Chapter 16
CASSIA
When we step out of the elevator on the top floor, I start feeling bad about how I just spoke to Knight.
I take a few steps toward the boardroom before turning around to look at him. “I didn’t mean to snap. I’m sorry.”
He glances around the area before locking eyes with me. “I’m just looking out for your health. You can’t take over the organization if you end up in the hospital again.”
“I know. You’re right.” A smile tugs at my mouth. “I promise, I feel fine. I won’t overdo it.”
When he nods, I look at the open door to the boardroom. “You’ll have to wait outside again.”
“I understand.”
I suck in a fortifying breath as I start walking again, and right before I reach the doorway, Knight murmurs, “You’ve got this.”
His encouraging words make me lift my chin and straighten my spine as I enter the boardroom where Leo and Enzo are already waiting.
When Leo sees me, a smile spreads over his face. “You look much better.”
“Thank you.”
“How do you feel?” Enzo asks as I take a seat, his dark tone making the question sound like a threat.
I glance at the Portuguese man who’s in charge of a crime syndicate. I haven’t dealt much with Enzo Oliveira, but there’s something about his quiet demeanor that gives me the impression he’s the most brutal of us all.
“Ready for action,” I reply, my voice firm.
“That’s good to hear,” he mutters before glancing down at his phone that’s vibrating. “Excuse me.”
I watch as he gets up and walks to the floor-to-ceiling windows before answering the call with a bark, “What?” He listens for a few seconds before snapping, “Take care of the problem before I return, or I’ll scatter your body parts in your front yard for your family to see.”
Jesus.
He ends the call then dials another number before growling, “Keep an eye on Jardim. I don’t trust the fucker.”
My attention is one hundred percent focused on Enzo and I’m taking mental notes of how he conducts business.
Someone touches my shoulder, and my head spins to my left, where Santiago is standing.
“Good to see you out of the hospital,” he says. “I would’ve talked to you earlier, but Knight wanted to ask me something, and when I looked again, you were gone, and I didn’t want to intrude at your home.”
I offer him a grateful smile. “I appreciate everything you’ve done to get my aunt to the island.”
A wide grin spreads over Santiago’s face. “I like her. She said she bakes the best chocolate cake. Is it true?”
“Yes.” God, her baking is responsible for most of my weight gain as a teenager.
“I expect one as payment for everything.”
Thinking Santiago’s joking, I say, “Just let me have the fee, and I’ll settle it as soon as possible.”
A frown line appears between his eyes. “No, I meant it. All I want is chocolate cake.”
“It better be the best cake ever,” Leo chuckles.
“Just cake?” I ask to make sure.
“Yes.” Santiago takes a seat on the other side of the table and leans back in the chair. “If I like it, then she can bake me one every time we find ourselves on the island together.”
I stare at Santiago, not sure how to handle his generosity.
Screw it. Building a friendship with these men will only count in my favor.
I give him a friendly smile. “I’ll have my aunt bake a cake for you as soon as possible.”
Dominik comes into the boardroom, drawing our attention to him. “Sorry, I’m late. I can’t stay long. Grace’s morning sickness is severe today.”
“Oh no,” I say, leaning a little forward. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
He shakes his head. “I’ve got it covered.” Taking a seat, the man who’s responsible for creating the alliance locks eyes with me. “The bratva has flooded Greece. I got word that they’ve aligned themselves with someone who doesn’t want you at the head of the table.”
What?
“Fuck,” Leo mutters. “That’s not good. If this person manages to take over the Greek mafia, it will be bad for all of us.”
“And we don’t know who this fucker is?” Enzo asks.
Dominik shakes his head. “Only that it’s someone in the organization.” His eyes bore into mine with a serious expression that sends a chill down my spine. “Only the dead are innocent. Everyone is your enemy until you find the traitor.”
God. It’s so much worse than I thought.
Chills keep crashing over my body, and when I realize the traitor has had two weeks to sink his claws into my organization, anger explodes in my chest.
We were betrayed by someone we trusted.
My tone is icy as I vow, “I will find the traitor and kill the person. No one is taking my birthright from me. I’m heading to Chile today to meet with the remainder of my people before I return to Athens. ”
“We’ll help wherever we can,” Leo says.
