Another man takes over for finances. Numbers. YTD revenue. When he hits the totals, Walter looks my way. I widen my eyes, feigning surprise. Let the old bastard think I’m impressed. He smirks back.
The rest of the meeting blurs. I already know this operation inside and out. I’ve studied their routes, their players, their funding lines.
Instead of listening, I calculate how many of them I could kill before someone sounded the alarm. Five. Maybe six, if I’m fast. But I can’t, yet.
I’m playing the long game. There’s no room for mess. No mistakes. Not until I have Joe. Not until I have everything.
Finally, we adjourn. I walk with Walter to his car. The storm outside has broken, but the air is still sharp with cold.
“So,” Walter says, “you in?”
“Absolutely,” I say, smooth as glass. “I told you, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
He grins and claps my shoulder like we’re old friends. “Good. I’d hate to have to kill you.”
We both laugh. His threat is real. So is mine.
“What’s next?” I ask.
“I’ll take you to one of our holdings next week. Introduce you to the man running it for now. The last guy ran afoul of the Bratva.”
My gut goes tight. Bratva means Nik’s family. Lines are crossing that shouldn’t.
Walter continues. “The interim manager isn’t cutting it. I’m hoping you can step in. With your background in management and security, you’re perfect. We can’t have any cargo escaping.”
He laughs like it’s a punchline. I laugh too.
“I won’t disappoint you,” I promise. The lie comes easily.
“I know you won’t, son.”
We part ways, and I walk back to my car. I sit in the driver’s seat with the engine off.
I’m almost certain the man running that site is Joe. By next week, I’ll know for sure. And when I do? There won’t be anywhere left for him to hide.
The drive back is silent. No music. No distractions. Just the steady pulse of anger thrumming beneath my skin. Walter thinks I’m his new enforcer. His new favorite weapon. He has no idea I’m already polishing my gun for him.
And Joe? He’s next. I can feel it. I’m so close now, like a shark drawn to blood in the water.
I grip the wheel tighter, knuckles whitening.
Lina was right to hate me. She was right not to trust this version of me; however, if I can take this empire down—if I make them bleed for what they’ve done—maybe she’ll see the man I’m trying to be.
And if not?
At least the ones who broke her first will gone from this world.
Chapter 21
Sean
I don’t like this. Haven’t liked it since the second Johnny opened that door and let us walk in.
It’s been a week in this goddamn penthouse. A week of playing house with a man I’d happily toss off the roof. He’s been giving Aro space, acting like some reformed gentleman, but I see through it. The smirks. The calculated distance. The way his eyes track her when she’s not looking.
He thinks this is his second chance. But the second he forgets himself and fucks with her? I’ll remind him exactly how dangerous I can be.
Aro’s been quiet. I know her well enough not to push. She’s processing. But watching her struggle like this is killing me. She’s the strongest person I know, but even strength can bleed.
