Fisher didn't visit Howl's home very often when he was living with his parents. It was the guilt. That was easy enough to realize. He didn't like going to another families home, behind his families back, and having so much fun with his boyfriend, who they surely didn't approve of. That guilt had faded some after he came out to them. He thought that guilt would grow and harm his relationship with Howl, but the terror that Fisher felt during his coming out only pushed him closer to Howl and his mother's.

Wyatt didn't mind that Fisher was spending so much more time with Howl. It was summer break, so Fisher was free to spend his days as he wished. Besides, they were brothers. Wyatt wasn't his parent. He didn't have to enforce any dumb rules or restrictions and he didn't want to. Fisher loved Howl and that meant he trusted him. As long as Fisher trusted and was safe with him, Wyatt would leave it be.

Fisher wasn't always doing the nasty when he was with Howl anyways, so there was no reason to feel guilty or worry about rules. They had gone out a couples times. They went out to eat, watch movies at the theater, ran errands together, and even skateboarded around Howl's neighborhood a few times. Even today, they were only laying around on their phones. Well, Fisher was on his phone and Howl was on his laptop.

Fisher laid on his back with his phone held above his face as he scrolled through TikTok and whatever social media would entertain him. Howl was laid on his stomach as he did some casual research on colleges he could potentially attend. They were both laid so close to one another that their legs tangled and Howl rest his arm across Fisher's chest, but they didn't talk much. It was one of those chill days where they could simply enjoy one another's company, without having the need to chitchat.

Howl would occasionally get distracted from his research and reach to play with Fisher's hair. That always put a smile on Fisher's face, and even though he could barely pull himself away from TikTok's endless entertain, he did so just to give Howl a smile. That adorable smile did something to Howl's heart. He loved it. Fisher was unbearably endearing. It helped that his hair was so soft that Howl could hardly stop himself once he started running his fingers through it.

Howl brushed Fisher's fluffy brown hair back to place a kiss on his forehead and was rewarded with an even warmer smile. Howl's heart melted into goo and he couldn't help but steal a real kiss this time. Fisher was happy to give him a real kiss. It felt so good and so right to kiss Howl. The confusion he felt every time he was cornered by Howl was long gone—as was the guilt that he felt from his parents conservative values. It was simple now. Fisher felt free and comfortable.

"University of Minnesota is still looking pretty good to me," Howl muttered against Fisher's lips.

Fisher opened his eyes to glare at Howl. "You're not moving to Minnesota. It's too far."

"Only ten hours."

"Only?!" Fisher shouted.

Howl jerked in surprise at Fisher's volume and cracked a smile at his outrage. As much as he hated the thought of being so far from Fisher, he really liked how possessive Fisher got when they talked about it. Howl was used to being the clingy one, but after they had somewhat repaired their relationship, Fisher was slowly taking over that role. Howl found it wildly adorable.

"Frankie went to the U of M. She really liked it. Not to mention, it has everything I want. If I can't find anything better—"

"You're not leaving me," Fisher declared. He said it confidently and even turned his eyes back to his phone, as if unbothered by this conversation.

Howl's smile broadened and he grabbed Fisher's chin to plant another kiss on his lips. He kissed him long and hard, caressing Fisher's tongue in a way that always made him moan. The sound was so satisfying. Howl should've known better though. That sound always turned him on and he couldn't stop himself from snaking his arm around Fisher's middle and pulling him in closer. Fisher abandoned his phone without hesitation and wrapped his arms around Howl's neck, welcoming his steamy embrace.

Howl was glad his mother's weren't home right now. He could strip Fisher right now and have his way with him. They had been doing that a lot recently, however, and Howl didn't want to break Fisher. He already complained about his hips ten times a day. Not that it really slowed them down all that much.

"I still have a year to decide," Howl said, interrupting their make out session. "And then when I'm a freshman in college, wherever that may be, we only have to be apart for a year while you're a senior."

"What if I choose a college that's far away too? Then we'll have to be apart even longer. That's not going to last."

Howl brushed a curl off Fisher's forehead. "Why wouldn't it last? I love you and I know you love me, even though you won't say it."

Fisher rolled his eyes and let his arms unravel from Howl's neck. They laid sprawled out beside him as he stared thoughtfully at Howl's ceiling. "You're too clingy for long distance. It'll cause problems. And you have a habit of turning straight men gay, which could also be a problem."

