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I turn my attention to Alex, my trusted confidant and head of security. “Alex, I need you to dig deeper into Marlena Voss’s operations. Find out her weaknesses, her connections, and anything else that could give us an edge. If she’s in league with Damian, that could spell disaster for Sophia… and us.”
Alex nods grimly. “Consider it done. I’ll leave no stone unturned.”
“Xavier, Jesse,” I say, shifting my gaze to them, “we need to bolster our defenses. Ensure our safehouses are secure, and keep a close eye on any unusual activities. We can’t afford to be caught off guard. For now, we need to not worry about expansion. There’s no point in growing our enterprise if we can’t protect it.”
Xavier’s jaw tightens, a silent promise of vigilance
Jesse’s smirk widens. “No one sneaks up on us. We’ll be the shadows they can’t escape.”
I turn to Dylan, who has been observing the proceedings with his usual inscrutable demeanor. “Dylan, I need your expertise. Check for any unusual patterns, any whispers in the criminal underground. We need to anticipate their moves.”
Dylan nods, his intensity focused on the task at hand. “I’ll tap into the shadows and see what I can find.”
“And if you could tell us anything the mayor might have heard… any bribes he might have been offered, whether he takes them or not…”
“Of course.”
As each member of our clandestine group accepts their assignments, the atmosphere grows charged with purpose. The delicate dance of power and loyalty continues, and the bonds that tie us together become more crucial than ever.
“But there’s one more thing,” I add, my gaze shifting between them. “We need allies, someone who can tip the scales in our favor. Any ideas?”
The room falls into a thoughtful silence as my lovers absorb the gravity of the situation. The Black Lotus, our sanctuary, becomes a strategic hub for a delicate balancing act between power, love, and survival.
Do any of them suggest a name? No. They’re suspicious of everyone, seeing enemies in the shadows and in the light, which only unnerves me all the more. My mafia is still fledging. I needmore members, but if you have no allies, you aren’t a mafia. You’re a sitting duck, and I don’t quack.
CHAPTER 3
Aweek passes. For the most part, things are quiet. Too quiet if you ask me. I’ve talked to the builders to see if we might be able to salvage anything, and the cleanup is just about done, but it’s a major setback, unfortunately.
That night, Dylan’s not supposed to be working at The Black Lotus, so I’m a bit unnerved when he shows up, especially because his eyes are on fire, and he looks ready to kill.
As soon as he meets my gaze, he marches over, grabs me by my elbow, and practically shoves me into my alcove.
“Dylan, what is going on?” I ask in a tense whisper.
“It’s Damian.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “What about him?”
“He wants to meet with you.”
“Does he now?”
“Yes. Tomorrow night. Valentino’s Delight at midnight.”
“Hmm. Isn’t that after hours?”
“Yes. If you’re going, and you should at least listen to what he has to say, then I’m coming with you.”
The air in The Black Lotus is thick with tension as I deliberate on Dylan’s insistence. His brooding demeanor suggests a protective edge, and I find myself caught betweenthe desire for his presence and the practicality of navigating this meeting alone. How will it look if I bring a bodyguard to the meeting? Not that I think Damian will come alone, but I have to be careful how this goes.
Although I suppose that his wanting us to meet at a restaurant, even if after hours, has to be a much better location than if he wanted a meeting at his house… or in his bedroom. No chance of that.
“Dylan,” I say slowly, my tone measured, “I appreciate your concern, but I need you to understand that I can handle myself. This meeting might be an opportunity to gather intel, and having you by my side might complicate things. Damian might not take to it well if I show up with a bodyguard.”
His intense gaze locks onto mine, a silent plea lingering in the shadows of his eyes. “Vanessa, I get it. I just don’t want anything to happen to you. We don’t know what Damian is planning, and I don’t trust him.”
A reluctant smile tugs at the corners of my lips. “I know you’re looking out for me, Dylan, but I need you to trust that I can navigate these waters. If things take a turn, you’ll be the first to know.”
