Chapter 30
Emmeline
“Hiya. I understand you were all hot and bothered when your photographer you hired lost the photographs of me. You know the guy I mean, the one you had killed to tie up loose ends?”
I slipped into the seat opposite the gray-haired man, immediately crossing my legs. The heels I’d chosen were already killing me, but I’d suffer through.
I had to look the part of the femme fatale.
His shock was evident by the twitch in the corner of one eye. That was all I’d get as he was a consummate actor. But he did move his arm under the desk.
Sighing, I wagged my finger at him. “Don’t bother, William.
Do you honestly think I’m some dumb chick who didn’t find your panic button leading to your hot little secretary out there?
You know, the one linked to the police chief you have drinks with every Friday night.
Another Brotherhood member. So distinguished. Anyway, it’s been disabled.”
There was no doubt he recognized me yet he could never have expected my appearance in the middle of his office. There was delicious fun in the element of surprise. We’d managed a best kept secret with various company announcements, including where the family would be on this very day.
Not in Savannah.
“Well, here I am. Now, while neither I nor my family has yet to figure out why you wanted the photographs, maybe for blackmail or at minimum intimidation, it doesn’t matter.
In the end, you and your rich, very old cronies thought that by forcing my hand at marrying one of your own, you’d have a leg up on the Prince family and the Five Families. Right?”
He remained quiet, but his breathing was labored.
So I continued.
“Yes, you were buddies with Walter Emmett, growing up with him, your fathers initiated into the Elite group of the Brotherhood at an early age, so you and Walter followed in your fathers’ footsteps.
When Walter’s stepdaughter Josette decided to marry a member of the Prince family instead of Zane Emmett, your friend was crushed.
You decided to get even for him. But that’s only part of the prize. Right?”
“Who are you again?” He asked the question coyly as if he’d rile me. Oh, how silly of men to underestimate who I was and my capabilities.
“We know how power hungry the Brotherhood is. I admit I was confused as to what your ultimate goal would be in destroying the Prince family. I mean we’re powerful and have money to burn while controlling the entire port system of the Southeast, but what would that mean to you?
We have connections throughout the world with commodities the Brotherhood has yet to make inroads in.
Illegal drugs and firearms. Precious gems. Even coffee and booze.
Actual products that provide more money and power than any computer chip. But why would you care?”
William was even more uncomfortable, his fingers crawling toward his cell phone.
I leaned over his desk so abruptly, he was shocked enough that he jerked back.
“Please, Mr. Dreyfus. Don’t insult me. There are no men for you to call.
They’re currently occupied. There is no communication system outside this building and won’t be until we say so.
Even if you could call out, your buddies are experiencing the same thing you are.
All across the planet, the Brotherhood is crumbling to the ground. ”
“You’re lying.”
“Am I? I didn’t tell you the total truth. The internet is still up for now. Why don’t you check your bank accounts? Your stocks? Go on. I’ll wait.”
While he hesitated, when I sat back against the chair, he seemed almost frantic. It took him all of three minutes and twelve seconds to realize his net worth had gone from seven hundred million to zero. All in the blink of an eye.
“This can’t be,” he muttered.
“I assure you what you’re seeing is truthful and exactly what your buddies are experiencing.
Yes, some of the money had been funneled away from members of law enforcement, but don’t worry.
We won’t be keeping it.” I pulled out a copy of a magazine from the bag I’d brought with me, tossing it across his desk.
“A copy of Forbes Magazine for your records labeling us the wealthiest family corporation in the world. Quite a distinction that came from hard work.”
His skin was the color of melted vanilla ice cream on a hot summer day, his eyes flickering with anger and frustration.
“As I said, the money will be placed in good hands.” I stood, heading for the door. My work was done.
“What the fuck have you done?”
“Me? Well, what’s the expression?” I was almost giddy.
Maybe because I’d finally be enjoying a night in a hotel with my husband since our work would soon be done.
“It takes a village.” I glanced at my watch, still grinning.
“Ding. Ding. About now all over the world, charities are rejoicing at seeing the dollar figures in their bank accounts from an anonymous donor.”
“You can’t do this.”
“Yes, we can and we already have. You shouldn’t have fucked with the Prince family.” As soon as I threw open the door, members of the CIA were ready to come in.
Including the father who’d married Donatello and me.
“Father Barnett.”
Francoise smiled. “Today I’m Agent Barnett. How’s married life?”
I glanced at Donatello who was directing several of his soldiers. “Difficult. Men are… difficult.”
He laughed. “Yes, we are. We can handle everything from here. I wanted to extend my thank you for the assistance you and your family provided.”