Howl's eyes narrowed as he stared at his boyfriend. "You don't trust me? You think I'm going to cheat on you?"

Fisher reluctantly met Howl's glare. "I trust you... more than before."

Howl wanted to complain and rant about how good of a boyfriend he's been since they actually started dating, but he bit his tongue. The begin of their relationship was nothing to brag about. They weren't dating then, so Howl didn't feel bad when he made out with him and then had sex with Brett, but Fisher saw it differently. Howl understood that. He screwed up in the beginning and those wounds wouldn't heal so quickly. Fisher had no real reason to trust him yet. Hopefully, that would change before they had to seriously consider a long distance relationship though. Howl didn't want that kind of stress on an already fragile bond.

"I know I can't rush your trust, Fish, but I want you to believe me when I say I only want you," Howl said. "I haven't thought about another guy in months and I don't see the point in looking at anyone else but you. You have completely and totally consumed me."

A bright smile, giddy and warm, spread across Fisher's face as that massive dose of reassurance flooded through his veins. He felt proud of himself, somehow. Even before Fisher found out about Brett and Garrett's brother, that Liam guy, Fisher knew Howl was a player. He could see it in the cocky glint in his eyes and the way he knew how to melt people with his charming smile. It intimidated Fisher to be the center of affection of a guy like him. And then, suddenly, he felt crushed to know that his worries were proven right and he wasn't the only target of Howl's affection.

Apparently, that was long in the past now, and it made Fisher beam with joy. He was confused and lost in his relationship with Howl in the beginning, didn't feel like enough when he found out about the others, but had finally won all of Howl's affection and could return it without fear. That felt good. That's exactly what Fisher wanted.

Fisher couldn't say his trust in Howl had skyrocketed after that confession, but it took the elevator up a few floors and that counted for something.

Howl reflected Fisher's giddy smile as he watched it. It was contagious, that smile. "You're grinning like you just got everything you ever wanted, yet you still won't say you love me."

"I've said it before!" Fisher exclaimed.

"Say it now," Howl challenged with a pop of his eyebrows.

Fisher scrunched his nose in silent discomfort, making Howl laugh. That put a smile back on Fisher's face. He liked Howl's laugh. It was so masculine and hot. His teeth and his piercings looked so nice when he smiled and laughed too. Everything about the guy made Fisher swoon.

"I..." Fisher said, feeling his words getting caught in this throat when Howl's eyes met his again.

His mouth was left hung open but void of sound as he felt his heart skip a beat. He always thought he could say it, but the minute the words reached his lips, he chickened out. Fisher had no idea why. The very concept of vocalizing his measure of affection made his face go hot and stomach quake. It was so embarrassing for some reason. Although, being touched lovingly by weird to Fisher in the beginning too, and he warmed up to that. Maybe he could warm up to those three stupid little words as well.

"Try it again, Fish. Say it for me," Howl playfully pushed. His charming-as-a-prince smile and ice melting gaze slowly overtook his features, causing the heat in Fisher's face to flood to his ears.

Fisher bit his bottom lip and Howl's eyes dropped to watch the gesture. That put ever hotter flames in Howl's eyes and in the pit of Fisher's gut. Fisher took a breath as he mentally coached himself into it. He did love Howl. He thought he did, at least. What more could there be to it though? Was there more? How would Fisher even know? Why did he even have to say it out loud? It was so cringe. Howl knew how he felt. That's why he was teasing him.

Forcing his words out, barely over a whisper, Fisher muttered, "I love you, Howl..."

Howl's smirk spread across his face until it was a full blown grin. Fisher resisted the urge to curl into himself and escape this plane of existence all together.

"Say it again, but call me Emmitt this time," Howl giddily begged, bringing a hand to the back of Fisher's neck so he could pull him into a kiss.

Fisher grabbed Howl's wrist and half heartedly fought his pull. He rolled his eyes at his greedy boyfriend and let them wander around the room and look at anything except him. He couldn't look at Howl with his face as hot as it was.

"Get away from me," Fisher groaned in embarrassment.

"Come on, say it for me. You know it drives me crazy when you say my name. It's so erotic," Howl lowly growled, reaching to nip at Fisher's ear.

