Page 123 of Fall Before Her Throne

“Yes,” I answered, thinking of one man in particular who could become central to our plans. “Among others. People whom I think we can use.”

Max braced his forearms on his knees. “How can I help? I might be on the run for my life, but I was a successful businessman. I’m known in New York’s elite social circles.”

“Meet me in the study after the meeting, and we’ll discuss tactics,” I said.

He nodded before he sat back against the couch again. Now that Max was committed to us, I allowed myself a little more trust. He had been a cunning and powerful Don. The two of us together could find the strategic advantage in this war.

“We should also go after their capos,” Caspian said. “Hit wherever we can catch them. I have some ideas about where they might be, especially if they’ve taken over the old Vero territory. I know those streets like the back of my hand.”

“Work with Giulio,” I said. “Ryuji, you as well. I want you two leading our efforts on the streets.”

Ryuji grinned. “Nice. The dynamic duo, at it again.”

Caspian rolled his eyes. “Our other problem is the question of reinforcements. If we’re going to put up a solid fight, we need more men.”

“We have the Russians and the Irish,” Leona said. “Fallon can’t leave Philadelphia undefended for long, but she’ll help if we need it.”

“There’s also Anton Felix,” Wynn said.

“I have already asked Anton Felix to join us, with more men and supplies,” I said. I’d reached out to him last night, and his response was an immediate yes.

Both Caspian and Ryu sank deeper into their chairs with a shared grumble. Ryuji whispered something low in Caspian’s ear, and he crossed his arms in response with a tense nod.

“What?” Max asked. “What’s wrong with Anton Felix?”

Leona barked a laugh. “Oh, nothing.”

“He likes Leona,” Ryu said, a knife suddenly in his hand. “A lot.”

Max’s eyebrows knitted together. “Seriously?”

Leona shook her head. “The guys are jealous of literally nothing. Felix is our employee, and he’s only ever been respectful.”

I scratched my head with a sigh. “Leona made an…impression on him the last time we were in Los Angeles.”

When we’d confronted Kofler for betraying us, we’d also captured Felix. After Felix had watched us skin Kofler alive and Leona stab him in the heart, Felix swore his loyalty to her. He’d seemed immediately taken with her, and it had put both Ryu and me on edge ever since.

“Don’t you start too, Max,” Leona warned. She slid into my lap. She palmed my cheek and brushed her nose against mine. “Felix will help us. He’ll do whatever we ask him to do.”

“I’m counting on it,” I said. “That doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.”

“I’m not happy about it,” Ryu said.

Leona shushed him with her finger over her mouth and then blew him a raspberry. I squeezed her ass in warning. More images of her punishment flicked before my eyes, so I let her dig herself into an even bigger hole.

“Once Felix arrives with our reinforcements, we’ll be more of a force on the ground,” Wynn said. “Hit their capos to wither away at Greco’s security. Tire his forces out. Meanwhile, we’ll try to get our own friends in high places to help protect us. We’ll finally use Obi’s contacts.”

“Correct,” I said. “That’s the plan for now. Weaken them, protect ourselves. Go in for the kill when there’s an opening.”

“Okay,” Leona said. “But Chiara first. Tonight.”

“Chiara first.”

We split up in order to get to work. Caspian and Ryuji started communicating with Giulio and our allies. Leona, Ciel, and Wynn began work on our systems to hit back against Lucia. Max followed me to the study.

In the back of my mind, my last-resort plan waited. I hoped I wouldn’t have to use it. I hoped we didn’t get there.

But if our circumstances got worse, I might not have any choice.