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It was good to employ people who’d been in a couple dozen former professions. In this day and age, computers were a mainstay, which meant both security as well as hacking were high-paying positions within the firm. “Excellent idea. Keep me informed.”
“I better get to work.” He backed away and I swung open the door, heading into the small room, grabbing a couple of bags.
I stood in front of my weapons closet, packing several duffles with ammunition and a couple dozen rifles and handguns.
“You’ll never get those through security at the airports.”
Hearing Margot’s voice had the same effect as always, bringing a smile to my face and tightening my balls. In the last two hours, everything I’d believed in had changed. While I was still married, the different scenario brought its own set of challenges. So did the horrible way we’d both been forced to learn the truth.
I laughed softly as I turned to face her. While still pensive, I’d seen such relief on her face when I’d made the decision to care for the real Maria. I’d looked at her medical reports, had talked with the doctor I’d known for years. He was sending a team to examine her, trying to determine the best course of action.
What the girl had endured in a short period of time was as horrific as the cancer eating away at Margot’s mother. Now that I knew the complete story, I was at least better equipped to handle what might come when arriving in Italy.
There were already contingencies being set in place, Leonardo convincing me that he needed to return with us to coordinate efforts with the remaining army of Rossi soldiers. There was only one thing left that troubled the fuck out of me.
Who the person was behind the cloak of darkness.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing that our family has a private plane.”
“Of course you do,” she said as she walked closer. “Perks of being rich?”
I zipped the duffles, enjoying the way she had her hip cocked, the smile on her face far too seductive since we were leaving in less than thirty minutes for the airport. “Perks of being in a billion-dollar business. Plus, owning one is a time saver.”
“And you get to avoid certain levels of security.”
“That too.”
She walked closer, studying the room, shuddering visibly. “What if this all goes terribly wrong?”
“We’ll get through it. That much I promise you.”
“Maria looks so much worse.”
“She’ll be in good hands, Margot. I promise you that as well.”
“Thank you.”
I pulled her against me, pressing her face into my shoulder as I rubbed her hair. She had no idea how concerned I was. Taking over an empire was never easy, especially in another country. But this… this was nothing but a death wish.
Hours had passed. Hours of worrying and becoming more infuriated by the set of circumstances.
Fortunately, Margot had remained asleep even as the plane descended, her long dark hair splayed across my chest. Sleeping by our feet had been Zorro. She’d refused to leave him at home, determined to have him by her side no matter the dire circumstances. The time difference of seven hours, combined with an equally long flight time, meant by the time we’d arrived, it was already late afternoon the next day in Sicily, the loss of time not helping in locating the fucker responsible. I’d yet to sleep, doing nothing but going over financials and other documentation as provided by Leonardo.
I’d been in constant contact with Constantine as well, although neither he nor any member of the Brotherhood had heard much other than the fact there was chatter on the dark web and among certain trusted allies that the attack on the Rossis had been planned for some time. Given Giovanni had been openly threatened, he’d done everything in his power to take steps to protect both his daughter and his empire.
I couldn’t blame him for what he’d done, although I remained irritated I’d been kept in the dark. There were so many answers needed, so much to sort through.
One thing I knew for certain, no one was going to destroy the odd family that had been dropped into my life.
I was uncomfortable as hell in the surroundings but had to remain in a power position including with my emotions. I’d had my men go over the security system as well as the tapes. A block of time was missing, their arrival noticed on the cameras attached to the massive iron gates then nothing until the next shot of the family already slain.
That added credence to the fact a mole had been in their employ, a trusted individual who’d worked directly with the family.
The attack had taken less than five minutes, two of their household staff almost dying in the process. The ugliness had continued with their deaths being splashed all over the news and the internet. I tossed my iPad on the desk, remaining tense and stiff from both the flight as well as the fact I was inside another man’s home.
At least Margot had taken my advice, heading to rest for another few hours.
I’d taken the time to talk with a significant portion of the men who’d worked alongside Giovanni, many of them for years. While some remained wary, I could tell a good portion were also eager for direction as well as payback.