Fisher yelped at the feeling, ignoring the rush of arousal that flooded this crouch, and began pushing away from his horny boyfriend. Howl already had Fisher around the waist and the back of his neck, so he wasn't getting anywhere, but Fisher squirmed anyways. Howl allowed his defiance for a few assuming seconds until he got tired of it and planted his lips on Fisher's. Instantly, the younger went still and melted into the warm, familiar kiss. Howl loved feeling him melt under him like this.

Feeling horny and bold, Howl pulled Fisher impossibly closer as he shifted their position ever so slightly. He slid his leg between Fisher's and ground his thigh into Fisher's groin, finding friction between his own groin and Fisher's hip. The younger moaned and reached for Howl's shirt to keep him close as their lips parted and tongues brushed. Howl kissed Fisher slow and deep, savoring the sexual tension that was begging them to give in to the pleasure and strip each other of their clothes.

"Now?" Fisher breathed, looking as dazed as he sounded. Howl already understood what he was asking and smirked at their unspoken chemistry.

"You want to?"

"Kind of..."

"I know you well enough to know that's a yes," Howl chuckled, tilting Fisher's head to kiss him again.

-

Teddy sat outside Rin's office, endlessly fidgeting with his own hands and tapping his foot against the sparkling tile floor. He could hear Rin shouting at Zoe through the door of her office. She wouldn't stop. And it was all Teddy's fault. He drank too much at that charity event and he put his hands all over Zoe and then he stormed off after throwing a temper tantrum. Teddy screwed up more in one night than Rin would allow from anybody—ever—and she was blaming Zoe. More like, she was gaslighting Zoe.

Teddy knew Rin was crazy and manipulative but he was mind blown actually listening to her twist Zoe's mind into nonsensical knots. Teddy was the one that fucked up, but Rin was pinning it all on Zoe. Rin claimed she raised Zoe to be smart enough not to fall for such a careless idiot who didn't know how to do his job. She blamed Zoe for not keeping her boyfriend under control, as if any of it was Zoe's fault. She scolded and insulted Zoe's intelligence and decision making skills, claiming she was a helpless child that was about to drown in her own mistakes.

Listening to Rin's endless, heartless manipulation was driving Teddy absolutely crazy. His blood pressure had never been higher in his life. His jaw was aching after clenching it the entire time he was listening. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. How was Zoe still sane after having that as a mother? How was she still alive and not the vaguest bit suicidal? Rin was brutal, unforgiving, and venomous.

No wonder Zoe blamed herself for the world's problems. Even when she had no control over her surroundings, Rin made it sound like every decision Zoe made on her own reflected on her career and social life. Rin had managed to convince Zoe that she could only make bad choices, wrong decisions, and following in her mother's path was the only thing that was going to keep her safe and happy.

It was all making sense, Teddy thought, as he sat listening to Rin poison Zoe's mind. Zoe has lived her entire life obeying Rin because her mother convinced her that she would die otherwise. Zoe was scared of herself and she blamed herself for everything and Rin wanted it that way so she remained in control. Witnessing this first hand made Teddy even more motivated to release Zoe from Rin's toxic clutches. He had to save her.

A minute after the yelling finally stopped, Rin's office door swung open and Zoe stepped out. Her eyes landed on Teddy just as he looked up from his tapping foot. Zoe's complexion was pale and her eyes were slightly red with a shallow pool of tears lingering in them. She attempted to brighten her features with a smile, but the expression didn't reach her eyes. Teddy's heart sunk into his stomach as he stood from the bench across the hall and met Zoe halfway.

Teddy cupped Zoe's face in his hand and opened his mouth to speak, but failed to get a word out when he noticed Rin stepping into the doorway behind Zoe. He looked up at her, meeting her icy gaze and froze. She glared mercilessly into his soul, silently warning him not to touch her daughter. Teddy reluctantly removed his hands from Zoe's face and took a step back, leaving Zoe enough room so he wouldn't lose his fingers as punishment.

Rin seemed satisfied with his submission to her silent threat and leaned against the doorway, arms folded over her chest, and said, "you have an agenda to keep up with, Zoe. Hurry along."

Zoe nodded once at her mother and turned to strut confidently down the hallway. Teddy anxiously followed her but waited until they were out of earshot before he spoke.

