Conspire

*Sandra*

It was difficult to sit and listen to all of this chaos from the room without coming out and giving my opinion. As soon as I knew Tommasso was gone I walked towards the office. Henry smiled at me as I walked by. "Hello Sunshine, it's nice to see your bright light today." He walked over and wrapped me up tightly in his arms. "I missed you too Chef. I am going to need a crepe soon, or some alfredo." I said winking up at him after he left me. He nodded at me as Joseph walked up and stole the attention in the foyer. He was not smiling. "This is getting out of hand. We are going to lose men if we don't nip it in the bud. I am over all of it. So what if we killed that fucking monster. He took my little brother and almost killed me. He tortured that poor girl we went to save, and worst of all, he wanted my queen." I watched as he paced back and forth. He wasn't talking to me, or Henry. He was talking to the groups of members scattered throughout the area. When he spoke to them everyone watched and listened. No one spoke or moved, or breathed heavily enough to take the focus off of him. *That is why he is the king* I thought, as I watched him demand respect and attention from every last person there. I wanted to clap for him, hug him, or just smile with pride for my man, but I knew this wasn't the right time. This was serious. This was war.
Finally, Zeus spoke up, "Everyone here find your brothers, the ones you have sponsored, and the ones who sponsored you. Stay close together, in groups, and keep each other safe from attack or ambush. These Italian pricks aren't taking any more blood from us." He stood tall and strong as he talked. I noticed he also had the respect of the men around him. Even Henry had started standing taller with his chest pushed out proudly. "Damn right." He said walking over to the men who just led the speech. "Every member needs to be vigilant. Keep yourself in the houses, no venturing out alone. Don't give them a chance, or a way in." I felt like Henry was aiming for the same respect as the others, but I could see some side glances.

Joseph must have noticed it as well. "You are right Henry", He looked around the room as his voice darkened, "Every member should do exactly that." Right after, almost like they were on a walkway, or planned it out, the three of them turned on heels and walked back to the office. I followed. When I walked into the room they all looked at me smiling. "Why?" I said looking from one to the next, "You looked like you were going to join us and give a speech of your darling." Joseph said walking over to me, still slow from his injuries. "I was, but Henry took the words out of my mouth," I said trying to boost his confidence a bit more. "You know what I think?" Henry said grinning at me, "I still think we made the right choice kidnapping you." Everyone laughed. Joseph shut the door and locked it behind him. I noticed Jay wasn't in there so I asked where he was. He explained that he had taken off to talk to all the guards at different houses. I nodded before sitting in my place at his desk. "Zeus, I want you to form a team of men that can go around and check all territories. I want to know if the Peak crew are setting up anywhere where they shouldn't be." He nodded and followed the orders immediately pulling out his phone and sending messages from it. "Henry, can you go and make us something to eat, I am hungry. I know my Sunshine is." Henry nodded, winked at me, and walked back out of the door shutting it behind him. "Any orders for me boss?" I asked giving him my best pouty look. He looked over at me licking his lips. "Not yet," he said darkly before looking me up and down. I felt my cheeks get warm and knew that I was blushing. I picked up my tablet to try and distract myself from the want to jump on him. I heard him chuckle and it made me giggle too. Zeus cleared his throat, shook his head, and told Joseph that he got ahold of a group of men to go check the territories. "Do you want me to go along with them?" He asked sounding like he wanted to go. "I could use you here Z, at least until Jay returns from his meeting." He nodded and looked back down to his phone.

"What do you need him for, you got me here to keep you protected," I said smiling at him. His face hardened some telling me I said something he didn't like. "I don't need protection darling." He said sharply. "It was a joke boss," I said getting up from the chair I was sitting him. It didn't make sense that I was offended by his response, but for some reason, I felt defensive as well. "I am going to go see how Henry is fairing with his army-sized meal." I didn't wait for a response before walking out of the door and heading toward the kitchen. I stood in the doorway for a moment before speaking. I remember the first day I got out of that room and saw the chef in the kitchen. He looked so at peace with himself there. Not as much in this one, but still seemed to be enjoying his science. "Hey Chef, do you know it usually takes a team of caterers to do what you are doing" I said walking inside and grabbing an apron. "LIghtweights, besides why would I need a team when I have you." He smiled and reached me a container of flour. "I am making crepes. Fast, filling, and delicious. If you wanna follow my recipe here, you could make some Belgium waffles to go along with all the toppings as well." He walked to me and handed me a small index card. The recipe was simple but sounded delicious. "Is this your recipe brother?" I said as I started to measure the flour. He nodded and continued mixing his cream cheese topping. "Wow, that's impressive Chef," I said knowing the smile on his face was full of pride. He told me to make the recipe quadrupled, so I had to use the calculator on the bar, which made him laugh at me. He walked over pulled out a pen, looked at the numbers, and wrote what I needed beside it. "The calculator was working," I said laughing and sticking out my tongue. He laughed and got back to work. "What are we having?" I heard Joseph in my ear and jumped forgetting I still had a comm in. "Crepes or waffles boss," Henry answered which was good because I didn't plan to. The comm went silent again.

We cooked for what felt like hours before everything was done. The line was set and ready for everyone to get what they wanted to eat. When men started feeling the room, I felt overcrowded so I headed to our room. I grabbed a crepe with cream cheese, strawberries, and glaze before heading out the door. I felt a hand on my arm and instinctively pulled away. "Hey, I'm sorry okay." It was Joseph. "I didn't mean to snap at you earlier. I am not used to feeling vulnerable and weak."I looked over at him and my heart sank. I didn't mean to take away from how strong he was. "You are the most powerful, strong, brave, wonderful man in the world. Even so, I will always protect you because I love you, just as you protect me." I stood up on my tippy toes and kissed his cheek. "You're right my Sunshine, I know." He said kissing me gently on the lips. This made me change course and head to the office instead. When I walked in it was empty. I sat down looking around. I took a deep breath trying to wrap my head around the last few months. I can't believe what we have faced and done in that small amount of time. I can't believe I am sitting here in a building in the city I used to drive by now and then with my windows up. I took a deep breath. Ryan, he's dead. I hadn't even really thought about him since. Does that make me a bad person? I took a bite of my crepe, the sweetness of the cream cheese topping and strawberry glaze brought me back into the presence. I don't know how Henry makes these things so flaky and good. He has shown me, and I still can't make them this good. When Joseph walked in with his waffles, I smiled at him but continued to eat my meal. When his phone rang, I didn't even look up.

"Smoke, It's Hector. Brother, they are in the south. Those peak fucks came at Sofia. She is safe but I want her protected. I have men out looking for them now. DO somethin' Boss! Ahora mismo!"