“I’m heading back to Portugal today,” Enzo informs us. “When you return to Greece and need backup, just let me know.”
I’ll definitely take them up on his offer.
“Thank you.”
“Is there anything else we need to discuss?” Enzo asks.
“I’m good,” Santiago replies while he glances at everyone else.
“Nothing from me,” Dominik murmurs.
When Leo shakes his head, Enzo climbs to his feet. “I need to go. Let me know if anything important happens.”
When Enzo leaves, I turn my attention back to the other men. “Anyone know a group of trained mercenaries that’s for hire?”
Santiago lets out a chuckle. “Knight can help with that. He has contacts he served with who are always looking for extra work.”
Oh. Interesting. I thought he didn’t have any friends.
“Knight is your bodyguard now?” Dominik asks, an impatient look tightening his features.
He’s the only one in the group with tattoos on his face and neck. It makes him look more badass.
Maybe I should get a few tattoos so I can look badass, too.
I nod at Dominik. “He seems trustworthy.”
“He is,” Santiago throws in his two cents. “I plan on raiding a few of the Rojas cartel's businesses. I like pissing them off in my spare time.”
“Don’t piss them off too much,” Leo mutters. “The bratva is a big enough problem to deal with, and we don’t need to add the cartel to the list of people actively attacking us.”
“Nah.” Santiago gets up from his chair. “I can handle the cartel on my own.”
Wish I could say the same about the bratva.
“Stay in touch,” Dominik tells me.
“Send my regards to Grace,” I say as he heads toward the door.
Santiago pats my shoulder. “Good luck.” Then he jogs after Dominik. “So, are you naming your firstborn after me?”
“Not a chance in hell,” I hear Dominik grumble.
I glance at Leo while I rise to my feet.
He walks closer to me. “If you fall, I’m probably next on the bratva’s radar. I’ll have men on standby to help you.”
“I appreciate that.” I force a grateful smile to my face. “I hope I can repay the favor one day.”
“I’m sure you’ll get an opportunity at some point.” He reaches out and gives my left elbow a squeeze. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.”
“I will.”
I wait for Leo to leave the boardroom before I sink back down in the chair.
God.
A traitor.
It has to be someone high up. The bratva won’t work with bottom feeders.
I don’t even know who survived the attack.
Shit.
My breathing speeds up as I start to panic, and I lift a trembling hand to cover my mouth.
“Cassia?” I hear Knight’s voice, and I lift my head to look at him. One look at my face and worry tightens his features. “What happened?”
“Dominik found out there is a traitor in my organization who sided with the bratva to take down my family, and I have no idea who the person is.”
He comes closer and crosses his arms over his chest. “We’ll find out soon enough. Traitors don’t remain in hiding for long.”
Is it Michail, Dad’s right-hand man?
I might not get along with him, but he’s been with us since Dad took over from Grandpa.
Savvas?
The image of Savva’s jolly face pops into my mind. He’s always telling jokes and eating something. He used to babysit us. There’s no way he’d betray us.
Arthur is in charge of the soldiers. I haven’t had a chance to work with him often, so I don’t know him that well. He would have access to weapons, and he’s in a position to turn some of the soldiers against us.
“What are you thinking?” Knight asks.
“I’m trying to figure out who the traitor is.”
Whoever it is, they’ve had two weeks to take over the organization while I was lying in a hospital bed.
Fuck.
It makes it so much worse, knowing someone we trusted had Mom, Dad, Eleni, and Kiki killed. As well as Uncle George and Aunt Vasaliki.
God, not to mention all the guards, the housekeepers, and the workers at the warehouses.
I’m going to find the traitor and kill him myself.
Knight crouches beside me and places his hand on my knee. “We’ll find the fucker soon. In the meantime, the yacht is ready.”
“Right.” I shake my head in an attempt to clear my thoughts as I climb to my feet.
Knight straightens up, his eyes glued to my face.
“Santiago mentioned you know mercenaries,” I say while I start to walk toward the door.
“I do. How many do you need?”
“All of them,” I reply. “There’s no way I’m losing this fight.”