the canteen, causing Mila to put some space between us.
It’s just before 6 a.m., and they look as tired as I feel. Cristian takes in the sweatpants and cocks his brow. “How’s the leg?”
“Fine,” I grit out. “What’s the lowdown?”
Trey stands beside him, judgement evident in his eyes. “We managed to round up enough numbers to make a difference, and the gun shipment arrived at your house last night.”
“We have numbers too.” They wait for her to elaborate. “The women here, they have their own weapons, and they’re more than willing to help us end this.”
Cristian snorts. “Women?”
Damn, I feel for him.
Mila looks back to him so fast, her neck cracks in two different places. “Yes, women. It’s been a long night, so I suggest you keep your sexism to yourself.”
He doesn’t argue with her, but falls into a chair across the table from us.
Not wanting them to start a new feud, I ask him, “What activity was around Mila’s estate when you drove back into the city?”
“It was quiet, but the drive was lined with expensive cars. Whoever’s taken it over has the power in running this.”
Trey sits at Mila’s side and places his hand on hers. The tic in my right eye dances a merry fucking jig at the sight of it. But when she withdraws it, he gets the hint to stay the fuck away.
“We’ll take it back, Mila,” he assures her. “I promise.”
Sometimes, I wonder if he knows her as well as I’ve assumed he does, given how long and how closely they’ve worked together.
She stands and looks down at me.
“We’ll use your house as a base. I don’t want this place being targeted because of us. I’ll speak with Gabriella, and then we’ll leave.”
I’m thankful they helped us in our hour of need, but I’ll be more comfortable in my own home.
She’s no more than twenty feet away when I lean across to Trey, making my intentions clear.
“From now on, no more touching Mila. You’re her employee and that’s it.”
Tensing, he shoots up from his seat. I mirror his actions, but I’m not as fast, thanks to my leg. He stands there, narrowing his eyes into slits while grinding his jaw, but he says nothing.
“If you’ve got something to say, say it now, because after tonight, shit’s going to change.”
“I take orders from Jamila, not you.”
“I’m not giving you an order, I’m outright threatening you. I’m letting you know she’s with me now, and if I see you all touchy feely with her again, I’ll have your hands cut from your wrists and shoved up your ass.”
He wants to come at me, to throw the first punch. But being the pussy he is, he backs off.
With a bored sigh, Cristian taunts, “Run along, Trey. Nobody wants to clean up your blood this early in the morning.”
The prick listens to the good advice, muttering something about waiting in the car, and I sit back down.
“Now that you’re done pissing on your girl, can you explain to me how a bunch of women are going to save us?”
I smirk, grateful Mila wasn’t around to hear him. All I need now is to have her back and them locking horns.
“I suppose time will tell, Cousin.”
If he truly wants an answer, he can ask himself.
I watch her every move, struggling to look away from her for even a moment, and relax when she walks back over.
“Where’s Trey gone?” she asks, flicking her eyes between us.
“He went to wait in the car. Something about the stench of urine in the air,” Cristian informs her cockily.
Ignoring him, she holds her hand out toward me. “Let’s go. Gabriella and Lila will wait for further instructions.”
I could walk without her, but I take her hand, taking any excuse to have her close, and we head out the same way we entered. Trey is already sitting up front, but Mila doesn’t question why.
The sun is beginning to rise, but the dusk still offers us a level of security as we drive across the city.
“It worries me as to why it’s so quiet,” Mila murmurs. “It makes me wonder how many of our men have died.”
The empathy she feels for people, people she hasn’t met, astounds me, and I reach for her hand. Entwining my fingers with hers, I try to assure her, it isn’t as bleak as it seems.
“Make calls, and have everyone come to the house. It’s about time we’re all on the same page moving forward.”