Lorenzo nodded. “Noted.”
“We appreciate the apology,” Dom said. “And I’d prefer not to dwell on it anymore. It really wasn’t a fond memory.”
“How’d you avoid dying by the grenade?” Levin asked, breaking his silence.
“Cole threw it,” Ethan said. “It was an experience I don’t care to repeat. My ears are still ringing.”
“Fuck up again, and I’ll deliver that shit to your door,” I said.
Dom shot me a look, and I quieted down.
“It won’t be that way,” Lorenzo said firmly. “We want an alliance. We know the lords are after our asses. We know your old man is too, Dominic. We also know you’re in the same tight spot. We could help one another.”
Dom surveyed him wordlessly.
“We aren’t going to fuck you over,” Fox said. “We have just as much to lose. And we have a girl. Lives. People we love. We just want to make shit work. That’s all.”
“I have connections,” Lorenzo offered softly. “You think you got that weapons deal from Vander Veer based on your German’s good looks alone? Or that I knew where you’d be and when you’d be there the night I got your girl?”
Dom frowned, and I stepped forward.
“What do you mean?” Levin asked.
“Celeste came to the lords and told us where Dom and B would be,” Fallon said, frowning.
“You’re a lord.” Lorenzo widened his eyes at Fallon. “That explains a few things we were trying to figure out.”
Fallon visibly swallowed. Dom narrowed his eyes.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Dom demanded.
“I can’t reveal all my secrets just yet,” Lorenzo said, shrugging. “I need to know you guys arein.”
“And I need to know what the fuck I’m in for. You kidnapped my wife. You tried to kill Vincent,” Dom shot back.
“They’re assholes, but I think you can trust them,” Bianca said. “They want to save Rosalie. They’ll do whatever they have to. That includes an alliance—”
“Wasp,” Dom growled, turning to glare at her. “Quiet.”
“You don’t let her speak?” Ethan asked, frowning. He glanced from Dom to Bianca, who bowed her head.
It may have looked like deference to someone outside our circle, but those of us within it knew she was just gearing up. She was trying to control her fury.
Levin noticed and rubbed her back gently. He leaned down to whisper something in her ear.
“She speaks when her words are warranted,” Dom said. “Tonight, my wife has caused enough trouble. Tonight, her silence is needed.”
“That’s fucked up,” Cole mumbled. “I like talking to her. She’s. . .interesting. Aside from her shooting me.”
“Not our business. Dominic does what he must with his own. Focus,” Lorenzo said, shooting a look to B I couldn’t decipher. It almost looked like pity.
“Continue.” Dom shot B a warning look.
She wasn’t looking at him though. She was staring down at her hands twisting in her lap.
“I propose we continue on as enemies to the outside world. But on the inside, we exchange information and fight together. If we beat the fuckers who are after us, we can split the city. Fifty-fifty. We’d have peace. We’d offer you an in with our sugar enterprise. You can help us push it out. Get the addicting shit off the streets. Save some lives in the process.”
Dom nodded thoughtfully.