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Lorenzo.
Declan.
Santiago.
I don't believe Adrianos is behind this. I know too much about what the conspiracy has taken from him. But that leaves four other men at the very center of an organization that has spent decades being quietly dismantled from within.
Drakos looks between us. "You're looking for an enemy. That's why you'll never see them."
The words settle heavily over the room.
An enemy has to cross the gates. An outsider needs to infiltrate, steal credentials, and learn how the Crown works. But whoever built OB6 hasn't spent decades trying to enter the Crown.
I think they are already part of it. Maybe one of the kings.
30
Adrianos
The Crown was created to prevent five empires from destroying one another. Tonight, sitting beneath one of Lorenzo’s hotels with four men powerful enough to start wars over an insult, I watch that purpose begin to fail.
The meeting room has no windows and only one entrance. Reinforced walls keep conversations from spilling beyond them, while armed men outside ensure nobody enters without permission. Phones are normally surrendered before Crown meetings, but tonight I’ve allowed everyone to keep theirs. After what happened at my penthouse, I’m no longer comfortable cutting myself off from my men for even an hour.
Elena walks into the room beside me. Not behind me. The distinction is deliberate, and every man at the table notices.
Volkov is already seated, his expression unreadable as he watches us approach. Lorenzo stands near the head of the table speaking quietly with Declan, while Santiago pours himself a drink from the bar. Nobody looks pleased to have been summoned with almost no warning.
They’ll be considerably less pleased when Elena starts talking.
She carries her laptop beneath one arm. She hasn't slept enough, and neither have I. There is still a faint bruise around her wrist from the man who tried to drag her from my penthouse. The cuff of her blouse hides most of it, but I see the mark whenever she moves.
Every time I do, something cold twists inside me. I pull out the chair beside mine for her.
Santiago notices.
"Your accountant is staying?"
Elena places her laptop on the table before I can answer, and pins him with a glare.
His eyebrow rises.
Volkov's mouth twitches, but Santiago doesn't share his amusement.
"This is a Crown meeting."
"I'm aware." She responds without giving him any further explanation.
"Then perhaps somebody should explain why you're here."
I take my seat beside her. "Because she's the reason we're having one."
Santiago looks at me. "Adrianos."
"Elena stays."
"That isn't how this works."
"Tonight it is."
