Epilogue #2
But we’d survived just as I’d promised, and that was what mattered the most. And oddly enough I’d fulfilled my duty to Drago. I’d assassinated Aguilar before succumbing to my injuries.
Doc was allowing me to sit at my desk for the meeting with Petrov, now Don of all three territories. Zoe and my officers joined me for the debriefing. Zoe sat at my side and my men stood at every corner of the room where they could defend me if necessary.
“Do not bother rising,” Drago ordered as he entered. “I am fully aware you are only partially healed.”
I hadn’t intended on moving so I didn’t bother to admonish him for trying to give me orders in my own little kingdom. I wanted this to be as civil as possible for all our sakes.
“Welcome, Drago. It was kind of you to come to the club rather than demand we come to you. My men have filled me in on their part in the rescue, but I prefer to hear it all from you because only you have the details I’m seeking,” I replied.
Drago’s eyes wandered to Zoe, so I gave him the offer he deserved. “Go ahead. Speak with Zoe first. I realize her health is just as much a concern for you as it is for me.”
He gave a nod of his head and asked, “Zoe, are you well?”
She smiled and answered, “I think you know I am. You came to the hospital multiple times. The nurses told me. And Doc said you called every day since I have been at the club. Thank you for caring enough to do that. I also thank you for saving us from Damien and Aguilar. I didn’t expect that after your declaration, but Prime did. ”
His eyes shifted from Zoe to me then back again.
“I say terrible things when I am angry and frustrated. And you, my daughter, are excellent at bringing forth both emotions in me. I would never allow you to die without doing everything in my power, which is considerable, to save you. I am glad Prime had the sense to understand that.”
“Would you have given Damien what he wanted in order to save me?” Zoe confronted him, her doubts making her words harsh.
“I would like to think so, but I cannot say for certain. Thankfully, it was not necessary to discover what kind of father I actually am. My plan worked and you are alive. I would like to offer you a chance to come home. You are missed by all,” he answered.
Zoe studied her father’s face before saying anything. Even I saw the love there though Drago didn’t realize it showed, but she needed something more.
“I will pretend I understand your doubt as to whether you would have traded your power for my life even though the idea of it hurts, but I need to ask something else. Will you change the rigid rules and allow me to be your heir? You know I am capable of doing so. If not, then perhaps, you could bend them a little and let me marry whoever I please and allow him to be your heir.”
Petrov’s eyes widened and he paled. “You know I cannot. The others would not allow either of those things regardless of what I think. I still believe someone within the organization should inherit my position and it should be a male. No one would take orders from a woman. We have not evolved that far, and we would be challenged by every enemy we’ve ever faced.
Besides, I have sworn an oath to Nikolaev. He will be my heir.”
“Father, he will kill you. He isn’t loyal to you. He wants to become an heir long before you are old and gray. He is by definition an assassin. You can’t trust him!” Zoe pleaded.
“You have mentioned your concerns several times. However, I believe you are mistaken. Nikolaev did not hesitate to aid me in the attack on Damien’s compound.”
He held up a hand to keep Zoe from commenting and continued, “He had every chance to have me killed during the battle and no one would have known the truth, yet he did not. He is doing well as my right hand. I trust him, but for your sake I will watch my back. It is something necessary anyway. Dons are always a target.”
“I will remain with Prime. Here I’m an equal, but don’t turn your back on Nikolaev. I promise he can’t be trusted,” Zoe replied, her lovely head held high in defiance.
Petrov nodded and turned his attention to me.
“You paid your debt in full. Aguilar is dead by your hands. You risked your own life to save my daughter. For both of those I am grateful. I am willing to forgive what you stole from her only because I can see the joy in her eyes when she looks at you. If you cause her harm or betray her that will change. You will not be able to hide from me. Your death will be my pleasure.”
I smiled. I believed every threat, but none of them mattered. Zoe would never come to harm as long as I was alive, nor would I cheat. Why would I?
“Now, I owe you an explanation,” Drago began.
“When Damien made his demands and told me he had Zoe I had just gotten reports from my spies. I learned of his deceptions, Andrei’s betrayals and much more.
Certain documents came to light and were provided to me and the other leaders proving Damien had made a contract with Aguilar to supposedly save his son.
“However, there were further documents that showed he intended to kill Aguilar and take over his current businesses, including the trafficking.
Money meant more to him than loyalty to the organization.
Andrei was to run them with complete freedom.
Damien did not care how it was done or how many of the captured died.
It was a way of making millions while keeping his son away from the scrutiny of the rest of us.
“As you saw, the leaders joined me in destroying Damien’s compound and apprehending him. Andrei had been sent to safety, but we were aware of it. His plane exploded in the air. A body has yet to be found.
“Your men aided in rescuing the trafficked women and children. They are receiving medical and emotional care at my expense. Those guarding them gave up without a fight. Just the sight of helicopters equipped with machine guns was enough to have them surrendering as armored vehicles surrounded the property.”
I rose from my seat and reached out to shake his hand. “I know our alliance isn’t an easy one, but I thank you for what you’ve done. I don’t in any way agree with many of your decisions, yet I must admit you are more ethical than most of your contemporaries.
“I assume you’ve been made Don since Damien is no longer in your way. I believe you’ve earned the honor and deserve it. I hope you prosper and don’t lose the values you now carry once your power grows.”
“I am who I am. I do not answer to you. I accept your good wishes with grace. Now I must return to Chicago. There are many things I must oversee, then I will move on to Miami. Zoe, it saddens me to leave you here,” Petrov stated.
Zoe walked to him, and to his surprise kissed his cheek. “Father, I am in love with Prime. I’m happy. Yet, I must warn you one last time. Nikolaev will kill you if he can, especially now that you control all three territories.”
Petrov patted her hand and replied, “Come home and marry him. Then, you will know I am safe.”