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I looked strong.
I felt stronger.
CHAPTER 14
Anastasia
Afew hours later, I finally got the call I’d been waiting for. The phone buzzed on the sleek surface of the dresser, and I quickly reached for it, my fingers deftly swiping to answer.
“The job’s done, boss. All targets eliminated,” Ivan said, his voice coming through crisp and clear.
A wave of relief washed over me, and I couldn’t help but let a small smile play on my lips. “Good. I appreciate your efficiency, Ivan.”
There was a brief pause, and then Ivan’s voice softened, breaking from his usual stoicism. “You made the right call, Anastasia. It’s not an easy decision, but you showed strength. Your father would be proud.”
Surprised by the unexpected praise, I felt a swell of gratitude. “Thank you, Ivan. Your support means a lot.”
With that, I ended the call and couldn’t help but smile, feeling pride both at Ivan’s praise and the success of one of my first decisions as the leader of my organization.
I smiled wider.
Iwas the one that had ordered the successful hit and not the twins. That gave me a disproportionate amount of glee, far more than it should have, and I decided it was finally time to emerge from my room to see what they thought.
I opened my door and headed down the hallway.
As I descended the stairs, hushed sounds of conversation reached my ears from the kitchen. Instinctively, I slowed my steps, my curiosity piqued. Connor and Caden were leaning in and whispering to one another, their voices low, but as soon as Caden looked up and sensed my presence, their conversation halted abruptly.
“Hey, Anastasia,” Connor greeted, a quick exchange of glances passing between him and Caden.
“What were you guys talking about?” I asked, trying to keep my tone casual, but their guarded expressions told me there was more to the story.
Caden cleared his throat, feigning nonchalance. “Just some family business, nothing you need to worry about.”
I raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced by their dismissive response. “Family business, huh?”
Connor flashed a quick smile, attempting to divert the conversation. “It’s nothing, just discussing some arrangements. You know, the usual stuff.”
“Were you two whispering about the hit on the cartel?” I asked, cutting to the chase.
The flash of recognition in their eyes and their puzzled expressions were enough to confirm my suspicions, and I sat down at the table, reaching towards the center basket where I grabbed a green apple and took a small bite.
Connor and Caden exchanged glances, seemingly caught off guard. After a moment, Connor shrugged, feigning innocence. “How did you…?”
“I ordered it,” I declared, interrupting him. The revelation hung in the air, and I watched as their faces grew puzzled.
“You ordered the hit?” Caden echoed, a mix of surprise and approval in his tone.
“I did,” I confirmed, feeling my sense of pride blossom into something bigger. I cocked my head, watching as the two of them glanced at one another again.
A moment of silence reigned over the room. It felt like the room itself was holding its breath.
“You ordered the hit that killed Miguel Delgado, Alejandro Ramirez, Felipe Ortega, and a dozen of their soldiers,” Connor murmured.
Slowly, understanding began to dawn over their faces. Maybe they’d be mad I stole their thunder, but whatever.
“Are you going to spank me again?” I asked sarcastically, lifting my chin and challenging them directly.
“No. We’re just going to make you wait,” Caden said back, glancing from his brother to me with a dark look in his eyes thatchilled me to the bone. Connor’s eyes sparkled with amusement, and I swallowed hard, looking from one to the other as I tried to figure out what he might mean.
