Page 105 of Princess of Vengeance

“Don’t underestimate desperate men,” I warn, remembering too many times I’ve seen cornered rats turn deadly. “We’ll deal with Zoey and Stefan and whoever is left of the Tyrants when we can do it on our terms. Right now, we focus on rebuilding and getting our business back up and running. Priority number one is making sure we have the resources for whatever comes next.”

The men nod, understanding what I’m not saying outright—that “whatever comes next” involves getting Quinn away from Malcolm Mercer permanently. And likely burying the bastard somewhere no one will ever find him.

“That’s it for today,” I say, rolling up the map. “Keep your heads down and your eyes open. I want daily reports.”

They file out one by one, each with their assignments. Kendrick lingers, his massive frame filling the doorway as the others leave.

“We’re making progress,” he says. “Faster than I expected.”

“Not fast enough,” I mutter.

His eyes—surprisingly perceptive for a man who looks like he solves most problems with his fists—study me carefully. “We’ll get her back, Nico. I don’t have any doubts about it.”

I don’t ask how he knows what’s eating at me. It’s probably written all over my face, just like it probably has been since the day Malcolm took her.

“Yeah,” I say, standing up so I can clap him on the shoulder. “We will. Now get going. Check in tomorrow.”

After the door closes behind him, I sit back down at the table and stare at nothing in particular. The house is too fucking quiet with Atlas and Killian gone, but they’re out checking on a lead, and the quiet gives me too much time to think. To remember Quinn’s face the last time I saw her and how fucking much I miss her.

I slam my fist on the table, frustrated that I can’t do more right this fucking second. I need to make sure that when this is all over, I can keep her safe. That I have the means, the men, and the fucking firepower to make sure no one ever threatens her again.

A knock at the door—Quinn’s knock—pulls me from my thoughts. Is she really here? Have I thought about her so damn much that my mind is playing tricks on me? This is too much of a coincidence to be real… right?

I grab my gun from where it’s tucked into the waistband of my pants and move silently to the door. I look through the peephole, and as soon as I see who’s on the other side, a smile splits my face.

It really is her.

I tuck my gun away, then unlock the door and yank it open. I pull her close to me, checking over her shoulder up and down the street at the same time before slamming the door closed again.

“Mia cara.” I breathe her in like fucking oxygen.

Her hair is pulled back in a messy ponytail, teal strands mixed with the dark brown of her roots. She’s wearing a simple black tank top and jeans, nothing special, but still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

“You’re really here.”

“You know I’ll always come back.”

My mouth finds hers in a desperate kiss that I trust to say everything I can’t put into words. I palm the back of her head, fingers tangling in her hair as I breathe her in again.

The familiar scent of honey and jasmine fills my lungs, but beneath it is something else—a man’s cologne, expensive and subtle—that has to be Malcolm’s scent on her skin.

Something dark and violent surges through me, nearly cracking my control. The thought of his hands and mouth on her makes me want to burn this fucking city to the ground until I find him.

I break the kiss, gritting my teeth as I fight to keep my rage in check. She doesn’t need that from me right now. She needs me steady, focused.

“I didn’t think you’d be able to come back so soon, with everything you have going on,” I say instead. “Is everything okay?”

“It’s time,” she says, offering a faint but hopeful smile as she looks up at me. “We’re making our move against Malcolm.”

The sound of his name coming from her lips almost distracts me from the good news. “Tell me everything.”

“Elliot called in his votum at the meeting today. He’s setting Malcolm up.” The words tumble out of her in a rush. “Malcolm’s going to meet with some crime boss from New York, Ronan Kane. He’ll go alone, no guards. That’s when the rest of the Syndicate will take him down.”

“Thank fuck.” The sense of relief I feel is so intense it makes my knees weak. “When?”

“Soon. Really soon. We still need to work out some details, but it’s happening, Nico.” She grips my arms, her fingers digging into my biceps. “It’s really happening.”

I cup her face in my hands, studying her. There are shadows under her eyes, and tension lines around her mouth that weren’t there before. But she’s still fucking fighting.

---