt like he usually does.
Gage pats Cameron on the back and spills some beer on his thousand-dollar pants. They hardly notice and continue to cheer and laugh together. Happier than I’ve ever seen us all together.
It warms my heart to see Cam thrive in our new life. He spends the first half of the workdays with Gage and Damian planning big-picture deals with the other families. They always wear masks when they meet in person, to keep our identities hidden from the world.
A shudder races down my spine at the thought of General Nolan. Reed assured me that the general believes us all to be dead and isn’t looking for us, but we won’t risk it. All it would take is him to see one of us to know the truth. It’s why we reside primarily in London and Paris. We own entire buildings, thanks to my late father. Cameron and I will never want for anything. Neither will my dear friends.
I press a kiss to Cameron’s cheek and he smiles, giving me a suggestive look that he wants to head up to the penthouse soon.
Damian sweeps back his maroon-dyed hair and clinks glasses with Reed, who’s staring at me with a placid smile on his lips.
He never told us exactly what it is that he does in the Dark Forces. I’m not sure I want to know. Perhaps one day I’ll ask him. I only know that he has power within it, likely on a level of deceitfulness that rivals General Nolan and Captain Bridger.
“To us villains, for taking over the underworld,” Cameron says with a dangerous smirk.
I lift my glass to Reed, smiling as Cam hooks his hand around my waist and warms my soul with his.
I proclaim, “Cheers to being the bad guys.”
Cameron barely lets me walk through the door before he’s tossing his cane to the ground and pushing me up against the wall and sliding his hands beneath my shirt. I giggle into his kiss and whisper, “At least shut the door first.”
He growls into my lips and kicks the door, locking it without looking. He deepens the kiss, consuming me just as feverishly as he always does, but tonight he seems eager.
