Page 12 of Black Reign

Blood is overrated anyway.

I've seen families sell one another for considerably less than a Blackwell stock option.

Leo and Tristan are my brothers because we chose it.

Because there are things we've done for each other nobody else knows.

Things we'll carry to graves separated by oceans, wives, children, careers, whatever comes next.

I would do anything for them.

Which is why I can't skip this wedding.

They'll all be there.

Leo.

Vale.

Drew.

Kane.

Jade.

The old and new crew in one place again.

But first there would be a bachelor party. Leo and Vale would ensure it.

I haven't seen some of them in far too long.

It’ll be an excuse to stay stateside until my father bids me back to Europe and Blackwell Inc. Whatever mess is currently brewing inside the empire I'm eventually expected to inherit.

There will always be another encrypted file.

Another breach.

Another politician.

Another board member.

Another piece of information somebody desperately wants buried.

Blackwell doesn't sleep.

Neither do I, apparently.

I lift the invitation.

+ Guest.

My thumb traces the edge.

Vesper's lower lip flashes through my mind again.

Ridiculous.

I set the invitation beside the fire.