"I'm so sorry, Zoe. I shouldn't have acted that way at the benefit and I should've known your mother was going to lash out at you because of it. I just—"

"She didn't lash out at me. You're my responsibility, Teddy, just as I am yours. We're not at school anymore. This is my career, my reputation, my future. We have to start taking this more seriously or we're both going to pay," Zoe calmly corrected as they turned into the foyer, where Abe and the rest of Mission Z were waiting.

Abe opened the front door for her and they all followed her to the cars waiting in the massive driveway. Teddy ignored all of the men around him, staring shocked and confused at Zoe. She kept her eyes forward, chin high, and pace quick.

"She's manipulating you, Zoe. You can see that, can't you? She's trying to put you down for choosing to make me apart of your life. She's belittling you, tormenting you with a twisted reality that she makes up. She's a demon, Zoe," Teddy said.

Zoe stopped at the first car and let Abe open the door for her. He glanced at Teddy, trying to catch his gaze and warn him to let it go, but Teddy kept his eyes planted firmly on Zoe. He acted as if she would understand and agree with him if he simply stared hard enough. Finally giving in, Zoe rested her hand on the door and looked up at Teddy, but her gaze showed no sign of yielding. She was in business mode. Rin had rewired her brain with all her shouting until Zoe had pushed down her emotions and focused on only her words.

Firmly, Zoe said, "Rin is not a demon. She is my mother and she wishes to protect me. Just because you don't agree with everything she says, doesn't mean she is the enemy."

Teddy felt his heart plummet at Zoe's words. She was so far gone.

Teddy reached for Zoe's face, gently caressing her jaw and running the pad of his thumb across her chin and bottom lip. "She hurts you, Zoe. That makes her my enemy," he whispered.

"That's funny." Zoe lightly placed her hand over Teddy's, pushing his hand away. "She said the same thing about you and your misbehavior. If you hurt my career, you're to be my enemy."

"You're more than just your career, Zoe."

"Here, I'm not." Zoe dropped her gaze from Teddy's to climb into the car. "You should know that by now." And then she slammed her door shut.

Teddy balled his fists, clenched his jaw, and resisted the urge to slam his fist against the car. Everyone loaded into the cars and Teddy followed, sliding into the other side of the car Zoe entered. He chewed anxiously on his nails and stared out the window as they drove. Zoe didn't speak or touch her phone. She simply stared forward, lost in the hypnotic hell spiral that Rin's lecturing sent her down. She told herself that it was okay that her mother's words hurt her because she was right about the things she said, even if Zoe didn't want to hear it.

The truth hurt.

Teddy did fuck up his job here and he did behave childishly and she should take responsibility for it after forcing him to be apart of her life. After all, he wouldn't be here if Zoe had just left him alone after the first time he asked. It was her fault he was here and it was going to be her fault when he fucked up and ruined her career. She had nobody to blame but herself, unless she could whip Teddy into shape. He didn't have any room for mistakes. Just like her, and she knew that. There were no excuses.

At Zoe's photoshoot, Hiro and his men showed up. Zoe was too busy posing with a few Sensation models to notice her father. It wasn't until everyone in the studio paused and stuttered that she realized he was here. He was an intimidating man to outsiders and everyone wanted to impress, so after a moment of recalculation, people got to work and they worked harder than they had all day. Zoe sighed, knowing they cared more about her father than her, even though this was her photoshoot, and struck another pose against the car.

The only people that worked progressively less in Hiro's presence were his men. They all stayed in the background and talked loudly together, lighting cigarettes and punching each other in the arm for whatever reason. They had no care for the work around them or the fact that their boss was in the same room, observing their unprofessional behavior. It was nothing new in Hiro's eyes. His men were like sons to him. He witnessed their juvenile attitudes and shook his head, disappointed but unwilling to do anything about it.

Mission Z were used to their behavior as well. They silently judged Hiro's men from afar, brooding in the opposite corner of the room. Teddy was shocked by the behavior. They acted like children around actual, working, professional adults. How could Rin allow this in her place of work with the reputation she fights to uphold?

"They're like wild dogs," Wilford grumbled under his breath.

"They sound like hyenas," Burgess added.

Abe turned his back to his crew and honed his attention on Teddy. Keeping his voice hushed, he asked, "you really want to risk your life on the word of a bunch of children?"

