“How do you think they figured out where you went?”

“Someone must’ve seen me going for the back door, and, I don’t know... It’s a good thing they didn’t see you.”

“Yeah,” he said. “I guess they expected you to run and have a car ready for escape, but they didn’t expect me.”

“We should’ve had Meg’s friend tape the key somewhere else. The car might’ve been there too long, so someone figured it out. We’ll check out what she says, though, just in case.” I still didn’t believe Meg would intentionally put me in danger. Our plan had been risky to begin with, so it was a good thing we were still alive.

“My phone... It’s somewhere inside. I need to...”

James looked through the window. “I see it.” He went to grab the phone and tossed it to me.

“I’ll text Meg so she can send someone to try to get rid of this car before the cops find it.” I was glad the phone was still working, so I typed up a quick message.

James snaked his arm around my waist, his lips finding mine. My shoulders instantly relaxed and I gave him a long, exploring kiss.

“What are we going to do now?” I asked after we broke apart.

“I don’t know. See who’s next in line?”

I slapped him lightly on the shoulder and rolled my eyes. “Please don’t. We don’t need more enemies.”

“Okay, then I guess we’ll figure something out.” His eyes sparkled, and I couldn’t resist planting one more kiss on his lips.

We’d won. We’d actually defeated one of my worst enemies—after Desmond Ezzati, of course, who’d always hold the number one spot. I just hoped no one would be willing to take Romeo’s place.

Chapter 27

“ARE YOU SURE THIS IS what you want to do?” Meg eyed me suspiciously. “You know this could blow up in our faces, right?”

“I don’t want control over the Desaltis’ area too, and I know Marianta Panas. She won’t want to expand into our territory and cause us trouble. Besides, our deal strictly forbids her from doing that.” I couldn’t stretch my rule over the whole city, because that would be too much work and it would leave us open to attacks from anyone who might get an idea to move here.

Marianta was Hugo’s wife’s cousin, and even though I’d met her only once, I knew Hugo had trusted her. My father had actually needed Marianta’s help once with an important shipment, so I was sure she had ties and connections that could benefit both of our businesses.

“If you say so,” she said.