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“What gave you that idea? Our history shows we literally tell people to commit suicide rather than surrender. We choose death over defeat. For some, defeat is simply having someone else in charge over another. Don’t spin it because of all the bowing and respecting the elders. We’re just as messed up a culture as all the others.” She looks back at her paperwork with a shake of her head.

The room settles into silence till Vinny breaks it with a muttered “I blame Eve.”

I see Natalie look up skeptically. “As in Adam and Eve?” When Vinny nods, she folds her arms across her body and leans back in her chair. “Because of the damn apple? Come on. Adam had a choice. He chose not to make his own. If anything, that just proves that women can easily manipulate men. Which should be a good sign for me, thinking I can fill the shoes of just about every male before me.” She waves her hand around the table as if all these papers somehow give her clemency for what’s coming.

“At least you’re thinking positively about this,” Vinny chirps as he takes a seat.

“Ha. Yeah, it’s all I have right now.” She runs her fingers through her hair, and I see a mild frustration in her eyes when they stop short because she cut it. “My dumb optimism that perhaps I won’t really screw this up. Guess being kidnapped a few times taught me how to look on the bright side of things at least.”

She takes a breath as the room grows quiet. She rubs her hands over her eyebrows, and I wonder if it’s too late to get her some Advil for what I’m sure is a pounding headache.

“Okay, so we’re signing over the buildings. Now what?” Natalie glances around the room at us three, landing last on Vinny, as he seems to know more about taking over the family business than the rest of us.

“We wait for Gramps to die. In the meantime, you’ll seek counsel from him, but really, the decisions will come from you,” Gina says as she walks in. She settles in the chair next to Natalie, propping her feet up on the table, only to have them gently pushed off by my girl.

I’m not sure if I trust Gina, but so far, she might be the only one here who isn’t actively trying to kill Sunshine. And while we haven’t found anyone with a gun aimed at Natalie yet, Vinny and Takahashi-san believe it’s only a matter of time. Which is why Vinny’s men are covering security for us for the moment while we stay in here. Once we’re done, he’ll leave, as will his men, and then we’ll know what we’re truly up against.

If someone is planning to go after Natalie before she takes over, or shortly after, we’re prepared enough to handle it. Though I would much prefer the other option, that no one is so stupid to come for her. Then I’d have fewer headaches from thinking I might not be able to protect her like I want.

“You think that’s wise? Why not just have him lead it for a while?” I ask since I still don’t get how all this works.

For Hounds, it’s simple: You get voted in, and you take on the role. No one mentors you, not officially. But each member of the club gives you help.

Guess that’s the part I don’t get. Hounds are loyal to one another because of the patch we wear. The Yakuza seem to only be loyal to a select few, based on which family or even just one family member can help them.

“No, we need to establish that Natalie is in control, and I am only here to advise. Nothing more. For anyone who is not on one side or the other, they might be persuaded to our side upon seeing that,” Takahashi-san speaks up.

“Or to the other side,” Natalie mumbles.

Gina nods. “Sure, that could happen.”

Natalie stares at her for a moment, taking in her no-nonsense demeanor and lack of filter. “You’re such the chipper type,” she says with more sarcasm than heat in her words.

Gina smiles wide. “Thanks.”

Natalie shakes her head, but does so with a smile, then looks back at Vinny. “What else?”

“You need allies.”

She nods. “I agree.”

“The Hounds will stand by you,” I declare with pride. However, Natalie doesn’t seem so sure.

“Think Casper will go for it?”

I don’t know if she questions my ability to say yes for the club, or if Casper would be willing after the fallout of her leaving and getting kidnapped and everything else since I claimed her as my old lady. She has some right to be fearful of him possibly declining. She hasn’t been the easiest to get along with at the clubhouse, but she only does so when someone talks to her. Otherwise, she stays away.

“It’s a smart move. Plus, old lady status has its perks. Like knowing the club will back you without having to ask. But we can still get him on the phone to confirm.” I swore long ago that with Natalie, I will always give her the option to find things out on her own. I won’t force a decision on her, unless it affects her safety. That’s one thing I won’t budge on.

I watch her think it over before she nods. “Yeah, I would like to talk to him. I just want to make sure he’s on board and understands the risks involved. I might not like everyone over there, but there are kids involved with them. I’m not the kind of person who wants to put them in harm’s way just so I can get something.” Her eyes flash to her grandfather for a second before looking back at me. “But the Hounds allying with me if this goes south might be smart. At the least, they can make sure you’re safe.”

“Hounds can protect themselves.” I look her in the eye, not blinking as I add, “And so can I.” She hasn’t seen me fight, not really. All she has is my word and then witnessing me get shot three times when she was taken and sent off to Colombia. I bet the visual she has of me isn’t grand, but she’s wrong. I fight tooth and nail when I have to.

Lately, all I’ve had to fight for is time. Time with her to see how things could be and should be. Time that’s gone—actions are all that matters now.

“As can the Leone famiglia,” Vinny says with a hard expression and force behind it as well. The man isn’t backing away from this, from the looks of it. I would be jealous if he hadn’t already told us he was getting married. And if I thought for an instant that Natalie would be interested in him. But she’s not. She likes me. Not that she’s said as much. It’s just a feeling.

A hope.