Teddy locked eyes with Abe. "You said you'd help."

"I know. I know I did. I just want to make sure you know who you're plotting with."

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I don't care what they do in their free time. As long as they want her dead, I can work with that."

"Rin has many enemies, Morgan. Everyone wants her dead. Working with those buffoons is not the only way to kill her."

Teddy took a single step toward Abe, keeping his voice low and posture stiff. "Nobody has access to her like us and them. She won't see a threat coming from this closely. This is the only way and you know it."

Abe clenched his fist, ground his jaw, and groaned in frustration. Teddy was right and he hated it more than anything. This was the only way to even have a slight possibility for freedom, and freedom lied in the hands of a bunch of hooligans.

Abe turned to his crew with a long sigh. "Come on boys. There's a business offer I know you can't resist waiting for us."

Without further explanation, Abe made his way across the studio to greet Hiro's men. And without question, Teddy, Wilford, Burgess, and Julius followed. Teddy peeked over his shoulder at the Mission Z crew, trying to catch any sign of excitement or caution on their faces. He wanted this to work. He wanted more than anything for all of this play out as smoothly as possible. They needed men on their side and he didn't trust anyone as much as he trusted Mission Z.

Takashi was the first to notice their approach and nudged his crew mates. They all turned, alert, and stiffened their spines and facial expressions. It was obvious they were trying to appear more professional than they were and it made Abe sigh with defeat. He was unimpressed. These men were a bunch of spoiled fools. If they were as bad at taking down an empire as they were at acting like adults, they were all fucked.

Abe wasn't confident in selling their scheme to his crew but he put on his best poker face and gave his boys the facts. Hiro's men wanted to strip Rin of her power and they knew exactly how to do it. From the launch of the mission to the happily ever after, they had a game plan and Teddy Morgan was key to executing it. With Hiro's men, Rin's men, and Teddy Morgan, there was no weakness. Rin was outnumbered and outwitted. That was if everyone was on board and willing to follow through, no matter what.

"Rin thrives on loyalty," Wilford pointed out, "one whiff of defiance and we'll crumble like dominos."

"We're not defying her," Abe countered, shifting his weight anxiously. "Hiro's men will work behind the scenes with Kenneth to reprogram everything that gives her power. Everything in her name will go under Teddy's name. Meanwhile, we obey all of her orders—as usual—until we find the perfect time to strike."

"Kenneth?" Julius asked, as skeptical as the rest of them. "You expect us to believe Kenneth is going to help overthrow Rin? He's her number one bitch."

"He's not loyal to her. Not for much longer anyways," Teddy interjected. "He's in love. That changes a man. He'll work with us when he realizes this plan saves the woman he loves."

"And when will that be?" Burgess asked, looking skeptical but intrigue. "When will we have everyone on the same page and finally take action?"

Abe chewed on the inside of his cheek, glancing down at his shoes as he said, "we won't know when to take action until the day of. There's a chance we won't know until a few hours before."

"A few hours?" Burgess chuffed. Julius and Wilford exchanged glances, and although their expressions were emotionless, Abe could see a pool of doubt in them.

Abe licked his lips and broadened his stance. "Listen, once Rin's entire life is turned on it's head, we only have so much time to react before she finds out and shit hits the fan. We need to act quickly and quietly once we start this mutiny."

There was a heavy silence that weighed on everyone's shoulders as Abe's words were contemplated. Mission Z wanted to trust Abe. He was valued by Rin and for very good reason. He was one of the best tools in her belt and he had never let her or his crew down. He was trustworthy. The only problem was that none of them had ever needed to take a leap of faith in this line of work before. When Rin said leap, they leaped without hesitation, but only out of fear, not faith.

"You're saying this plan will set me free and let me return to my daughter?" Burgess asked, his eyes hopeful.

Abe met his gaze and held it sincerely. "Yes. I would request you and the rest of the men loyal to me to stay and help me take care of Teddy, but I am doing this so everyone Rin has a leash on has a choice."

Burgess nodded, letting his eyes trail to Teddy. Multiple gazes found Teddy in that silent moment and he felt his heart race at all the attention. He still wasn't sure if he wanted the crown Rin had but he also understood that it needed to be passed on to someone for this to go smoothly and he was a safe, logical option. His loyalties lied with those he worked with, not for, and everyone under Rin's rule wanted just that.