“Our pleasure.” I moved away, eager to put this behind us.
“Did you find the answers you sought?” Francoise asked.
I thought about the little sachet of gris-gris I carried with me wherever I went as well as what my Nona had told me. “You were right. I already knew the answers.”
And I had, perhaps since the day I’d met the man I’d fallen in love with.
The same one I’d also said I would marry one day.
“You ready to go?” Donatello asked.
“I am.”
We headed toward the elevators.
“You seem pleased with yourself,” my husband told me.
“I am. I’m brilliant. All the money is going to charity. Think about it. Not a single law enforcement agency can come after us.”
He pushed me into the steel box, glaring at the two soldiers determined to invade our space. They backed away, but not before he growled. When he yanked one arm over my head then the other, I didn’t dare try to stop him.
Not that I wanted to.
This was the man I’d fallen in love with, the one who refused to take no for an answer. The way he’d been the night before had erased all doubt he was one mighty fine, strong man who could handle anything. While not invincible, he was close enough.
Plus, he’d allowed me to see his softer side, a man who’d make a great father.
After this was over, I had full intentions of mentioning adoption.
There was nothing I wanted more than to share all the ups and downs of being a family with him.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
“Reminding you who you belong to.” He pressed his forehead against mine, taking deep breaths.
“Not possible.”
As the elevator doors closed, I felt a sense of relief. No, this wasn’t the end of the Prince family dealing with enemies. There would always be one hiding in the shadows, hungering for our business. Even crumbs.
I couldn’t control them or what happened around them.
Which was why I’d decided to adhere to what my grandmother had suggested.
Live life to the fullest.
Maybe that’s also why Donatello’s lips tasted so sweet. As the elevator made its way to the bottom floor, I remained happily occupied.
There was something very special about being with someone who fed off your vibes. Whether hunger, sadness, fear, or anger.
My husband did know me better than even I knew myself. I continually found that out in subtle ways, but the moment an unsettling feeling washed through me as the elevator doors opened, I was thankful that a slight tension in my body language had been all he’d needed.
His actions were poised and provided proof of his expert training in combat missions.
The moment of the attack, he pushed me to the ground, his weapon appearing in his hand in a split second.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The sound in the metal box was horrific, the echo as terrifying as the bullets ricocheting until they’d hit their mark.
I scrambled for my weapon, yanking it from my thigh holster while still lying in an awkward position. Unable to see anything, I struggled to find a shot.
At least Donatello was a crack shot, catching two assassins between the eyes.
“Come on.” He grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet and behind him. The three dead bodies were nothing but annoying at this point. “Stay behind me.” He ripped out his phone, making a call while I turned to face the other way, my weapon in both hands.
“I’m tired of dealing with these assholes,” I told him.
“Me too, sugar britches. Hey, Alexander. Send the cavalry. They were hiding somewhere in the building.”
A building that had been swept from top to bottom, which meant we’d missed either a sleeper cell or somehow a warning had managed to get out. Whatever the case, we’d handle them.
Huffing, Donatello shoved the phone into his pocket. “I was hoping for a tall glass of whiskey in about ten minutes.”
“We’ll get there.”
Another feeling washed over me and this time before he had a chance to react, I caught the shadow out of the corner of my eye, firing off a single bullet into the man’s face.
“Ouch,” Donatello said. “That had to hurt.”
“Good. My patience is toast.”
“Ah, honey. You’re going to need to work on that.”
“Sure, baby cakes. Whatever you say.”
“As I told you, I am in charge.”
“In your dreams.” We sidestepped a few yards while listening for any sounds.
When we were against a wall, he tipped his head over his shoulder. “You are in every dream.”
“Ah, honey. What a sweet thing to say.” I snuggled closer.
He huffed, immediately firing over me. The hard thud as a body dropped forced a wince.
“You need to watch your back or I’ll be forced to do it for you.”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
The sound of footsteps followed by additional gunfire had almost become music to my ears.
Almost.
We were surrounded by soldiers coming from all directions, including a few from past enemies who’d been promised a pot of gold at the end of the Prince rainbow.
They’d be rewarded for their strength in numbers, all parties involved celebrating together on this day.
A victory of sorts in a world where few alliances were made, and the existing ones were often destroyed by greed and hunger for power. I was proud that my father was watching over us, hopefully smiling. He’d adored Donatello. He’d treated him as his son.
Maybe my father’s wisdom had been his greatest power, for our love would stand the test of time.
If there was one thing that could be said about the Prince family, it was that we were people of our word.
And we required everyone we were involved with to do the same.
If not, they would face my wrath.
And black magic as old as time.
While gris-gris was powerful, love was the most powerful magic of all.