Massimo doesn't hesitate.
"We need a meeting. All of us." Then he groans, "And I suppose we need to have one with Salazar."
My mouth twitches. That'll be interesting. I'll put a bullet right between the fucker's eyes.
"We need to control the narrative before this turns into something bigger," Massimo warns.
Too late for that. I already know it. So does he. "Fine," I agree. "Set it up."
"Gabriel." That gets my attention more than anything else. He doesn't use my full name unless it matters.
"What?" I ask.
"You're not going to kill him at the meeting."
Not a question. An order. I glance back through the glass. Audra is still standing there. Watching the door. Waiting.
I drum my fingers against the railing. "Depends."
It's the wrong answer. We both know it.
"Gabriel." His voice hardens. Steel wrapped in calm. "We are not starting a war with a cartel because you can't control your temper."
A sharp exhale leaves me. "This isn't about my temper."
"Then what is it about?" he fires back immediately.
I don't answer. Because I don't have one he'll accept. Because the truth sounds a hell of a lot like weakness. Silence stretches. Heavy.
"You think I don't get it?" Massimo offers, quieter now. Not softer. Just… more dangerous. "You think I don't know what it's like when something gets under your skin like that?"
My grip tightens on the phone. He does. That's the problem. He's been through it with Jenna and his son.
"I understand," he continues. "What happened—What they did—I understand." A beat. "And we're with you, brother. No matter what."
That lands. Harder than anything else he's said. Because I know. This wouldn't be just my war. They would be right there, too. At my side. No matter what. No questions asked.
"But we can't have another war," he adds. "Not now. Not while the fucking Collector is breathing down our necks."
He's right. I know he's right. Doesn't mean I like it. My gaze flicks back to Audra again. Still there. Still waiting. Still standing after everything. Something twists in my chest.
"She almost died," I reiterate.
"I know."
"And you want me to sit across from the man responsible for that and… what?" I let out a humorless laugh. "Talk?"
"Yes." No hesitation. No apology. "Because if you don't, we lose control. And once that happens, we're not choosing the battlefield anymore. They are."
I close my eyes for a second. Control. Always comes back to that. I hate it. Because it means he's right. Again.
"Fine," I mutter. "I won't kill him at the meeting."
A pause, followed by a chuckle.
"Good." Massimo takes what I offer.
But he's not done. I can hear it. "And Gabriel?"