"I'm not thinking about anything beyond the moment that Rin realizes she's been stripped of all her power, alright? I don't care about what happens after that. All I want is to free those that work for her and free Zoe. She deserves a real shot at happiness and freedom and I want to give her that." Teddy paused and gulped, feeling vulnerable in his sappy confessions. Even so, he wanted to be as honest with everyone as possible so they wouldn't regret putting their faith in him.

"I don't trust any of this," Wilford grunted and looked toward Hiro's men, glowering at them. "What do you get out of all of this? Why should we bite the hand that feeds us just because you say so?"

Takashi casually folded his arms over his chest and smirked. He looked so cocky. It made Teddy's stomach churn. Rin's men would take them a whole lot more seriously if Hiro's men weren't such arrogant idiots.

"You don't have to trust us as long as we all want the same thing—Rin dethroned. It doesn't matter what anybody's motivation is as long as we all work together to destroy her," Takashi calmly explained.

The logic behind that intrigued Rin's men. Takashi could see it on all of their faces. He was right, after all. It didn't matter if someone was chasing love while another was chasing money as long as they all ended up with the same result. And frankly, it didn't matter to a lot of them whether Teddy ended up with Rin's crown or not. The only thing that mattered is that they all got to go home or find a home after Rin was dealt with. Nobody wanted to be trapped under her rule any longer.

"I only want to be here fifteen minutes to make sure they're doing their jobs right, and then—" Rin's words caught in her throat as she passed Kenneth, who was holding the door open for her, and realized his eyes were on the phone in his hand.

Rin stopped and stared holes into his head until he looked up at her. She was clutching her purse with a fiery rage and nearly exploded when she caught the hint of a smile on his face. He wiped it away almost instantly when he realized she was staring at him, burning with rage at the sight of him paying more attention to his phone than to her. And with that deadly look in her eyes, they both knew why he was on his phone and why she was mad.

Rin forced back the fire in her eyes and calmly said, "I know working for me keeps you quite busy, Kenneth, but I'd like your eyes to be on me when I'm speaking to you. That was work stealing all of your attention, wasn't it, Kenneth?"

Clearing his throat, Kenneth straightened his posture and tucked his phone away. "My apologies, Rin. Do not worry though, I was paying atten-"

"Wasn't it?" Rin snapped, bruising her own fingers in her angry grip.

Kenneth put his phone in the breast pocket of his suit jacket and bowed his head with remorse. "No, Rin. It was not work related. I promise I will be more mindful in the future."

Rin took a few threatening steps toward Kenneth, gritting her teeth and flexing her sharp jaw. Looking up at him with fury in her eyes, she said, "you're lucky I give you a future with the way you've been so distracted recently. I do not make exceptions for anyone, Kenneth. Not a single, measly fly."

"Yes," Kenneth gulped. "I understand perfectly, Rin."

With a venomous smile, Rin affectionately and passive aggressively nudged Kenneth's chin. "That's what I thought, my star pupil."

And with that, Rin turned on her stiletto heels and marched into the studio. She didn't make it three steps before she spotted a dozen things wrong with the shoot. Zoe's hair wasn't styled right, her outfit was mediocre, the photographer was kneeling at the completely wrong angle to show off the Sensation vehicle Zoe was modeling with, and....

Well....

And the men she hired to work for her were mingling with her husband wild, untrained hounds. They were all stood together on the far side of the studio, chatting quietly with one another. Takashi and Abe led the conversation but were thoroughly engaged with the men around them. It was such a strange sight. Rin had never seen it before. Rin and Hiro's men had no respect for each other because they were trained so differently.

Hiro's men were family. Rin's men were employees. What could they possibly have to talk about?

Rin pointed at Kenneth and then at the men. "Take care of that before I do."

Kenneth mentally cursed at the sight of Teddy in the midst of that mingling and nodded at Rin. "Of course."

Rin let her eyes linger on the group of men for a moment before she turned to Zoe's photoshoot and waltzed toward the photographer. She snatched the camera from him without hesitation and very calmly but condescendingly explained how he should be doing his job. Meanwhile, Kenneth took quick and heavy steps towards Rin and Hiro's men. He was going to tear them all a new one himself for being so goddamn stupid and suicidal.

