"Yes, Boyd is one of the larger threats to the industry," Axel said to Kian. They were seated at opposite ends of the table, both at the heads. Colby was next to me. We'd made it through the dinner with mostly small talk, but were starting to get into the business side of everything.
"And would you say you agree, angel?" Kian asked. My eyes shot over to see Kian staring at me, challenging Axel's opinion and calling me angel in front of everyone. Bastard. He was lucky I actually had a legitimate opinion on the subject.
"No, actually. I don't agree," I said.
"And why not?" asked Kian. I looked a at Axel and gave him a small shrug before returning my gaze to Kian and responding.
"He's not dangerous. Just stupid. Although those things sometimes go hand in hand, the guy just needs an actual boss. He thinks he can manage himself, but he can't. He makes a significant income and managed to cut his team's losses in half in the last trimester alone. Boyd just needs to learn to use his words instead of his gun when something goes wrong," I said. Kian let out a loud laugh when I said that.
"Oh, man. She's giving you a run for your money here, Axel," Kian said.
"Believe me, it is not the first time," Axel said.
"Please, explain," Kian said.
"Let's just say that she's always had a skill for this kind of thing," Axel said.
"Well that was boring. Saturn, you explain instead," Kian ordered. I didn't like him telling me what to do, but I needed to listen for things to run smoothly.
"Hm, I'm not really sure what to explain. Oh, I guess I could explain the time Axel shot me," I said.
"What!" exclaimed JC. "He shot you?"
"She shot him back," said Trixie.
"Yeah, in the foot. Axel barely grazed Saturn's ass," said Stone, one of the many other people sitting at the table. Everyone let out a short laugh.
"Girl doesn't play," Colby said.
"Maybe not with you," Kian said, winking at me.
Aw, shit. That was going to piss Colby off.
"Anyway, let's talk about how...," Kian started. I ignored him and focused on Colby, trying to listen to his thoughts.
Not with me? I'm fucking Satan. I'll fucking kill you any day. She's mine and I'm hers. Forever. I love her even more than you seem to love yourself, you conceited asshole.
"Colby. Chill," I said. Sound barely escaped my mouth, but he'd heard me at full volume because of our Summoning ability.
"And what do you think about that, Saturn?" I heard Kian ask. I looked up at him again.
"Why do you want to know what I think about all of this? I'm not in the game anymore. Axel and Trixie are, though. Their answers will be better than mine," I said, annoyed that he seemed to want my input on every little thing.
"Why do I want to know your opinion? Because you were doing an exceptional job and I'd like to learn as much as I can," Kian said.
"Well, I have to respect you for that answer. Not a lot of people take me seriously," I said.
"What a shame. I think you have a lot to offer. You sure you don't want back in? I don't think JC and I would mind letting someone else into the position," Kian said.
"I'm sure," I said. I wanted him to move on and stop paying so much attention to me.
"Why are you so against joining this again? You were legendary at it and I wouldn't mind having someone like you at my side for everything," Kian said. I knew that was going to piss Colby off again.
"I'm sure JC is more than sufficient, no?" I asked.
"Answer my question," Kian said, ignoring mine.
"Kian, man. Girl's young. She's allowed to move on," said Axel.
"I know, I justâ,"
"Lawley. Seriously. Leave her be," said Trixie, cutting Kian off. Lawley was probably his last name. Shitty idea for a cover name.
"Or else what?" Kian asked, raising an eyebrow. Everyone was completely silent and Axel and Trixie avoided Kian's gaze. "That's what I thought. So, angel. Again, why did you leave? Why won't you come back?"
I could Urge him right now. But I couldn't Urge everyone here to just let it go with no questions asked.
"I told you. I have a new group of people to take care of," I said, hoping he'd accept my vague answer.
"And who is this group of people? What might they be called?" he asked.
"The Octet," Colby said, letting me know that humans wouldn't be able to figure out what exactly that meant.
"Ah, so there's eight of you, I take it? Is Colby one of your little workers?" Kian asked. He looked past me at Colby. "Is she in charge of you, big guy?" Kian mocked. What an asshole.
"What, scared of women with a little power?" Colby asked. Damn it, Colby. I could push Kian a little bit considering my status and his interest in me, but Colby certainly couldn't.
"No, I'm not scared of hardly anything. But you should be. Of me, specifically," Kian said. We needed to get out of there.
"Axel, can I talk to you for a moment?" I asked, distracting everyone from the harsh conversation that was slowly escalating. Axel's eyes widened with a sort of relief and he quickly nodded.
"Yes, of course. Trix, come with us," Axel said, patting her hand. Shit.
"You too, Colby," I said, standing up.
"May I ask what the concern is?" Kian asked.
"Yes, you may ask. But I will not be answering," I said. God, did I hate this guy.
"Backyard is through the kitchen. It'll give you a private place to talk," JC said with a smile. JC was wonderful. I wondered how he'd gotten stuck with Kian.
The four of us made our way out into the backyard and found ourselves on a small deck, vines growing over the windows thus blocking the line of sight between the people inside and us outside.
"What'd you want to discuss?" asked Axel.
"Absolutely nothing, I just didn't want anyone's head to get ripped off," I said.
"Oh, good. Me too. I was about to do the same thing if you didn't," said Axel.
"You guys really want them in charge of this?" I asked.
"They're from Boston. Heard LA needed a new head, so they abandoned their leadership role in Boston and headed on over," said Trixie.
"They're good. Really good," said Axel.
"Yeah, and they're not too bad to look at, either," said Trixie.
"Babe!" Axel said.
"What! Tell me part of the reason Jupiter was so successful wasn't because of how she looks. The trade is about skill, but looks help you get a little bit farther and you know it," Trixie said.
"I suppose," Axel sighed.
"You two could certainly run a ring," Trixie said, looking at me and Colby.
"What, us? Together?" Colby asked.
"You sure do look like you'd make a great team," Axel said, agreeing with Trixie. "But I understand that Colby's not a part of this stuff. You'd be pretty great at balancing out Kian, though. You'd work together really well."
"I have no interest in doing anything with or for Kian," I said.
"You didn't have any interest in doing anything with me either, but clearly it put you on a path to success," Axel pointed out.
"Yeah, after you fucking shot me and caused me to temporarily remove myself from the ring and struggle on my own for a few months," I said.
"Oh no, not this again," Trixie mumbled. Axel and I had gotten into a few fights over the time we worked together, and they always ended the same. With me reigning triumphant and Axel backing down in shame then avoiding me for a couple of days until he wasn't upset anymore.
"Come on, Colby. Let's go back in. They'll be out here for a moment," Trixie sighed. Colby shot a look at me, begging me to ask him to stay. But if Colby stayed, Trixie might stay, and we needed to get Axel alone.
"I'll meet you inside later, dude," I said, again trying to imply that Colby was nothing more than another acquaintance. I waited until they both went back inside and shut the door before turning back to hash it out with Axel.