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“I thought you’d want to know first.”
“You were right,” I told him. “But don’t wait until morning to call her.” I didn’t wait for his reply. “Elena’s case was dropped.”
“How did you manage that?” Stavros asked.
I glanced at him, thinking about what Constantine had suggested. “The Brotherhood.”
He’d never openly criticized my involvement with the alliance, but in private he’d made certain I knew his thoughts. He shifted his gaze toward Whitney, knowing better than to disrespect me in front of her as well. Then what he said next surprised the hell out of me.
“Maybe one day you’ll tell me about this Brotherhood.”
“Yeah. Maybe one day I will.”
CHAPTER23
“Family is not an important thing, it is everything.”
—Michael J. Fox
Phoenix
Family.
How many times had I touted that my family meant everything to me? How often had I acted in violence against those who’d dared cross a member of my family?
More times than I could count.
I’d sacrificed.
Shed blood.
Caused destruction.
Leveled enemies.
Was it for love or out of a sense of conviction?
I fisted my hand, bringing it to my face as I pondered why it hadn’t allowed my own life to take a backseat because of family. Pride? Respect?
Loyalty.
The sense of family was stronger today, mostly because of the woman sitting next to me. Whitney had awakened more than just the sadistic beast inside. She’d empowered me to challenge every belief I’d had. My gut told me that today’s events would be more than just eye opening. It would be another awakening to the true treachery of the business I was in. How I handled the fallout would shape the future of my family and the regime.
The weight was crushing.
I’d always believed that if something was too easy to achieve then there was likely a sharp edge ready to puncture the balloon of fiction surrounding it. My instinct told me everything was about to come to a head. I’d played a hand that was risky as fuck, but I had to flush out who was behind the betrayal in the first place. If what Whitney had told me was true about what her father had said, then he was the one who’d been used as a pawn.
If he’d found the evidence against the traitor and was discovered, allowing him to take the fall was perfect as a lead in for what the treacherous son of a bitch had planned.
The sun streamed in through the windows, the day glorious. Even the ocean seemed brighter than normal, the various shades of turquoise a reminder that I hadn’t taken any time off in years.
After this nightmare was over, I had plans on taking Whitney to Greece. To hell with extended family. Maybe some of her rebellious nature was rubbing off on me.
As the plane made its final approach into Miami, I yanked out a fresh magazine of ammunition, replacing the one in my weapon. Whitney watched me without saying a word.
Would she ever grow accustomed to my life? That remained to be seen, but I’d do everything in my power to ensure she was well taken care of.
“When should I contact Elizabeth?” she asked. I was surprised by her lack of emotion, her tone colder than I was used to hearing.
