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“Careful, little sister. Our brother is in love.” Nico’s voice cut through the air, hitting me hard.
I turned my head in his direction, taking a deep breath.
“Nonsense,” Pops said more in passing. “Phoenix is far too intelligent to fall for an enemy.”
“She’s not an enemy, Pops. Just an innocent victim like Elena.”
The quiet was unnerving. Finally, Alexandra laughed, lifting her glass in my direction. “That would certainly spice things up around here. I can’t wait to meet her.”
As with all families, the constant bickering and one-upmanship eventually became annoying.
“Mother. Take the girls to finish lunch,” Pops said as he stared at me.
My father’s old-fashioned ways included the women never being bothered by terms of business. I smirked as Elena rolled her eyes. Both my sisters could easily defend themselves, trained on several weapons. However, they learned a long time ago it was best to follow our father’s rules to protect the harmony.
“Call me. I’ll take this love of your life shopping,” Elena said snidely before tilting her head toward my lieutenant.
I sensed Jonas growing more uncomfortable. He usually didn’t keep his mouth shut during the family conversations.
Whatever his issue, I was through with family antics, eager to return to the estate.
And to her.
As soon as I could no longer see any of the three women, I moved closer to the group. “We need to strike back against Zakaryan.”
“I second that,” Nico snorted, his eagerness unusual. For most of his life he’d acted as he he’d wanted nothing to do with the family business. Maybe he was finally all grown up.
“What do you suggest?” our father asked.
“A strike in their territory. Some of his top men frequent an Armenian restaurant.” Jonas had found the perfect spot, the access both in and out of the area as well as the small restaurant easy. In addition, I could control who was eliminated.
“Where?” Nico asked.
“I’ll let you know when the time arrives,” I told him. No one was getting the information early. I needed to ensure there would be no betrayals. The attack needed to be a complete surprise.
“Always the cautious one,” Stavros threw out, his words not meant as a compliment.
Scowling, I refused to play his game.
Pops thought about what I was saying then I noticed he was starting to fade away. None of my siblings had noticed or been told of his deteriorating condition. It was going to stay that way.
“Jonas. Why don’t you give Pops the details? I need to talk to my brothers.”
Jonas eyed me carefully then nodded.
I moved toward Stavros, Nico following. “This needs to be coordinated carefully.”
“Why not bomb the place?” Stavros asked.
“Because we’re not killing innocent people. We take out who we need.”
He laughed, cursing in Greek as if I couldn’t hear him. “And who’d going to be the judge of who lives or dies?”
“Women and children live, brother,” Nico shared.
“You’re not going,” I told him.
“Like hell I’m not. It’s time to pull my weight in the family.”
