Bones grunted. “He’s already a problem.”
“Most problems can be solved with a wrench,” Voodoo said cheerfully. “Or the threat of one.”
I lifted my brows. “You think he’ll respond to tools?”
AB snorted around a mouthful of noodles. “In my experienceeveryoneresponds to tools.”
“People are simple creatures,” Voodoo said. “Fear is universal.”
Bones passed him a water bottle. “Fear only works when they believe we’re willing to use it.”
“We are.” Legend looked up then, eyes sliding to me for a second.
I couldn’t argue with that. I’d seen what they were capable of—merciless precision when necessary. It should have scared me. I think it had once… but honestly, now? No, it didn’t frighten me and it never would. Because they were never merciless with me. They let me step out when I needed it and be a part of it when I needed that too.
I leaned forward, elbows on the kitchen island. “What does he want? What does someone like Dvorak care about?”
“Money,” AB said. “Power.”
“Not dying,” Voodoo added.
Bones shook his head. “He’s loyal to someone bigger. He’ll stall. He thinks he can outlast us.”
“That’s adorable,” Legend said with a thin smile. “He doesn’t know us yet.”
Goblin made a huffing noise like he agreed.
I swallowed a piece of spicy rice and watched them—my men—fall into the same easy rhythm they always did. Even in the middle of chaos, they fit together like puzzle pieces. ABwas thinking three steps ahead, Voodoo three steps sideways, Legend ready to blow it all to hell, and Bones grounding everyone.
Me? I was… learning where I fit. Lucky for me, it seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at once.
“What if he doesn’t break?” I asked.
Bones met my eyes. His were that dark, stormy gray, steady, warm at the bottom in a way that always made my chest go soft. “Everyone breaks.”
“Well, that’s grim,” I said, going for the levity that made the corners of his lips curve upwards.
“Accurate though,” AB added.
Legend set his food down with a sigh. “We just need what he knows about the Madrina connection. Then whether this ties to the Kirov Syndicate or some rogue faction. He’s a step to the next part.”
“He knows a name we don’t,” Voodoo said, wiping his hands. “I can feel it.”
“Well, we can’t exactly wait for him to feel chatty,” I said, leaning back. “How long do you think we have before someone knows he’s missing?”
“Not that long.” AB wrapped more noodles around his fork. “I can scrub some digital traces, but not all. If he has an alert protocol with his organization, a timer’s already running.”
Bones braced both hands on the counter, head down for a moment.
Legend’s gaze flicked to him. “What does your gut say?”
“Still debating that.” But Bones focused on me, not Legend. “What is your impression of him?”
That question startled me. “Really?”
He nodded once, straightening and folding his arms as he regarded me. “You have a fresh point of view. That can be useful.”
I thought for a minute, chewing slowly. “He’s arrogant. You saw it—he walked onto that deck because I smiled at him.”
