Page 143 of Airborne

“You interfered in the expansion of my empire and in the distribution of my supply,” Antonella said. “The demon energy—we were getting it from the wraith. I don’t supposeyouhave a method for extracting it?”

“Sorry, no,” I said, not at all minding the sharp edge carved into my smile. “I’m keeping my business inside these walls.”

She scoffed. “Lording over a band of strippers? That’s your move?”

“It’s not a move,” I retorted. “Maslow hired me to get his foot in the door on Fairmont. And you’re hardly in a position to cast aspersions considering you hired him too.”

She bristled and turned aside. “That was different.”

“I fail to see how.”

“It’s different,” she said tightly. “Becauseyouhave what you want, andIdo not. So how are we going to rectify this situation?”

I shrugged. “We’re not.”

She tilted her head, causing her hoops earrings to sway. “Then you’re determined to stand in my way?”

I met her stare, steady. “I’m right where I’m supposed to be. On my side of the street. In my lane. What areyoudoing?”

Her red lips curled faintly. “Reaching, Lucas.”

Once, I’d reached too. Got my hand slapped for it. It was the worst pain I’d ever felt, and it certainly didn’t wound me to watch the same thing happen to her.

At her side, Stefano still hadn’t said a damn word.

“What about you?” I asked him, irritation prickling up the back of my neck. “Do you have anything to add, or are you just here to hold down the floor?”

Stefano’s brow furrowed. “Perhaps we can find a solution that works for everyone. Maslow was taking more energy than we needed. Surely your…employeeswould rather give a bit than have something…” His tongue flicked out in a nervous lick of his lips. “Everythingtaken.”

I stared at him for a long beat, working my jaw. I knew a threat when I heard one, but it stung a bit worse coming from him.

He didn’t meet my gaze.

Of course he didn’t.

So I faced his sister instead.

“Go back to your casino, Antonella,” I said. “Nurse your withdrawals. You won’t be getting anything else from me or my boys.”

She looked like she might press the issue, but Stefano shifted beside her, and that movement seemed to breakwhatever hold she had on the moment. With one last look, unreadable and icy, she turned.

Stefano followed.

Their wings skimmed the doorframe as they left, feathers catching the light with a shimmer that didn’t belong in this world—certainly not in my office. Then the door closed behind them, and they were gone.

Silence followed, thick and suffocating. I crossed the room and locked the door out of sheer spite, then leaned back against it and drew a long, labored breath.

Let them come knocking again.

Let them threaten and talk.

But the second they touched what was mine, there would be nothing left to talk about.