I don’t answer. I’m not sure I can. At this point, my feelings are all over the place.
Sean leans back, arms folded. “So, you want us to what? Go along with this? Pretend this isn’t completely fucked?”
Johnny meets his stare head-on. “No. I want you to beready. Because if this works, Joe goes down and Walter’s empire takes a hefty strike. But if it doesn’t…” He pauses. “Everyone in this room becomes a target.”
Silence folds over us again. He lets it stretch.
Axel cracks his knuckles. “Well. If we’re on the hit list either way, let’s make it count.”
Nik exhales through his nose, tired but resolute. “You’re a dumbass for trying to do this alone.”
“I’m not alone anymore,” Johnny says, voice low. “Not if you’re with me.”
He looks at each of us like he’s asking, not ordering. It’s the first time I’ve seen himaskfor anything.
I look at Sean’s hand on my knee. Then at Axel, who gives me a lazy wink like he’s already in. Nik’s watching me, too, but there’s no pressure. Only a silent promise:this is your call.
And Johnny… Johnny stands there like a man trying to rebuild a bridge while it’s still on fire.
I breathe deep. It’s not forgiveness. It’s not surrender. But maybe it’s a beginning.
“We’ll do it,” I say quietly. “For the outcome. Certainly not for you.”
Johnny nods. “Fair enough.”
“But,” I continue, “I have one condition.”
I pause, making sure I have his attention.
“I want to be there when Joe is… finished.”
“You sure?” Axel asks.
“Positive.” I look at Johnny. “I have a few things to say. I’m owed at least that.”
“Alright,” Johnny agrees, way easier than I anticipated.
He turns for his suite, the weight of everything alreadysettling on his shoulders.
Axel tosses a pillow at his back. “Try not to fall in love with your fake bride.”
I wince.
Johnny disappears through the door without looking back.
Nik elbows Axel in the ribs.
“What? Too soon?”
And just like that, we’re all in it.
Whether we’re ready or not.
Chapter 35
Nik
I find Lina sprawled on her bed, flipping lazily through a magazine.
