Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
He guides me past two rows to an area with six fresh graves. There aren’t any headstones yet.
There are only little plaques to indicate who is who, and I have to move closer to read the details.
George Dimitrou. Vasaliki Dimitrou.
In my grief and with everything that’s happened, I haven’t thought much about my aunt and uncle, and it makes me feel guilty.
I take a couple of steps to read the other plaques.
Ilias Dimitrou.
Oh, Mpampà, if only you hadn’t been so adamant about starting a war with the bratva.
Ana Dimitrou.
Mamá.
My chin starts to quiver, and my heart clenches painfully in my chest.
You were the best mother. It was such an honor to be your daughter.
I’ll never again hear her tell me she’s proud of me.
A sob bursts over my lips as I glance at the next plaque.
Kiki Dimitrou.
Mischievous Kiki. Never thought I’d miss the day of you pranking one of us.
Eleni Dimitrou.
I fold my arms around myself as the tears stream down my face.
I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.
The heartache becomes excruciating, and I let out a devastating cry.
Knight’s arms wrap around me, and he pulls me against his chest. Standing between my family’s graves, I mourn the loss I’ll never truly recover from.
When it’s time to leave, I pull my phone from my handbag and open a chat with the rest of the alliance.
Cassia: I’m going to make the bratva an offer they can’t refuse in order to avoid further bloodshed.
As I walk toward the car, I don’t wait long for the first response to come through.
Dominik: What offer?
Cassia: Access to my trade routes at a discounted price.
I wait a few seconds, then my phone vibrates.
Santiago: I think it can work. I’m knee-deep in Rojas shit and don’t need a war with the Bratva.
Leo: Sounds good.
Dominik: I’m okay with that. Avoiding bloodshed at this point in time is wise.
Enzo only sends a thumbs-up.
Let’s hope my plan works.
As I type the phone number, I suck in a fortifying breath.
Here goes nothing.
Knight is sitting on the other sofa, his eyes glued to me as I press dial.
The line connects, and my heart starts beating faster as I listen to it ringing.
“Da!” A man barks over the line.
“Is this Rodion Nikitin?” I ask with a firm tone.
“Yes. Who’s this?”
“Cassia Dimitrou.”
He lets out a chuckle. “I heard rumors there was a survivor.”
“Four bullets aren’t enough to take me down.” I inhale slowly. “I want a meeting with you. I have a proposal.”
“Why should I meet with a little girl?” He laughs. “What kind of proposal?”
“Use of my trade routes,” I offer.
“The other Greek already gave me that deal.”
I expected as much.
“Yeah, but did he give it to you at a discounted price of five percent for the first year, ten percent for the next year, and fifteen percent thereafter?”
There’s only silence for a few seconds before his voice rumbles over the line, “That’s a good deal, but how will you make it happen? You’ve lost everything.”
“I only suffered a temporary setback,” I mutter. “I’m sure the traitor didn’t mention to you that he has no access to the organization’s finances. You wouldn’t be that stupid as to make a deal with a man who doesn’t have the millions needed to run the business, would you?” I take another breath.
“He said he would get the money after the attack,” Nikitin replies. “He told me this morning he’ll have it all handled by the end of the week, so I guess you should watch your back.”
Jesus.
I know who betrayed us because, besides Dad and myself, only two other people had access to the bank accounts. He would know I transferred all the money out of the accounts, and he’s probably trying to figure out a way to kill me and still get the money.
Holy shit.
“Only if I died, which I didn’t.” My tone is much harsher because of the information I just learned. “I’m the only one with access to the funds.”
“That changes things,” he murmurs. “Okay. I like the deal, but maybe we can sweeten it.”
“What do you want?”
“You’re alone. You need a man–”
“No!” I snap. “I’m not alone. I have Santiago Castro, Dominik Varga, Enzo Oliveira, and Leo Toscana.” I take a breath, then continue, “And I’m engaged to be married.”
“To one of the remaining three?” he asks.
“No. Who I marry is none of your business.”
Knight stands up, his expression dark as he starts to stalk up and down.
“Women are so emotional. One little question, and you’re upset,” he says while chuckling. “I prefer to work with a man.”
“My right-hand man will deal with you in the future, but you’re making this deal with me. It’s only on the table for the next five minutes.”
“Who’s your second-in-charge?”
“Lincoln Knight.”
Nikitin is quiet for a moment, then he asks, “Castro’s sicario?”
“He doesn’t work for Santiago,” I inform the Russian. “He has aligned himself with me.”