I wasn't exactly ready to leave my girls but I did get news of some information on Marion and Carlo. I entered the meeting room a few minutes late but once I did, everyone looked my way before they began talking.
"We've found some information about Marion's accounts," I smiled at Greta who sat right beside my chair. She dipped her head in greeting before I sat down. We met in person very rarely and relied on communication through the screen.
"Before we get on with that," she interrupted one of the managers. "I have some news for Nicolas that I think he'll like to hear," I looked at her as she connected her laptop to the screen ahead. "We found out sometime three years ago that Carlo might be working with Eduardo as he was seen coming out of the building then," the photos I had seen years prior of Carlo exiting my father's business building, and then a map of the route he took to the airport. "Recently, I found that Eduardo wasn't in the building then," I listened carefully and glanced at her computer screen where footage of Carlo in Eduardo's office appeared.
They were blurry because of the bright light coming onto the windows but I could see the silhouette of another man in my father's chair.
"Luciano," I breathed out.
"Yes, Nico. I had to double check but as it turns out, Luciano has been in contact with Carlo for the past five years. The transcripts of their conversations are brief and until we find out from one of them, I doubt we'll be able to know why they're actually working together," she said.
"Have you tried the bugs in Eduardo's office?" She nodded.
"None were active. I think he was smart enough to know we would eventually find out," I nodded as I pinched the bridge of my nose.
The last thing I needed was to have another scandal in my life that involved Carlo. One of my lead executives, pushed a file onwards me as Greta continued to speak.
"It's a tricky situation but I know we can figure something out," I opened the folder and saw the same papers from last night, dotted with blood stains. I took a pen from a pencil holder in front of me and signed the papers, confirming my rise in power. I handed the files to him and saw him nod in appreciation.
"I believe he's trying to find Greta," I blurted out a wild suggestion.
"You do not actually think that," I met Greta's eyes.
"What else could Luciano provide for him? A bag of money? He'd get caught. Properties? Caught. Nothing is more valuable to Carlo right now than finding Greta."
"Isn't her brother dead?" I heard the man I interacted with before.
"Yes, and there's a good chance she's done it," Greta didn't react to this thought and instead, showed me a receipt for a plane ticket.
"He's planning to come here next week," she said. "If we can find Luciano here with Carlo, we can frame him and get everything we need from his mouth."
"How do you know he isn't actually coming here to see my father?"
"He's already back yet Luciano booked another flight to the US in three days," she shoed another receipt. "He knows he has little time left with you coming into the reign. All he can do is hope he'll somehow outrun you and meet Carlo before you take the stand."
For the next half an hour, Victor explained how Marion has lost millions of dollars in the last few weeks, following Amando's death. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and a smile carved in my face at the sight of Evara eating a hot dog. I never thought that I would have such a beautiful wife, let alone such an adorable daughter. I sent a red heart emoji along with a small text.
Nicolas: So beautiful like her mother.
I pocketed my phone before immersing myself in the conversation. I had a few more details to discuss before I could begin my accession. It would come like a newsflash to many, back at home but it will only enrage a few people.
Exhibit A: my grandmother.
Actually, she'll be mad over the fact that Brielle was going to become the next queen rather than over the fact that I am now the rightful don of the mafia family. I thought I would have some time to get used to the new feeling of being the head of the business but after so many years of patiently waiting, I was ready to take what was rightfully mine.
"We can do this without your presence, Nicolas, but I should remind you that everything else will be up to you," I nodded at Victor as he finished up his report and the meeting was adjourned. Everyone left the room, apart from Greta and I. She closed her laptop and turned to me.
"I know of Evara," she said.
"I know." I knew that even if I tried my best to hide her from everyone, she would find out. She was the one to check for any security issues in Brielle's house and must've seen either footage of them together or something else that might've given it away.
"Careful, Nico. That girl has more on her back than Brielle and you know very well why." I nodded as she stood up and smiled one last time before leaving me in the meeting room made of practically nothing but glass.
Evara was my one and only heir. I wouldn't be able to have any more children with Brielle and that meant that if hell forbid something happens to Evara, my bloodline would end. As much as I wanted to keep my family, I couldn't have a child with someone else other than Brielle.
She was all that I needed and she would be enough until the end of time.
But if I lost both of them...
I didn't even let myself finish that thought when I stood up and headed towards the elevator. I had one more errand to run before I could calmly go back home to the two most important women in my life.
I trusted Rodger enough that I let him look after them and knew they were in good hands. The man had proven himself enough over the years working for me.
A couple of dozen minutes later, I entered a small restaurant in downtown New York and headed towards one of the booths in the very back. I could see the woman trying to hide her face with the help of a large black hat and sunglasses that she didn't even realise I was close to her until I spoke, making her flinch.
"So nice of you to grace me with your presence," I said and sat down in front of her. There were a few empty cups of coffee beside her which she must've drunk before I came here, and thus must mean she was here far earlier than we were supposed to meet.
"Get this over with," she said as I crossed my arms over my chest and looked over at the waitress that had approached.
"I'll have whiskey on the rocks," she nodded and left our table before I looked back at the woman before me. I couldn't see any detail of her face as she did manage to hide it with those glasses and her dark brown hair which was loose in the front. "I'm here to propose a deal," I said.
"You're beginning to forget who I am, right?" I smiled.
"I think that you are underestimating me, sweetheart. I came here with the hope that you will need my help to get the hell out of here," she smiled before cocking her head to the side.
"You think too highly of yourself," I tilted my head back before a tumbler with ice and whiskey appeared on the table. I thanked the waitress before taking a sip.
"Speak for yourself. I'm not the one who's-"
"Alright, what do you want," she interrupted.
