Page 121 of Green Ravens

“The Whites have no reason to trust us,” Corvo said what they were all probably thinking. “So why in the hell do you think they’d want to join us?”

“We have to give them a reason to stop running. No one wants to be looking over their shoulders for the rest of their lives.”

Jo looked over the vast warehouse.

“But we’re not ready to move yet. Not as we should be. Departments are still setting up. Weapons are still inbound. Equipment, armor, field tech, none of it is operational. So, I’m giving this recommendation to the six of you.” Jo stared at them. “Take a short hiatus. Rest, live, go axe throwing, whatever the hell it is you do for fun.”

Valor liked the sound of that. He wondered if Jo would let them go back to that cabin she owned.

“In the meantime, I’ll take the lead with Virginia, Marcus, Glitch, and the others. We’ll try to track the Whites.”

Her voice softened. “I don’t want any of you to live with war every day.”

She closed a leather file case and took a deep breath.

“That’s all I have for now. If any of you have questions, concerns, needs…please speak freely.”

Grace leaned into Mirage again—lips close to his ear but not moving.

Valor frowned.What the fuckin’ fuck?He could not figure Grace out.

Mirage seemed to speak for both of them.

“We’re in, Jo. We signed up for the Ravens to help and save lives. And if that’s what you’re offering us…then you have our loyalty.”

Ex pulled back his hood, revealing handsome, sharp features and haunting gray eyes.

“If this is real, Jo. I’m in.”

Everyone nodded.

Meridian stepped forward and time slowed as the atmosphere shifted to a somber mood.

He pulled back the midnight hood of his calf-length cashmere trench.

Mouths dropped open.

His onyx eyes burned beneath long black lashes, almost hypnotic in their depth. Oil black hair was slicked back and curled at the ends. He had smooth, tawny skin, kissed by shadows, and a firm jaw edged with stubble.

He parted his full lips as if he was on the verge of saying something dangerous but never spoke.

He moved toward Jo, walking as if time owed him something.

As if he lived for dramatic effect, Meridian casually pulled an obsidian cigarette case from his inside jacket pocket. He put a black cigarette with a gold filter between his lips and lit it with a monogrammed Zippo.

Valor almost rolled his eyes. He’d heard of Meridan’s over-the-top, extravagant taste. From his hair products to his jet-black Armani suit to his Gucci shoes.

For fuck’s sake.

The first drag was long and intimate, as if being savored.

The scent of sweet cloves wove through the air like incense from Ares’s temple.

“Any time now, lover,” Ex interrupted the theatrical scene.

“I’ve killed more people than I’ve spoken to,” he said, voice gravelly and low. “Some for duty. Some for mere pleasure. Some because I wanted to see what happened when I stopped pretending I had a soul.”

Another drag, another drawn-out exhale.

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