"You moving your people back overseas anytime soon?" Damian asked. "Jules is bored over in the Eastern Hemisphere."
"When I have people to move, yeah," Jonny replied.
"All right. Don't be a stranger." Damian held out his hand.
Jonny shook it.
"I'll give Ashley a phone and let her know she can call you or me, depending on where she wants to go," Damian said. "You headed home to Miami?"
"Yeah."
"I'll warn Dusty. In the words of the most worthy Black God I've ever known, get the fuck out of here."
Jonny offered a tight smile. He didn't want to leave Ashley, but he also knew he was, for the first time, on even footing with Damian. He wouldn't want the White God showing up at his headquarters, and he felt pressured to reciprocate.
Jonny debated how to respond and finally decided there was nothing he really needed to say to Damian. He Traveled back to his headquarters in Miami and materialized on the private beach. Exhausted yet wired with concern for Ashley, he took a moment to gaze at the serene ocean before acknowledging the vamps awaiting him.
Charles stood bloodied and sweating beside Tasha.
"You disobeyed me, Charles," Jonny started. "You sent Ashley after me."
"Yes, ikir. I freely admit to not following your orders, and I would do it again, if I had the chance." Charles knelt, eyes on the ground. "I request a merciful death."
Jonny studied him. Tasha's gaze was downcast as well, and she was tense.
"Tasha, liquidate a quarter of our properties worldwide. We're going to make some changes around here, starting with taking better care of our people," Jonny said. "Go."
She left quickly after sneaking a glance at Charles.
Jonny crouched in front of Charles. "What you did was pretty stupid, I'll admit. You put Ashley in danger. But … you also knew something I wasn't ready to admit to myself." He paused, unable to recall the last time he thanked his second for being the diehard loyal, wise vamp he was. "I need someone like you to continue to guide me and prevent me from falling into the trap I did with Valon. I need someone who can remind me I have options and I don't have to do this alone and who knows a thing or two about what makes a good leader great."
Charles was still.
"I'm not going to kill you, Charles," he said softly. "I need you by my side."
"I am deeply grateful, ikir."
"Just don't make a habit out of disobeying me."
"Never, ikir. I did what I thought was right to protect you."