Maverick’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t interrupt.
“I know you’ve got men who can handle your business,” Spike continues. “But I want Shadow support at your side every step of the way. I’m not stepping on your toes as Don, and we’re not backing out of our agreement. But this fight?” He gestures between them. “We go through it together.”
“Besides,” I add with a wicked smirk, “you’ve seen Bones’ handiwork. I’m sure your men would enjoy the show if you let him play with your lazy guard. Man sharpened his favorite blades just yesterday.”
“You’re not wrong,” Maverick chuckles, dark and unbothered. “Alright, Bones, you’re with me.” He turns. “Tank, if you wouldn’t mind tagging along with Luca and helping him secure the shelter until the rest of my men arrive.”
Tank’s jaw flexes. “Brother, no offense,” he growls, “but I amnotin the right state of mind to be around your family right now. What I need is someone to beat.”
“You’re exactly who we need then,” Luca says, stepping in before Maverick can answer. “Right now, we don’t trust our guards. Someone might have betrayed us, and until we figure out who, they’re all getting locked in the shelter cage.”
Tank lifts a brow.
“There are two I know for a fact will fight back when I give the order,” Luca continues. “Twins. Rage issues. Strong, mean, play dirty. Think you can handle them?”
“He can,” Maverick says with absolute confidence. “Just don’t kill them. I don’t believe they’re the traitors. They’re my cousins and have been loyal for years. But I can’t show favoritism.”
Tank nods once, sharp and eager. “Let’s go.”
We nod our goodbyes, and I follow Spike back towards the compound.
Chapter Eleven
Eli
I look around the room, baffled at how calm everyone is.
“Does this happen often?” I ask. “No one seems worried.”
Riley glances back from her spot in the tiny kitchen and gives me a sympathetic smile.
“I want to say no,” she admits. “I don’t want to scare you off. But… it happens enough that we’re comfortable down here. Well, except Abby. She doesn’t handle being below ground very well.”
“I’m getting better,” Abby says softly. Her face is pale, but her voice holds steady. “Remember how I told you I was held captive by Los Fantasmas?”
I nod.
“The place they kept me was underground. A dungeon or an old bomb shelter. I’m not really sure. I just know I didn’t see the sky for a very long time.”
“That’s horrible,” I whisper. “How can you stand to be down here after what you went through?”
“Tank, actually.” She gives a small, sad smile. “He fixed up my room so that when I get overwhelmed, I can lie on my bed and turn on the projector he installed.”
“It projects on every wall,” Sunny says, brightening. “Floor and ceiling, too. She can sit on her bed and be surrounded by a forest… or even on the edge of a beautiful waterfall.”
“Max is putting one together in my brother’s room,” Lila adds as she slices a sandwich for the little girl waiting patiently beside her. “Micah loves exploring, but with locked-in syndrome, hecan’t exactly go places. The second he saw Abby’s room down here, he practically begged us to get one.”
“He didn’t have to beg long,” Abby laughs, soft and warm. “Max caved the second Micah’s face lit up.”
“He spoils them,” Lila says fondly.
Riley turns her worry back to me. “Eli, how are you handling everything? I know I said we’re down here a lot, but usually it’s something small. Our men don’t take chances with our safety. But this? This is huge. And honestly…it’s scary. Even for me, and I’ve been here almost two years.”
“Well,” I sigh, rubbing my palms against my knees. “It’s the most excitement I’ve had in my entire life. Which, considering my body doesn’t handle excitement well, is… not exactly great.”
Abby tries to smile, but I see the fear flickering in her eyes. She really doesn’t like being down here.
“It’s a lot,” I admit. “Even now, I’m trying every technique I know to keep my heart from racing.”
