"When you change your mind, and you will, you know how to reach me."
He leaves, his men following.
I stand there, breathing hard, trying to process.
He knows. He fucking knows. And he knows specifics, which means someone caught us in the act.
And worse, he's right about the rest. Antonio's dying, and I'll be taking over long before the captains are prepared to accept me.
I need backing.
But not from him. Never Alexei.
I shake my head, push the thoughts away. Grab the drinks and head back to Gemma.
She's where I left her, but her eyes are questioning when I approach.
"What happened? What did Alexei say?"
"We're leaving."
"What? Why?"
"Because I said so." I grab her hand. "Now."
I pull her through the crowd, out to the street where Emmanuel is waiting with the car.
"Saint, what's going on?—"
"Get in."
She climbs in, and I follow. Emmanuel pulls away from the curb.
"Tell me what happened," Gemma demands.
"Alexei Morozov knows."
Her face goes pale. "Did he?—"
"He knows. About what we've been doing. About you feeding me information."
"How?"
I fucked up somewhere. I don't say that. I don't need to. I run a hand through my hair. "He made me an offer. Help him take down the Neros completely, and he'll back me when I take over from Antonio."
She's quiet for a long moment. "What did you say?"
"I told him to fuck off."
"Why?"
I look at her like she's grown a second head. "Why do you think?"
"Because you don't trust him."
"Because I don't fucking respond to blackmail." I pull her closer. "And I protect what's mine."
She searches my face. "He threatened me?"
