Chapter 30
CASSIA
When I walk into the last warehouse after visiting the other two, it’s to find my people are hard at work.
No one notices as I watch them for a few minutes. Some are putting jewels in stuffed bears, and others are placing counterfeit notes in baby formula tins.
“Can I have everyone’s attention,” I call out.
Heads snap up, and slowly, it grows silent.
“I’m happy to see you all hard at work, but I have announcements to make.” When I’m sure I have their attention, I lift my chin higher. “I’ve taken over my rightful place as the head of the organization. If anyone has a problem with it, you’re free to leave right now.”
I wait for a full minute, and when no one gets up to leave, I gesture at Knight. “This is Lincoln Knight. He’s my second-in-charge, and you’ll report to him going forward. Savvas is no longer with us. He betrayed us and paid for it with his life. If anyone else tries to betray the organization, I will execute them.”
They all just keep looking at us. Then I add, “Everyone will get a ten percent increase.”
Cheers break out, and it has me muttering, “I thought that would get a reaction out of them.”
Knight chuckles, then steps forward and shouts, “Get back to work. I want the cargo on the trucks by sundown. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
“Yes, boss,” some of the people shout, but the vibe remains happy from the good news I gave them.
“That takes care of the warehouses. Let’s go home. I don’t want to be late for my meeting with Arthur.”
We head out to the SUV and get in. When Knight starts the engine, he asks, “Are you going to leave Arthur in charge of the soldiers and weapons?”
“No. I’m thinking about letting Saunders take over that part of the business. What are your thoughts?”
He shrugs. “He’s a good choice, but what will you do with Arthur?”
“While you deal with the warehouses, Arthur can manage the shipping yards. It will free up some of your time so you can accompany me to meetings.”
“Makes sense.”
I let out a sigh. “Things are slowly falling into place.”
“Only because you’re good at what you do,” he praises me.
When we reach the mansion, Knight steers the SUV up the driveway before parking in front of the entrance.
“After this meeting, I need to go back to the island to speak with my aunt. I think it’s safe for her to go home.”
“I’ll make the arrangements,” Knight says before climbing out of the SUV.
I follow him into our home and head straight for my office. As I take a seat behind the desk, I hear a car engine, and glancing out the window, it’s to see Arthur and Andrew pulling up behind our SUV.
I roll my shoulders and take a deep breath. A few minutes later, I hear footsteps, then Knight comes into the office, followed by Arthur.
His arm is in a sling, and his face is swollen with a myriad of bruises.
“How do you feel?” I ask as I gesture at a chair.
“I’ve been better, but I’m ready to work,” he replies as he sits down. With the one eye that’s not swollen shut, he looks at me. “I’m sorry for your loss, Cassia. I wish there was more I could’ve done.”
“You’ve done a lot for me, Arthur, and I want you to know I appreciate it.”
He nods, then says, “Congratulations on your position as the head of the organization. I want you to know I agree with how you’ve chosen to handle things. I was worried about going to war after the hit we took. I have to rebuild our army.”
I shake my head. “Saunders will take over from you. I want you to manage the shipping yards. The deal I’ve brokered with the bratva is important to me, and I need to know I have someone I can trust at the docks. Our load is going to increase considerably with the shipments coming in from the bratva. Knight will handle the warehouses. You’ll work with him, but you’ll report to me.”
He nods. “If that’s where you want me, then that’s where I’ll be.”
“Have Andrew assist you so he can start learning about the business.” I offer him a smile. “I’m also giving you an increase. You’ll get five percent of everything we make.”
“Christ, Cassia,” he gasps. “So much?”
“If you have an investment in the organization, you’ll work twice as hard to make a success of it. I won’t build my empire on the broken backs of my people. We all rise or fall together.”
Arthur looks at me with so much respect it makes me feel emotional. “I better get to work then. We have a lot to do.”
I stand up and hold my left hand out to him because his right one is in the sling. We shake before he hurries out of the office, then I sit back down.
Knight looks at me with pride shining in his eyes. “What’s next on the agenda, boss?”
“Prepare the private jet so we can go to the island,” I tell him while giving him my sweetest look. “Please, ángele mou. ”
“I’ll get it done.” He hesitates for a few seconds, then asks, “Can we stop at Santiago’s place?”
“Sure.”
Placing his hands on the desk, he leans over it to give me a kiss. “Thank you, baby.”
When he pulls back and walks to the door, I say, “Schedule the flight for the afternoon. We’re going shopping first.”
He lets out a groan that has me laughing at him.
When we walk into the store, Knight does not look happy. You’d swear I’m leading him to a torture chamber.
“I let you see my butthole. Suck it up,” I mutter to him.
He lets out a bark of laughter, which warms my heart. He glances at some of the clothes as we walk by them, then says, “This is not my style.”
“You’re not getting any of those. I’m having your measurements taken for suits,” I say as I place my hand on his lower back and shove at him to keep walking to where my family’s tailor is waiting.
Christakis has made most of my dresses and every suit Dad wore. The man has an amazing eye for detail.
“Miss Dimitrou, it’s so good to see you,” he greets me with a friendly smile.
When I lean in so we can kiss each other cheeks, I’m grabbed by the arm and yanked backward. My eyes fly to Knight, who only shakes his head, his face set in a scowl.
