Page 122 of Avenging Azalea

Setting the espresso machine to make two, I turned and leaned against the counter.

“I’m not only being bombarded with texts from him and Vera, begging me to continue with the wedding, but he threatened Fawn. He knows…” I looked at Nathaniel and decided this was as good a time as any to tell him how I felt. “That I have feelings for her, and he’s having none of it. He conned Fawn into going for dinner and then ordered her to move out or he would make sure she paid. I was ready to rush the house and kill him when she told me,” I said.

“First, your feelings are obvious. I’m not sure why it’s taken you this long to admit it, but aside from that, why didn’t you kill him?”

“Because I want to be smart about my response and as much fun as it would be in the moment to shoot him…”

“I get it. It’s complicated. I’ve had a front row seat to this exact issue for a while, so join the club. But you can’t let this slide. He will see it as you conceding and a sign of weakness. Whatever you do, it has to be a statement of power.”

The espresso machine sputtered as it finished, and I doctored mine before taking the cups over to the small table and chairs I had set up for meetings. Nathaniel joined me and took his black coffee.

“What do you have in mind? You always have a plan.”

“This is true. You need to hit him where it hurts. Either with something he loves or covets.” Nathaniel took a sip of his espresso and relaxed back into the leather.

“That’s difficult when the only thing he really loves is the company, and I don’t want to put innocents in the line of fire.”

“I feel you, brother, but sometimes it’s inevitable.”

“Fine…what is your idea. I know you have one.”

He smirked, the look bordering on evil. “Oh…I do. He’s interfering with your relationship, so maybe it’s time you interfered in his.” My brow furrowed as I tried to figure out what he meant. “I’m talking about his mistresses, not Mom. Ruin something he covets.”

“You want me to kill them?”

“No…but now that you mention it, that would definitely send a message,” Nathaniel drawled. The look on his face said he was contemplating doing it just because. “I’m sure you can come up with something other than shooting them.”

“It’s not a bad idea. I’ll think about it.” I glanced at the large clock on the wall. It might have been old school, but I’d always loved a traditional clock in my office. “I better go. I dropped Fawn off at work and need to pick her up.”

“Are you worried that Dimitri will snatch her off the street,” Nathaniel asked as he stood with me.

“Honestly, I don’t know what he’ll do anymore. I never pictured him setting up Savannah and almost getting his grandson killed or going so far as to threaten Fawn and her brother.”

“I did,” Nathaniel said, and drank the rest of his coffee in a shot. “But I’ve always seen him differently than everyone else.”

He handed me his cup and then buttoned up his suit jacket.

“If you need help, let me know.”

“I will. Thank you.”

Watching him leave, it amazed me how much he’d grown since Savannah came back into his life. Nathaniel was like a whole new person, and I loved this more mature version that wasn’t pulling his gun every day. Being a father and a husband suited him.

Putting the cups on the dirty tray for Levi, I grabbed my coat and walked out of the office. Hailey and Holly were right behind me, waiting as I locked the door. I stopped when I spotted Levi still at his desk.

“What are you still doing here?”

Levi pointed to the never-ending pile of paperwork from me.

“Believe it or not, I’m almost done and I’m on a roll. I’m not stopping until these are all dealt with.” He’d always been an incredibly hard worker.

“Well, don’t work too late.”

“Don’t worry, I’m billing you for overtime,” Levi said, and smiled, making me laugh. “Listen before you go…” He looked around, even though the office was pretty much deserted after five. “I didn’t mean to overhear your conversation with Nathaniel.” I arched a brow. “Okay fine, who am I kidding, I was totally eavesdropping. My point is that I like his idea. And…I just so happen to have the phone numbers and addresses of Dimitri’s mistresses, past and present.”

“How the heck did you get that? I don’t even have that information,” I said in astonishment.

“Oh please, what kind of superhero assistant would I be if I didn’t have the dirtiest of dirt, hottest of tea, and juiciest gossip on everyone. You know…for those just in case moments.”