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Instead, I sit here quietly as Michael turns to me. "Fact is, I only took on a leadership role at Trinity enterprises, because I'd promised my wife I'd focus more on legitimate businesses and phase out the illegal ones. A goal we all share," he glances about the faces at the table. "Now that this business is up and running, I want to focus on the other parts of the organization and accelerate their transition to being above-board. Taking this on, along with everything else that I have to do to steer theCosa Nostraforward, has been a lot for me."
"It has?" I frown. Why is it that Michael doesn’t view declaring this in front of his one-time enemies a show of weakness? Why does it not come across as a sign of vulnerability? If anything, his being honest about his inability to manage it all makes him seem more in control.
"I’d rather spend more time with my wife," he offers.
"What are you saying?" I scowl.
"Yeah, what exactly are you getting at, Michael?" Luca says in a hard voice.
Michael rises to his feet and walks over to the head of the table. He folds his arms across his chest and glances at his brothers (and no, I don’t include myself in that category) "I know you guys trust me to make the right decision," he says in a matter-of-fact voice.
None of my brothers say anything to the contrary.
He turns to JJ and Nikolai, glancing at each of them in turn, "And I am a man of my word."
"I have no reason to doubt that," JJ confirms.
Nikolai merely raises an eyebrow.
Michael glances at me, "It’s why I am resigning from Trinity’s board, effective immediately—"
"What the—?" JJ looks taken aback.
"Cazzo," Luca exclaims, "you’re really going to do this, aren’t you?"
I sense Seb wanting to say something, but he stays quiet.
"What the hell are you trying to do here?" I force out the words, "If this is some kind of delaying tactic—"
"It’s not," Michael’s lips kick up, "I am giving you my position in Trinity."
"Don, what are you—" Luca begins to protest, but Michael holds up his hand.
"Can you give me a few minutes with my brothers?"
He addresses the question to JJ and Nikolai, who glance at each other, then rise and leave the room, along with Nikolai's brothers.
Then he turns to us, "Axel will represent the Cosa Nostra on the board of Trinity. I will step down. It will remain a three-way partnership, the profits being split among three parties. That should satisfy the Kane Company and the Bratva. As for us," he glances sideways at Luca, "with Xander gone, the proceeds will continue to be split among the seven of us within the Cosa Nostra, so the status quo is maintained. Does that answer your questions?"
30
Theresa
I come awake with a start. I am not sure what woke me up, but it’s still dark outside. I reach for my phone and check the time: two am.
Earlier, after trying on my wedding dress—which had been beautiful. Karma outdid herself—Cass, Karma and I had headed out for drinks. We’d had time only for one round of drinks, then Cass and Karma had to leave. They’d mentioned that the Sovrano brothers were meeting at Michael and Karma’s place and Karma wanted to get home before Michael returned, and Cass said that she had to get there to help with the food and drinks for the evening.
I’d asked if Axel was going to be there, but neither of them knew. They had invited me to accompany them, but I had declined.
Also, I hadn’t wanted to return to my parents’ place. There are only two nights to go until the wedding. And tomorrow night, I’ll definitely have to spend at home, as I won’t want Axel to see my dress before the wedding. Which means, I can spend tonight back at Axel’s place.
I had left him, wanting to spend time with my family, but I can't stop thinking of him. To be honest I haven't even slept properly since leaving him behind. I also wanted to check in on him and see how much he's improved since I last saw him. Besides, it's not wrong to want to spend time in your soon-to-be husband's home, right?
Strange, how I already think of the place as Axel’s, even though it had been Xander’s first. Have I really replaced Xander with Axel in my head so quickly? No, don’t answer that.
Either way, Karma hadn’t protested when I’d asked her to drop me off at Axel’s place.
She’d asked if I was sure about wanting to spend the night there and I had said yes. After making me promise that I’d call Seb first thing in the morning and have him drop me off at home, she had left, promising to have the dress with the final alterations delivered to my parents’ home by tomorrow afternoon.