Okay then. No kissing other men, even if it’s to greet them.
I like that he’s jealous, though.
Grinning, I say, “Thank you for squeezing us in on such short notice. This is Lincoln, my fiancé.”
Knight just gives Christakis a chin lift, who reciprocates by watching my man with caution.
“Let’s do this,” Knight mutters while pulling his gun from behind his back.
Poor Christakis’ eyes go wide, and the man almost faints at the sight of the weapon.
I open my handbag and say, “Drop it in.”
Knight shakes his head and instead leans into me and pushes the gun into the waistband of my suit pants at my back, then explains, “It’s easier for me to get to it.”
Then he leans down and pulls the knife from his boot before dropping it into my handbag.
“Any other weapons?” Christakis asks.
“No,” I reply. “It’s safe to take his measurements.”
“Good.” Christakis sounds relieved as he pulls a book closer, in which he always notes all the measurements, then looks Knight up and down. “Broad shoulders. Trim waist. The suit will look very good.”
“Right.” I grin from ear to ear. “I can’t wait to see him in one.”
There’s only silence from Knight.
Christakis starts to measure his arms, shoulders, and back, then moves to my man’s neck, chest, and waist.
But when the tailor moves down to the crotch area, Knight gives him a look of warning. “Touch my dick, and I’ll break your neck.”
I roll my lips between my teeth in an attempt not to laugh, but then Christakis, looking all serious, says, “I have to make sure the pants fit right so there’s no bulge. Stand still.”
Knight’s head snaps into a tilted position when Christakis takes the measurements while practically taunting death.
When he places the measuring tape along the inner seam of Knight’s leg, his hand accidentally presses against what I can only assume is Knight’s balls.
He gives the poor man a murderous glare, and I quickly take hold of his hand and shake my head so he won’t kill my tailor.
Looking unhappy as fuck, Knight endures everything until Christakis is finished.
“You better laminate those measurements because this is never happening again,” he growls.
“I agree,” Christakis mutters.
At least the tension leaves the room once we start looking at fabrics, stitching, and buttons.
I’m surprised when Knight leans into me, saying, “I like the black with the pattern.”
My eyes snap to Christakis. “I want three suits with this fabric.”
The tailor nods, and looking encouraged by Knight’s interest, he starts showing him more fabrics.
As I watch Knight relax while he tells Christakis what he prefers and what he doesn’t like at all, a smile curves my lips.
My angel is slowly returning to life, and it’s a beautiful thing to watch.
When we’re done placing our order and I take out my wallet so I can pay, Knight shakes his head. “I’ve got this.”
“No.” I level him with a scowl. “This is my treat. Please.”
He stares at me for a moment but then gives in and nods.
A happy smile splits over my face, and I stand on my tiptoes to kiss him. “Thank you, ángele mou. ”
Knight reaches behind me and takes his gun back, and while I make the payment, he digs his knife out of my handbag before shoving it into the side of his boot.
“Thank you, Christakis,” I say, avoiding the goodbye kiss and only giving his arm a squeeze.
“Most of the suits will be ready in three weeks, but the ones with hand stitching will take two months,” he tells me as he walks with us to the entrance of the store.
“Okay. Just give me a call.”
He nods. “It was good seeing you.”
“Likewise,” I reply before I head out of the store with Knight. “Now for casual clothes.”
“There’s more?” he asks.
“Oh, so much more.” I grin at my man.
It feels good taking care of him.
We climb into the SUV, then he says, “Before you get all excited about getting me more clothes, we have to stop somewhere.”
“Okay.”
As he drives to our next destination, I realize I feel lighter than I’ve felt in months, if not years.
The pressure of learning about the business and trying to please Dad, while trying to do things my way, is gone.
The grief isn’t as intense anymore.
I feel grounded and happy, and it’s all because of Knight.
I turn my head and look at him. “Thank you for sticking by my side when I tried to push you away.”
His eyes flick to me before returning to the road ahead. “You’re welcome.”
He slows the SUV down, and after parking it, we get out, and he comes to take my hand.
When he leads me to a jewelry store, his thumb brushes over my ring finger, and he says, “I hope I got the size right.”
My eyes widen, and I’m at a loss for words when he leads me into the store.
“When did you have time to go ring shopping?”
“While you were working in the office. I left Davies to watch you while I went out for thirty minutes.”
We stop at a counter, and the lady behind it smiles brightly when she recognizes Knight.
There’s a surge of jealousy in my chest. I move closer to my man, and with my eyes locked on hers, I rub my cheek against his shoulder while practically marking my territory.
Not noticing a thing, he wraps his arm around my shoulders while saying, “Hi, Evelina. I’m here for the ring. Knight.”
“Of course.” Her smile isn’t as bright anymore.
I watch as she pulls a box from beneath the counter and places it on the glass top.
Knight grabs it before she can open the lid. “Thanks.” He turns his back to me, and I assume he’s looking at the ring.
I hear the box snap shut, and without saying anything else, I’m steered out of the store. Knight shoves the box into his pocket, and when he notices my questioning look, he says, “Patience, little goddess. I have somewhere specific I want to give it to you.”
Excitement bubbles in my chest, and I start picturing Knight going down on one knee.