Kenneth grabbed Abe by the arm and spoke through gritted teeth. "What are you trying to do here? Kill yourself and everyone in your crew?"

Abe glanced over his shoulder, spotted Rin, and clenched his teeth so hard he could feel the headache coming a mile away. "I didn't know she'd be here."

"What does that matter?" Kenneth snapped at Abe before he raised his gaze to the rest of the men. He glared at them, squaring his shoulders and tilting his chin up. "Scatter. Now."

Without question, Rin's men meandered away, trying to act casual as they dispersed. Hiro's men snickered and stayed put, clearly unthreatened by Kenneth's threat. They were fools. Kenneth knew it, Abe knew it, his crew knew it. Unfortunately, Abe also knew they had no choice. Takashi was going to dethrone Rin and they needed to work together or it wouldn't work. No matter how dangerous this all was, Abe was willing to risk anything to dethrone that woman.

When it was just Abe and Kenneth again, Kenneth stepped toe to toe with him, his eyes wild with disbelief. "You are not doing what I think you're doing."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Abe said, forcing a calm facade as he met Kenneth's stare.

Kenneth pointed angrily at Hiro's men. "They are wild animals. Do not trust them or anything they say. Rin's not an idiot. She will strike you down the second she believes even an ounce of her own suspicions."

"I know that. We're being careful."

Kenneth kept his voice low, despite how badly he wanted to shout at the top of his lungs. "That's not good enough, Abraham! She'll kill you and she'll kill Teddy and she'll probably even kill me if I don't convince you to stop right here and right now!"

Abe held Kenneth's stare, unwavering in his decision. He'd risk anything. That was it. There was no turning his back now.

He'd risk anything.

Abe released the tension in his shoulders with a sigh and showed Kenneth his most winning smile. "I trust you'll make the right choice when the time comes, Kenneth. You may be above us dogs, but you're still caged just like the rest of us."

"Abe—"

Abe didn't let Kenneth speak as he turned his back and followed his men out of the studio. He didn't want to hear anything Kenneth had to say. He didn't want to hear about the dangers of their plan. He didn't want to hear Kenneth describe all the ways Rin would crucify him. Abe knew. He knew damn well that the odds were not on their favor and everything they were working towards could collapse at the snap of Rin's fingers.

"She'll be suspicious now," Wilford told Abe as they walked through the parking garage.

"She's always suspicious," Abe retorted.

"And when that happens, people die."

"She can't kill us all," Teddy said, leaning over the top of Abe's car from the passenger side. "Who will do her dirty work then?"

"She's not killing any of us. She needs us." Abe opened the door to his car and lifted his eyes to Teddy. "Watch your back, kid. If she comes for any of us, it'll be me or you. And I don't care what the fuck she does to me, you carry this thing through, you hear me?"

Teddy gulped, feeling his heart race as he realized Abe was talking about his own death. If Rin got to him—killed him—he still wanted Teddy to carry out the plan to dethrone her. Abe didn't want anything to stop him.

"I hear you," Teddy said.

Abe nodded, staring Teddy in the eyes. His chest felt sore. It ached. He didn't exactly know why but he knew staring at Teddy made it worse. "Good. I'm proud of you."

A smile broke across Teddy's face for only a moment as it dueled with his nerves. Abe was proud of him and he couldn't have been happier to hear it, but he was absolutely terrified. If things went wrong, he actually had people to lose that he didn't have before. Everyone around him had something to lose. He couldn't let them down. He couldn't let Abe down. No matter what happened, Rin had to be dethroned.

——

Now now now, listen......

Covid really hit my creativity HARD. I couldn't write shit. Literally couldn't write a word for 2 years. It was the worst ever. Very slowly, I've been trying to get my groove back but a lot of things in my life have changed and are continuing to change so everything is still an adjustment. I can't promise I'll update regularly again but I LOOOOOVE this story like it is my own flesh and blood and I want to finish it if it is the last goddamn thing I do! I still have big BIG plans for this story and I really really hope you guys will stick around and follow this journey. I really love everyone that reads and comments, it literally means the fucking world to me and I am so happy to see people enjoy this story! You guys are awesome and I will try my damndest to keep writing!❤️