"Help me take down one man. I won't say who he is just yet because I'm debating between two. But you do that, and I'll grant you immunity for the rest of your life and give you the opportunity to live without fear," I couldn't tell how she reacted from her face, so I had to patiently wait for her to speak up.
"How will I have to do that?" I took another sip of my drink, letting it slowly burn its way down my throat.
"I have a myriad of ways. None of which will be discussed today."
"How can I agree with you when I don't know what is at stake for me?" I smiled.
"Freedom, darling. I thought that was what you craved so dearly," she turned her head to the side and I noticed a scar, covering her right cheek. It was deep but looked already healed to the point of no clear discolouration.
"What I truly crave is you and your damned family in a fucking graveyard," I chuckled.
"Well, we do visit it often. You just need to be lucky and come at the same time we do," she scoffed before returning her face to face me.
"So, just a man? Get rid of him and I'll be free?" I smiled.
"If only it was that easy, right?" I saw her swallow hard as she continued to listen. "But no. That won't be so simple as you know freedom does not come so easily, does it?"
"Stop with the theatrics, Nicolas. What. Do. You. Want?"
"To kill a man and then to take his entire empire," I could almost tell she rolled her eyes.
"Really? You don't have enough as it is?"
"You would do the same if you had someone you cared about. Oh, sorry," a sly grin touched my face. "You do, don't you," she slammed her hand on the table before pointing a finger at me with her other hand.
"You don't know anything. You're just acting like you do, Nicolas." I leaned closer to her and was able to get a hold of her perfume. Something so sweet yet so bitter.
Fits about right.
"I know that you are being chased, so if you want to get out of this alive, I suggest you help me or else I will hand you to them myself," I leaned back in the booth, feeling the energy once again shift around us. "Who knows, maybe I'll get a medal for that."
"Worry about your woman before she is taken by someone you do not expect," she spat out and leaned back in her seat.
"You do not know what you are talking about," she managed to smile for the first time.
"Brielle Hansley, twenty-six years of age, brunette, green eyes, five feet nine inches, born on-"
"Okay, what does that have to do with anything?"
"You said I didn't know what I was talking about," I almost rolled my eyes but instead, I downed the whiskey.
"Why are you bringing her up?"
"The secret mafia princess, isn't she? Captivated the heart and soul of the mafia don and has become the biggest target to every one of your enemies and people who you saw as friends."
"Are you in or not?"
"I actually wondered if I could ever see the day of you so smitten and happy," she cooed.
"I did not come here to discuss my love life with you. So I'll ask again, are you in or out?" She went silent for a while before she sighed.
"After I'm done, I want to have a completely new life. New name, new background, new everything. Understood?" I smiled.
"You're so certain you'll do the job?"
"I know you want me to kill my father, Nicolas. And that comes with a price."
"You'll get everything. But you understand that this will be for more than just his death, right?" She nodded once and looked behind me. "Sign it," I took out a few sheets of paper with the details printed on them and handed her the pen.
She took her time, analysing the material but eventually signed the deal and handed it all over to me.
"I'll contact you in the same manner as now but in a few weeks' time. Be prepared," I stood up and looked down at her one last time. "Don't make me hurt you," she smiled up at me before I walked out of the restaurant and headed to my car. I had time to kill before another meeting, so I drove back to Brielle's house and entered it.
Something weary hit my stomach once I came inside but thought nothing of it. I knew they were fine and could trust Rodger with everything I had. He wouldn't turn his back on Brielle and would make sure that she was safe.
I locked the door and walked further inside, looking around the rooms.
"Brielle!" No one answered me. I frowned as I made my way towards the entry to the backyard and looked around. Evara liked the outdoors, so perhaps she was out but then again, it was time for her nap.
I walked up the stairs and first headed to Evara's bedroom. It was empty. I began to panic as I rushed to Brielle's room, and once I found it empty, my heart raced with an exhilarating flurry.
I had to calm myself down. There was a good chance she wasn't back home yet and I was just worrying too much. I checked my phone to trace her location but it was gone. The last time the tracker picked up any signal from her phone was hours ago in Central Park. That was almost half an hour away from here.
Instantly, I called Rodger but got no answer before dialling Bri's number.
Nothing.
I called Nate, knowing he would certainly pick up but my heart was starting to beat out of control as nothing but fear took over my body. I had to hold myself against the wall as I waited for him to pick up.
"Hey, Ni-"
"Where's Bri?"
"What?"
"Where is Brielle?"
"How am I supposed to know? I haven't seen her since yesterday. Have you called her?"
"Yes, and she's not picking up. Her location is off and Rodger is not answering either," I ranted.
"Holly fucking crap," he cursed before I heard something on his end moving. "Where was she last seen?"
"Two hours ago in Central Park," I said before I heard an elevator door open.
"Send me the location. I'll contact some of my men to look for her."
"She was with Eva," I breathed out, feeling my head spin.
"Breathe, Nicolas. It'll be fine. Call Will and tell him to send some of his people to the airport and the seaport. We might get something," I hung up and did what he said, calling the man of Nate's security team in New York, William Bow. I made my way to my car before I rushed to Natalia's house but just when I pulled up, my heart sank to my stomach once I saw a text message from an unknown number.
She wasn't fucking lost.
Neither of them were.
Unknown: So, you say she's a god fuck, right?
A photo of Brielle in a van, without consciousness appeared. Her mouth was ducked tapped, her hands and legs were tied with ropes.
I haven't felt such rage fill me ever since the last time my father hit me.
Unknown: But don't worry, I won't do it in front of your beautiful little girl.
The sight of another photo capturing Evara's unconscious state seized me with an overwhelming surge of anger, causing my entire body to tremble in its grip. A primal scream tore through my chest, a visceral response that laid bare the magnitude of how I fucked up.
Unknown: Tick tock
Unknown: Tick tock
Unknown: Come find them before they get too far...