50
Gianna (22 years)
Thirteen months ago, I escaped prison, killed my husband, took over his businesses, and gotten away with not explaining his disappearance. The roundtable had given me six months in which to find the money he’d stashed, and I did.
After four months of sifting through mountains of paperwork and files, it didn’t take a genius to figure out that Salvatore had invested the money in legit businesses like a hotel chain.
Because I’d given them what they wanted before the expired time, the roundtable kept me on and I became a ruthless, no-nonsense crime lord who shot first and asked questions after.
Now, I stood on the shore just outside the Salvatore Boatyard staring across the water. I was in the process of extending the property as our business had grown and we needed more land. Problem was, the neighboring boatyard had agreed to our initial deal and now they planned to pull out of it. And I was a stickler for honor especially when I wanted something badly.
“You sure you want to handle this?” Julian came up beside me. He was no longer my bodyguard but my trusted right-hand man. Like the father I always wanted, he both guided and aided me with the added personal touch.
“The only way to get shit into Chicago undetected is through this boatyard. This operation should’ve been expanded years ago. Because of space, we lost business to Giovanni.” They were an opposing mafia family, not as widely recognized as Salvatore but with enough interest to stay in business. “While I put a plan in place to take over their share of Chicago, we need this boatyard expanded. We do that and we’re one step closer to shutting them down and I don’t care if it happens with all the fuckers buried out at sea. How long?”
“Another ten minutes then we leave. It’s too risky with you being out in the open.”
I nodded. The view here was spectacular, water peaceful, with gentle waves lapping at the sandy beach. There were times when I just wanted to stop everything I was doing and go live in some quiet village where the only thing I did every day was sit in the sun and watch the ocean shimmer under the sun or the grass blowing in a gentle breeze. Rubbing my arms, I watched bubbles pop at the surface, rippling rings appearing and growing before disappearing.
Seven minutes later we stood in the McKnight boatyard office and Henry McKnight’s left eye twitched as he ran a hand through his hair. “Mrs. Salvatore, you must understand when we decide to sign over this deal, we had no idea my father had sold the business to the Vladimir family. Now we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.” The man was fucking lying, and he knew it.
“It’s a very simple end to this problem, Henry.”
“Yes? What is it?” Excitement flared in his eyes.
“Show me the deal your father signed over to Vladimir.” And as if I’d just tripped the switch, his radiance dipped to fearful darkness. I took a step closer and he flinched at the cold expression I reserved for fuckers like him. I grabbed hold of his balls, squeezing and he yelped. “Don’t underestimate me because I’m a woman, Henry because I won’t hesitate to cut off your fucking balls and feed them to your fucking family as a cocktail sausage at your wake,” I snapped, and he whimpered as I released my hold on him. “Now sign the fucking deal. You have exactly...” I glanced at my watch, “one minute before I walk out that door and I’m taking your balls with.”
“What’s next on the list?” I asked Julian an hour later.
He pulled a notebook from inside his jacket pocket and flipped a page or two. “Tatum shipping company.” He followed me into the elevator as we left Salvatore Holdings. Julian pressed the basement button and turned to face me. “If this is a hit list, why these specific people?”
I studied the man briefly. At forty-eight, he was still quick on his feet, alert and loyal as fuck. I liked that about him. “My mother once told me to surround myself with people who saw my value and always reminded me of it. Unfortunately, the people I had around me for the last couple of years never saw my value they underestimated my ability to remind myself of it. There’s one thing my husband will tell you, well, if the dead could speak.” The corners of my mouth twitched. “Is that he learned my true potential. Too bad he only saw it when I aimed the gun at his chest and pulled the trigger. I despise betrayal, Julian. These people.” I tapped the list in his hand. “Are just getting what’s been owed. I’m paying my dues. Tying up loose ends so to speak. Because of Leo, they fucked with the Salvatore businesses.” It had taken me almost seven months to rule out the traitors.
As we stepped out into the basement and headed for the car, Julian touched my shoulder. I stopped at our vehicle and turned. “Talking about tying up loose ends, I need to tell you something.”
“Sure.” I crossed my arms and waited for him to speak.
“It’s about the Malik woman.”
“Who?”
“The hit you ordered on the woman who was involved in your mother’s murder.”
My brow creased. “That was like a year or so ago, why bring that up no—”
“Yes, Julian? Why rake up the past?”
I turned at the sound of my father’s voice and when I looked at Julian again, his hesitation baffled me. In the time I’d known the man, I’d never seen that expression before. It ranged between surprise and fear, I wasn’t quite sure how to read it.
“What are you doing here?” I asked my father as he drew closer.
“I heard you got a little handsy with McKnight. You’re new to the game, Gianna. What’s the plan? Kill everyone? Is that how you intend to do business? Won’t earn you much loyalty,” he muttered, his tone condescending.
“What’s wrong Cassius? Scared I might be better at this than you ever were? Or maybe you’re afraid I might, you know, stick a knife in your back?” I slipped my hands into the pockets of my slacks and studied his irritated countenance.
He scoffed. “Be careful, sweetheart, touch me and you’ll regret it. I have something on Gabriel that you might be desperate to get your hands on.”
