He stood with his arms behind his back, waiting like the other men in the room, as well as my brothers for directions.
Sinclair eyed me carefully. Surprisingly, he was the one now amused by the situation. “You seem more relaxed than I can remember.”
Laughing softly, I realized I was quite content. “We have the upper hand.”
“Are you sure about that?” Montgomery asked.
“Very. I want security doubled at every warehouse, men covering Indulgence from every corner. There’s a new guest list at the club. That’s to be followed to the letter. I don’t give a shit who wants to get in; if they aren’t preapproved, they aren’t allowed.”
“I’ll take care of that,” Jarvis insisted and I nodded in response.
There were several turns of the chess game yet to be played and they would need to be done carefully. Certainly not the way I usually handled any act of betrayal. Perhaps I’d grow as a leader through this shit storm.
At least I knew my father hadn’t sold us out completely, instead being very creative in his thinking. Plus, he’d known me too well. The moment he learned about Catherine, he’d made the correct assumption that once I became intrigued I’d never be able to let her go.
“Above all, the family is to be protected.”
“Don’t worry, brother. We’re prepared.” I’d brought Sinclair in first, formally promoting him to the Underboss, a challenge he’d accepted.
Montgomery remained sprawled out across one of my chairs. “What are the next steps?”
“A visit to Russo first.”
“He’s no longer in the hospital after the stunt you pulled.” Jaxon wasn’t chastising, his smile one of respect.
“Which means round the clock care at his home?”
Jarvis nodded. “Perhaps hospice. Is the visit announced?”
“I made a call,” I answered. “He’ll invite me in or find his house burned to the ground.”
“What about our uncle?” The question was difficult for Sinclair to ask.
“Oh, he’ll soon learn his attempt at a coup failed.” In the last two days, I’d ordered business as usual, including allowing a short leash with my beautiful bride to be to return to work. I’d wanted everyone to believe we were comfortable in our beliefs no one would dare defy us.
By now, the Russians were likely getting antsy. That meant they’d possibly do something rash. Not that it mattered. Their days were numbered.
“What about Ms. Devereaux?” Montgomery grinned.
I’d found it next to impossible to keep my mind on business. In the two days of not having her by my side, I’d been unable to sleep, the loneliness fueling anger. But I’d learned to control my emotions because there was far too much to lose.
And everything to gain.
“She’s accepted her fate and had full understanding of her responsibilities.”
“What if she tries to escape?”
Turning my head, I studied my Capo. “She won’t. She’s well aware of the consequences.”
A wave of electricity swept through me first, the scent of her perfume infusing my senses soon after.
She’d arrived.
“Sinclair. You’ll go with us to visit Russo. Jarvis, you know what to do with the soldiers. I don’t want any interference at the meeting.”
“You’re far too trusting with Russo. What if he made a deal with the Pakhan instead?”
My laugh was heartfelt. “Then he’ll learn what the meaning of black magic truly is.”
