“Enough,” Lazarus interjects, sounding exhausted. “We’re not killing anyone else until we talk to Stefano. His response to this will dictate our next move.”
He doesn’t wait for them to agree, just launches into the potential paths this meeting could take and how he intends to counter.
Johan voices a few additional items for consideration based on what he pulls up from his laptop—a different one from what I’ve commandeered for myself—and starts showing some financial numbers. “If they want to pay recompense, this is what we should ask for.”
“Blood is far more fun to play with than money,” Noah mutters.
Both of the other alphas ignore him, their focus on business only.
When they’re done, Lazarus looks at me and asks, “You’ve been quiet, Ms. Bianchi. Do you have any thoughts you would like to share?”
Noah leans forward from his spot next to Lazarus, a hopeful expression on his face. “You’re bored and want me to kill them all, right?” He’s like a puppy dog begging me to let him off his leash so he can run out and play.
Unfortunately, I don’t really want to watch him kill a bunch of Riccis.
Instead, I’m much more focused on everything Johan shared, which I was able to see since I’m seated right beside him on this side of the table.
“I think you need to talk to my brother.”
Lazarus’s eyebrow inches upward. “Is he involved in this somehow?”
“We all are, aren’t we?” I counter. “The city is split three ways. If you’re going to take from the Riccis, that’s going to disturb the balance. Disturbing the balance leads to turf wars. Turf wars lead to bloodshed?—”
“Fuck yeah, they do,” Noah inserts eagerly.
Ignoring him, I say, “And bloodshed can be bad for business.”
Noah makes a noise like I’ve shot him.
“I’m not saying it’s always bad,” I murmur, trying to placate him. “But in this situation, I agree thatfifteendead bodies is more than enough.”
He narrows his eyes. “They tried to kill Johan.”
“I know. But I think it’s important to find outwhythey targeted him. Because from what I’ve gathered, you haven’t learned the purpose behind the hit. So, what if Bastian was working alone? Or maybe there’s something larger going on here? Regardless, we can’t learn more about it if everyone is dead.”
Noah’s expression sours, and his glare turns to Lazarus. “You told her to say that to me.”
“I didn’t,” Lazarus replies, his lips curling just a tiny bit. “But the fact that she did is why she’s our perfect queen.”
Johan leans into my side, his lips near my ear. “Laz told Noah those exact words the other day when trying to quell his blood rage.”
“Oh.” I just said what came naturally to me. Nevertheless… “I still think you should talk to my brother before you upset the balance. Or consider partnering with him against the Riccis.”
“Giovanni isn’t one to favor partnership,” Lazarus says, his fingers lacing together on the mahogany surface as he shifts forward a little to hold my gaze. “But if you think we should reach out to him before we talk to Stefano, then we’ll call him.”
I perk up at that. “You will?”
He stares at me. “Yes. I don’t make false promises, Ms. Bianchi. I also value your input and suggestions, so thank you for providing your insight.”
Noah grunts again, causing Lazarus’s attention to drift toward the clearly disgruntled alpha.
“Anything you want to add?” he prompts his enforcer.
The two men stare each other down for a moment before Noah says, “If Stefano ordered the hit, he’s mine to kill.”
“Shouldn’t he technically be mine to take out?” Johan asks, arching a dark brow.
Noah considers him for a moment. “I’ll hold him down while you carve your name into his chest and slice off his dick.”
