Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CELESTE
“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.” - Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Never in my life have I felt more powerful than now.
Strapping on a holster around each thigh, I slide a pistol into each of the holders.
Glancing at myself in the mirror, I hardly recognize myself.
The girl with pigtails is long gone. The person I see is a confident, powerful Reaper ready to play.
If you would have told me that I would be the leader of the Italian Mafia, I would have laughed in your face.
I was content with working in the shadows of my father but in the end fate decided my destiny.
Alaric sent me a text that something came up with work and he wouldn’t be home for a while.
This worked in my favor because I didn’t have to come up with another lie of a meeting that ran late.
Technically it is a meeting but this one consists of bodies being dropped.
I told him I was going to be gone for a few days as something came up with work, just in case something went wrong and it became an all out war.
I couldn’t afford for him to go into panic mode and come looking for me.
My phone chimes, causing me to peel my eyes away from the mirror and walk over to the table to pick it up.
Antonio: Shipment has been delivered. Time to collect.
Pocketing my phone, I head out of my bedroom, down the staircase meeting Antonio at the front door.
I nod indicating that I’m ready and we step through the threshold to a mix of Italian, Irish, Swedish, and Russian men standing at guard ready for our signal.
I scan over the front of the mansion noticing that the Turkish are missing.
“Still no word from Egmen but we can’t afford another minute. Are you ready, Hansley?” Deniil confirms as if reading my mind.
“We have more than enough without him. Take note, we’ll be breaking our alliance with them as they couldn’t even grace us with their presence. Fucker,” I respond before I make way towards the SUV, sliding inside and sealing myself in.
A loud whistle is heard, signaling the men to move out.
Like an army of ants, they all sprint into action, disappearing into the sprawling driveway of SUVs.
We made a call to a connection with the governor to make a blind eye to any notifications of the amount of vehicles that are going to flood the roads.
There are no questions asked and a promise to keep any law out of our way.
Antonio opens the passenger back door, sliding into the seat next to me as two of my men take the front. The blacked-out SUV shifts to drive and we follow behind a few others up ahead. There’s no turning back, war is amongst us.
Before we put the plan into action, we’d sent everyone working for me in the mansion to a safe house until we give the all clear.
I also made it a point to make sure Blakely, her daughter, Samantha, Gabby, and Adelina were with them.
They knew better to protest. Blakely took one look at me and knew that it wasn’t the time.
She hugged me for a long time along with Adelina and they both lectured the boys to keep me safe and bring me home alive.
I also had paperwork drawn up for Antonio’s take over in case I fall.
He’s my second in command and a blood relative so it wouldn’t be questioned.
Larson was my second and was the back up in case we both fall.
I refuse to say goodbye to Alaric. If I did that, it was like a bad omen sealing me to hell for good.
He would be busy at the station keeping him far away from where we would be or even at the mansion.
They would destroy everything I owned if things didn’t go as planned, hence why the mansion would be empty.
Larson was already at the warehouse making sure the shipment was set into place and monitoring in the shadows with some of my men. He was told not to step into sight until we arrived, other than making the drop and leaving right away.
Bianca was coincidently spotted landing at a private airport this morning. I hope she’s there to be honest. It would make it easier to end her miserable, pathetic life along with the other little rats we have scurrying around.
“Five minutes out. Where do you want us?” the driver in the front asks.
“Across from the warehouse. As soon as we come to a stop, be ready,” I command as I look out the window.
I thought nerves would strike me once we got closer but I don’t feel a shred of it.
All I feel is the need for vengeance and bloodshed.
I wonder if my father ever felt this when he tore down his enemies one by one.
Father like daughter. Maybe I am the monster they claim me to be.
Centering myself, I let the darkness sweep through me to stake their claim.
“Your father would be proud of you, Celeste. We’ll make it out of here and alive. You hear me?” Antonio takes my hand, squeezing it with a promise.
“We do not falter and we do not break. Let’s make the bitch pay.” I give him a sly smirk.
The tires beat against gravel, kicking up rocks hitting the sides of the vehicle.
The warehouse comes into view with vehicles spread in a line side by side as if they’re a wall blocking out intruders.
A large truck sits behind them ready to haul the cargo they came to collect.
My phone chimes and I quickly pull it out thinking it’s a notification from someone in another vehicle but glancing down it’s from an unknown number.
Scrunching my brows together, I tap on it to see who it is.
Unknown: Celeste, it’s Monroe. I need you to call me asap. I have information for you.
The vehicle comes to a stop, giving me no time to respond. I pocket the phone and jump out of the car with the rest of the men. Whatever she has for me has to wait until we’re done here.
Exuding true power, the alliance of the most powerful Mafias walk side by side as their armies fall behind.
No doubt the thieves were warned of our arrival.
They emerge from behind the cars armed and ready.
The leader of the Albanian’s, Dalmat, the short, fat fuck actually decided to show face.
His face is full of a smug expression like he thinks he caught us by surprise.
His men surround him, forming a small group compared to ours. Pitiful.
“Alas, I get to meet the Little Reaper in person. You’re very popular on the streets these days,” Dalmat taunts.
He’s wearing a cheap suit that hugs his body so tight, his round stomach almost bursts from the seams. His greasy hair is swept back and there are stains along his white shirt.
Is that blood? It makes me almost laugh out loud with how he carries himself.
So confident for a little man who’s about to die.
“And you’re the cheap bastard who can’t afford their own product. Cute by the way. Your little group isn’t going to protect you.” I look them up and down with amusement.
A whistle fills the air causing my men to instantly raise their guns ready to take down whatever it is they signaled forward.
More men walk forward from behind the vehicles joining them front and center.
Egmen joins Dalmat at his side, avoiding any eye contact with any of us.
We still have the numbers but it does give them more manpower.
“I always knew you were a weak little bastard. Tell me, Egmen, do you sleep well at night knowing you betrayed and stole from your allies? How long have you been giving them our information.” Deniil’s Russian accent rolls thick with disdain.
My eyes narrow at the little rat who, for once, has nothing to say.
From the day that I took over and walked into the conference room, he’s been a royal pain in my ass.
He couldn’t stand to see a woman in power, but how long has he been working for them?
Was he willing to betray my father or just me, risking any source of protection he once had?
My hand inches to my side as every part of me wants to pull my gun and shoot him right in the center of his head.
I’m thinking about it. Someone has to start the war.
“Deniil, it’s so lovely to see you. Celeste, I would say the same but it’s not.
” Bianca appears out of thin air. “Egmen was a last minute addition. We had something in common. Neither of us believed you should be in control. You just won’t seem to die.
Lucky for me, being married to your father had its perks.
I had access to all his intel until a ghost showed back up and locked me out. ”
My eyes narrow at this wretched woman. I go to step forward when I’m stopped by a hand wrapped around my arm.
Cian motions to another individual who joins her side.
What is this a fucking reunion? Alaric’s Director stands tall, eyeing me up and down with utter disgust. What the fuck is he doing here?
Is this what Monroe was trying to warn me about?
“So, what? You recruited the second smallest man here? That’s cute. You’re a pathetic, desperate woman begging to continue to be part of something that you don’t belong in. You have nothing. I hope it was worth it,” I taunt.
“Ah, but it wasn’t for nothing. I got to see your father’s life leave his eyes and color drain from his body.
That itself was a reward. He never loved me.
He only married me to keep his position.
Constantly comparing me to your pathetic mother.
He should have given my son his position but instead, he left it for you.
When you die, my son will take his rightful place. ” She folds her arms to her chest.