“Good. Thanks to you,” Alexey replies with a nod. “Aldo’s been spoiling her.”
I choke back a laugh. I’m sure he is. “She’s in good hands there.”
“Aldo’s going to be your new dad,” Gage laughs, saying exactly what I’m thinking.
Alexey and Dmitri turn matching black eyes on him, not at all amused.
“Welcome to the new stepdad club,” Leo grumbles. “Fucking Italians.”
Everyone cracks up at that, not offended by the Italian’s diss. Leo and Ryder are still adjusting to the fact their parents are in a relationship.
“On that note,” Dmitri says, standing up. “We have some things to take care of.”
“Call us if you need us,” Alexey adds, standing up behind him.
I say my thanks and goodbyes, then turn to Ghost and Squid. “Ryder has an offer for you guys.” Ryder turns shocked eyes on me, surprised I’m giving him the lead. “This was your idea, and you’ve been running them. Not me.” Ryder nods once, then turns to them.
“We want to move you guys up the ranks. Work closer with us.”
Squid’s eyebrows hit his blue hairline. “For real?” I can’t get over how much better he looks now. Once I got him clean, he started taking better care of himself. He started working out to get his muscle back, and his eyes aren’t a dull brown anymore; they’re bright. He looks damn good. Not that I’ll say that out loud.
“What about our guys?” Ghost asks, relaxing back in his chair.
“They’ll still be yours to run. You can work some jobs with us to see how you do, and then you can pull someone else in to lead.” Ryder shrugs. “We could use someone to run all the gangs.” What Ryder is saying without actually saying the words; we don’t have time for the gangs right now. By pulling Ghost and Squid to higher ranks, they will benefit from what we can offer and still control Concrete Row.
I cross my arms on the table. “In all honesty, you guys deserve it. I know what you did for Zane and me. I’ll be forever grateful for that.” I clear my throat from the emotion clogging it. “We won’t be offended if you say no. Think about it. Talk it out. Then give us your decision.”
Squid looks at me. “You saved my fucking life. It’s the least I can do.”
“Can we talk about the name Squid, though?” Gage jokes, breaking the tension around the table. “It doesn’t exactly instill fear in me.”
Ghost laughs. “I thought the same thing.”
“And Ghost does?” Squid argues.
“Ghost sounds badass,” Ryder defends. “Squid sounds ridiculous.”
Squid throws his hands up. “What do you want me to be called?”
“What’s your real name?” I ask with a laugh. I have to agree with Gage on this one. The Squid name has to go, but it’s the only name I’ve ever known him by.
“Caden.”
“Your name is Caden, and you chose to go by Squid?” Micah asks with a chuckle.
“I didn’t choose shit. It’s what they started calling me from the beginning. It stuck.”
“Can we please call you Caden?” I ask with a grin. I know some guys in gangs like the anonymity of a nickname, but I can’t do it with a straight face anymore.
He rolls his eyes. “Yes.”
“Thank fuck,” Ryder mutters. “I hated that name.”
Caden flips Ryder the bird good-naturedly. I look at Ghost with a smile. I don’t know his real name either.
Ghost narrows his eyes. “I don’t tell anyone my real name.”
“She’s the boss, though,” Zane chuckles.
