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“As sure as we can be,” Alistair, the new head of the Kypianos family, admits. “That doesn’t mean we won’t stop looking, though. We have the software you provided running down the Santos brand. We’ve had nineteen hits so far. We’re working on recovering those girls as we speak.”
“Thank you, Alistair.”
I look around the room before perching my ass on the corner of the desk. “I know it feels like we’re cleaning up a mess we didn’t make, but the families being complacent is what led us here in the first place. I believe in us. I believe we can be a formidable force to be reckoned with. But to do that, we have to stand united. I’m not saying we have to braid each other’s hair or that your businesses need to be squeaky clean. I’m not asking for miracles here, people,” I joke, hearing a few returning chuckles.
“But Santos reigned for so long because none of the families worked together to overthrow him, even when he resurfaced. Individually, you knew he had the upper hand, but together, you could have wiped him out. Yet you let pride get in the way, and each of these girls paid for your sins.” I open the folder and hold up the first picture—a woman naked, on her knees, with the Santos brand burned into her shoulder.
“She is someone’s daughter, someone’s sister. Imagine if she were yours.”
The people in the room shift uncomfortably.
“None of us have clean hands here. We all played a part in her downfall, but now it’s time to stand up and do fucking better.” I toss the folder on the desk beside me and watch as more photos spill out.
“You do what you have to do to fund your families, but I draw the line at people. No man, woman, or child will ever be sold like cattle under my watch,” I tell them, my voice leaving no room for arguments.
Calisa speaks up, “I think I speak for everyone when I say we wholeheartedly agree.”
The others nod in agreement. I take a deep breath and blow it out. “Good. Now that that’s out of the way, does anyone have anything they wish to discuss?”
“Our communities are suffering.” the new head of the Galanis family says. “Though some of us have seen profitable years, the wealth didn’t filter down to everyone.”
“That’s because your predecessors were greedy bastards. Ruling with fear, though effective, does you no favors. Your people won’t stay loyal and will be easily bought. To make your families strong, you’ll need to give back to the very communities you take from. I’m talking about jobs, education, and housing. That is up to each family, but I can help. As you know, I have a few connections in both the US and Russia. This isn’t ayou scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yoursthing. Just show me you can do better, and I’ll provide you with every resource I can.”
People throw out questions after that, and I answer them, feeling zero sense of animosity. If anything, the room is buzzing with excitement. It seems I’m not the only one ready to see a change.
When the door opens and Calix strolls in, people quiet down. Everyone is still wary of the man, and neither of us does anything to their fears.
“Is it that time already?” I check my watch and curse.
He doesn’t answer. He walks up to me and, not giving a single fuck about anyone else in the room, slides his hand around my waist, tugging me off the desk and yanking me to him. His lips are on mine a moment later. Everyone else fades away, and I lose myself to him.
A cough breaks us apart. I reach up and wipe the lipstick from his mouth before addressing the room. “Calix is going to take over. I’ll be back in a few days, so please don’t do anything stupid in my absence. He gets a little murderous when people piss him off.”
I look up at Calix and lower my voice so only he can hear me, “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
“I never wanted to rule, but I have no problem worshiping my queen.” He grins. “Go, I’ve got this. Rémy is waiting for you outside.”
I press a quick kiss to his lips. “Love you.”
“I love you too.”
I offer everyone a smile, and I head out to Rémy, who is waiting for me with a cell phone to his ear.
“You know I am not your personal assistant,” he snaps.
I smirk as I hear a familiar Russian accent down the line.
“I should have killed you when I had the chance,” Rémy mutters before holding the phone out to me. “It’s for you.”
I put the phone to my ear and grin as Rémy places his hand on the small of my back and leads me toward the waiting car. “Hey, Maxim. What did you do now to piss Rémy off?”
“Breathe,” he deadpans, making me laugh. “I’m not joking, ahn-gyil. That man does not like me.”
“Rémy doesn’t like anyone but me.”
The man in question slides his hand to my ass and squeezes it in confirmation.
“This is true,” Maxim sighs before I hear him yelling at someone in the background. “Sorry about that. I swear I’m surrounded by idiots. I had hoped to fly back with you today, but alas, it was not meant to be.”
