AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My phone rings as I’m about to get into my town car and I pick it up. “Hello?”
“How’s it going, boss?” Henry asks on the other end.
“I told you not to ring me!” I hiss.
He clears his throat. “We’ve been having trouble with the Belyaev Bratva.”
I grit my teeth in frustration. “What kind of trouble?”
“They’ve been trying to muscle their way into our territory,” Henry explains. “We can’t let them think they can overstep because you aren’t in town.”
“Motherfuckers,” I growl in annoyance. “What do you suggest we do about it?”
Henry sighs heavily into the phone. “Unfortunately, I think you have to make an appearance in London and take care of this. We need to make sure that they realize that fucking with us results in consequences.”
I scowl at his suggestion, my fist tightening angrily around my phone as I imagine myself leaving Washington right when everything is going so well. “I thought I made that clear when I sent Dmitry Belyaev to them in pieces.”
“Me too, boss, but they’re pushing back.” I can hear him rummaging around on the other end. “If you want me to handle it, I will. Just say the word.”
I shake my head. As much as I despise the idea of leaving Bella here for any amount of time, while there are other men vying to become her fiancé, I won’t let things go to shit in London. “No.” I check the time on my watch, noticing it is midday. “I’ll be there first thing tomorrow morning once I’ve tied a few things up.”
“Sure thing. See you tomorrow.” He ends the call.
It appears the moment I step out of London for more than a fucking week, everything goes to shit. Henry knows how important this trip is. He’s the only person on this earth who knows the truth and the reason why I’m trying to win Bella as my wife. He’s the only person who knows about Aiden.
I dial Gio’s number.
“Isiah,” he answers after the second dial tone. “I was just talking about you with my wife. We are really looking—”
“I’m going to have to stop you there, Gio. Unfortunately, something has come up in London that I need to go and deal with. I’m leaving this afternoon, but I’ll be back as soon as it’s sorted. So, I won’t be at dinner this evening.”
“Oh, that’s a shame. We were hoping to close the deal tonight.”
“Close the deal?” I ask.
“Yes, we really want you to marry Bella.”
I’m thankful to hear him say those words, but it makes leaving all that more difficult. “I’m glad to hear you say that, as I want to marry your daughter.” So that I can destroy your family from the inside out, just like you destroyed mine. I clear my throat. “Your daughter tried to convince me you had other suitors coming to dinner this evening.”
There’re a few moments of silence. “We do, but that was only in case you weren’t interested after meeting my fiery daughter.”
I laugh. “Believe me, I’m not easily dissuaded.”
“But the question is, do I announce it?” Gio asks, sounding uncertain. “You’re disappearing at a crucial time.”
“I assure you that I’ve every intention of marrying your daughter. I’ll be back within a few days at the most.” To ensure Gio understands why I’m returning. “Two weeks away from London has made some of my rivals gutsy and they need to be put back in their place.”
“Ah, I see.” He chuckles. “I sense we’re both very alike, you and I.”
I fucking hope not.
This man is the reason my twin is dead and buried in a park on the outskirts of Washington.
“Well, have a good trip to London and we’ll see you when you’re back.” He ends the call.
I dial the number of the private airstrip where my jet is being kept and ask them to fuel it, ready to leave this afternoon. And then I turn to my driver. “Take me to Dumbarton Oaks.”
He bows his head. “Of course, sir.”
