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“Oh, I know, Dad. You never fail to remind me what our jobs are, especially mine. At least very soon I’ll get to put my expensive education to good use providing my recommendations.”
His retort was usual, their sparring almost always riddled with anger.
“I’ll go with you,” Stavros stated without bothering to look me in the eyes. “You’ll need backup on this. You can’t trust Zakaryan.”
“No, I certainly cannot. Jonas will remain to keep the peace in the streets.” The earlier attack had spooked some of our wealthy clients, enough so the corporation could lose millions of dollars if the situation wasn’t rectified within the next forty-eight hours.
“Are you certain he’s not behind this?” Stavros tossed out. “Jonas was the only one who could have tipped off the enemy soldiers.”
I shifted my gaze between my two brothers before smiling. “I know what I’m doing, Stavros. And I am in charge of this organization. Something for both of you to keep in mind.”
“I certainly don’t want your job, King Phoenix,” Nico teased. I could tell he remained in pain, his insistence to return to the family business admirable but stupid at this point.
“If that bastard betrayed us, I will kill him with my bare hands.” Stavros had never liked Jonas, always questioning the man’s loyalty.
“Nothing happens until I have the opportunity to see what Theodore sent to his daughter.” And more important, why he hadn’t felt he could come to her or to anyone else in the family with his concerns. “Nico. I need you healthy. Coordinate with our soldiers on keeping a full sweep of the streets tonight and into the morning. Let Jonas know what you’re doing. I want to know the second there’s any activity, no matter how small.”
“I can do that.”
“And keep an eye on Elena and Alexandra, Elena especially. The attack earlier today could also have been geared toward eliminating her for what she knows. She will not want to follow the rules, but she’s not leaving the house.”
“You’re fearful Zakaryan will eliminate every loose end. What the fuck do these people want?” Nico asked.
“Zakaryan wants what he believes he should already be his,” Pops said in passing. He was right. Zakaryan had assumed a partnership would be formed. Over my dead body.
Stavros muttered in Greek, a passage I couldn’t understand. “You gave your blessing on Elena’s union with Jonas. She’ll be pissed if you change your mind.”
“If by that you’re suggesting I plan on arranging her wedding to Zakaryan’s son, that will never happen as long as I’m alive.”
“That’s what I mean, brother. I’m still convinced Jonas is behind this. Let me have a chance to talk with him.”
“You’ll do nothing of the kind. I’m not jumping to conclusions about any aspect of this dicey situation, Stavros. I’m merely taking full control of the reins.”
“Spoken like a true Diamondis.” Pops paddled his way to the steps, grunting as he climbed off the float, the cigar still in his hand. “When is the wedding?”
“That’s not important right now, Pops,” I told him.
“Yes, it is, Phoenix,” he countered. “Children are vital to the continuation of our lineage. You need to remember what’s most important.”
I shared a chuckle with my brothers. “I’ll take that under advisement as with all your other good information. But that’s a discussion for another night. This needs to be finished.”
I was so antsy my skin was beginning to crawl, the deceit swirling around me like an infested body of murky water, sharks waiting to attack. While I wanted to be angry with my lovely bride to be for keeping me in the dark, she was suffering from constant uncertainty about her father’s intentions.
“I think we all agree. Zakaryan’s foiled attempt today will only boost his aggravation. He’ll try more aggressive methods.”
“Then he will die.” My words were frank, stated simply, and the truth. Even if Gabriel was able to intervene, the assistant could prove to be too late. “We’re leaving in the morning. Be at the airstrip by ten.” I nodded to my father before heading toward the front door, my chest tightening. Goddamn it, I hated this shit. Playing poker with Zakaryan was not only disruptive, it was also a pain in the ass.
And could prove to be deadly. How many more innocent lives would be taken until Zakaryan came out of his hiding spot?
Stavros nodded, following me to the front door. “You’re marrying that woman, an enemy.”
“Contrary to what you’re thinking, Whitney isn’t to blame for any of this.”
“You underestimate the power of a woman. She could be working with the Armenians, the entire situation one puppet show after another and she’s pulling the strings, watching as you flail around like a broken, twisted doll.”
While a part of me understood his damning statement, I fisted my hand by instinct, another wave of anger smashing through the surface. No one talked about my woman that way.
“Go ahead, brother. Take a hard punch or two just like you did when we were kids.”
