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“No, you’re not. You helped save me. You kept me strong. You kept me from drinking when Luca was hurt. You’re making up for everything now by being who you are meant to be, their leader. Romano is the cause of my pain and Luca’s. I forgive you, Frankie. If that’s what you need to hear, but I didn’t blame you in the first place. My dad fucked up and Romano did, too. You hurt as much as I did.”
The knot of anger I hold for them tightens, knowing she needs this as much as I do. “I’ll make sure it fucking hurts him, don’t you worry.”
She laughs with a little hiccup.
“Come on.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder. “I am sorry, Rosa. For what it’s worth. If I could turn back time and change what happened, know that I would. All I can offer you is revenge.”
“Luca deserves his revenge too, Rosa. For you both. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
He might have handed control over to me. He made me their leader, but I understand his need for blood. Revenge for his brother, the only family he has left.
“I get it. You better come back this time. That, and I want my uncle Frankie back, my friend.” She looks up at me with a mischievous smile, just like she used to when she wanted ice cream after school.
“Easy.”
“Hey, don’t I get an apology yet?” Grayson calls out behind me, throwing on a black t-shirt.
“You’ll be waiting a long time for that, G. The bullet hole I’ve got in my shoulder is good enough.”
He rolls his eyes at me and slams his hand over the wound with a tap. “You’re still dwelling on that?”
“Yes, and I will for as long as I see fit. Or you take a bullet for me.”
It’s completely plausible in our line of work.
Grayson gives me a lopsided grin and turns to Rosa. “Maddie’s got the kids settled while Sienna is at the hospital. She said she’s put on some film called Bridesmaids for you guys to watch?”
A smile erupts on Rosa’s face. Despite everything, she is happy.
The hundreds of men fall silent as me and Grayson step out onto the patio. I find Zara and pull her into my side. “You good, baby?”
“Now I am.” She snugs herself against me.
We form a line in front of the crowd, with Jax to my left and Luca and Grayson to my right.
“As you all know, everything we’ve worked for is falling into place. This is our opportunity to end this war and come home victorious. If we don’t, we’re fucked. I won’t lose any more of my family. We can’t. So I need you to fight for your lives, fight for your families, for our future. Because we will rule New York. I can’t do that without each and every single one of you.”
I can feel the nervous energy from them. Hell, I feel it in my core. I know as well as they do, it’s possible that we will come under attack after wiping out the commissioner. Romano will be desperate. I don’t know if I’ll be walking away from this.
I’ve come to terms with that.
One thing I am sure of is, if I go, I’m dragging that fucker down to hell with me.
“Now, I understand, this is the biggest ask I’ve had to make of you yet. I’m giving you all one chance to walk away. No questions asked. If you can’t fight for me, now is your only chance to leave with no repercussions.”
I feel Grayson’s glare on me, but I can’t have men who aren’t prepared to die for me on this task. It’s either all in or nothing. I’m trusting Grayson and Keller have only bought in the best, most bloodthirsty killers there are.
I cross my arms across my chest, the icy breeze blowing in my face as I look at the men before me.
I need their trust and loyalty.
Not a single person moves.
“You did a good fucking job here, G.” I turn to him.
He chuckles. “Never doubt me, you want an army? That’s what I’ll give you.”
I turn back to the sea of faces.
