He pockets his phone and gives me a sharp nod.
“It appears we’re in possession of something Tatiana wants. Or rather, Lily was in possession of it, and now I am, because I won’t be letting her walk around with a death sentence.” I pause deliberately. “And I’ve initiated my protocol to make contact with Tatiana. Now we wait for her to reach out. Or for her to come find me.”
Enzo’s jaw ticks, a tell he doesn’t bother hiding. I know he’s been hunting her for years. And over the last couple of years, that hunt has escalated into something far more dangerous. She holds answers for something for him, and she does everything in her power to stay just out of his reach.
Whatever it is, it’s big. Because he hasn’t closed in on her yet, he’s trying to outcalculate her, I can see that. Waiting for the perfect time.
“What do you have?” he asks.
I glance briefly at Lev before turning back to Enzo. “A necklace. One Lev and the Butcher had made years ago for their daughters. Lily’s contains years’ worth of secrets and access to funds. We don’t know exactly what Vano put on Tatiana’s, but it’s enough that she would recognize the match immediately.”
The room goes still.
“It wouldn’t take much for her to connect the dots back to Lev,” I add. “And she has. She’s not just watching, she’s acting. I extracted a guy from Lily’s. One of hers. She won’t step foot in our country, but she has contacts who can and will.”
“She sets foot here, and I will kill her on sight,” Declan seethes.
“No. You won’t. She’s mine,” Enzo growls.
Fuck me, it’s like a game of cat and mouse with them, and no one knows why. I think it spans beyond a debt. Beyond anything mafia-related. I believe it’s personal. I also believe the only reason Tatiana is alive is because he needs her. The second he doesn’t will be her downfall.
“What do you suggest we do?” I ask.
“Can you handle a meeting with her?” Enzo asks carefully.
“Yes.” My voice stays even. “But we all know I’ll have to cut a deal. The difference this time is that I’m not the one begging. I’m holding the leverage. And I think this will give us our two birds.”
Declan folds his arms. “Two birds with one stone,” he says slowly. “How?”
“There’s no chance Tatiana doesn’t know how to get to the Preacher,” I reply. “Russian men turning up in his ranks isn't a coincidence. It’s infrastructure. My bet is either her or Emil is assisting.”
I lean forward slightly, letting the weight of it settle. “If she gives me the information, I give her the necklace.”
Silence crashes down around us.
“And if she lies?” Conan asks.
My mouth curves, humorless. “Then she learns exactly why she shouldn’t have underestimated me.”
Because this time, I’m not fighting for power. I’m fighting for Lily.
Enzo looks me dead in the eyes. “We use her. We can break her empire. But I need her alive. That’s important. There is a no kill order out on her. And if anyone breaks that, I’ll fucking ruin you.”
“What the fuck?” Lev hisses beside me.
Confused faces fill the room, but I'm not unfazed by this. “Got it, boss.”
We all know better than to argue with Enzo. Even Finn, as pissed as he looks, remains silent. Sometimes, the bigger picture is required to survive in this life.
We trust Enzo. We will keep her alive.
“I’m heading to Monaco with Lily for a few days. I’ll let you know if she makes contact.”
Enzo clears his throat. “I expect live feeds. I want to hear everything she says.”
And that is what keeps him on top. He trusts no one.
I respect that. My old lawyer's head snaps back into place. “If she makes contact, Enzo. I’m a traitor to her and her family for helping Declan save Charlotte. But please know, keeping Lily safe remains my number one priority. I will do nothing to jeopardize that or anyone here. You are my family, as are Charlotte and Isabella.” I remind him, glancing at Declan.
