Page 30 of The Silent Princess

“More security,” I cut in. “More men involved on both sides. More risk.”

“I understand this is a large amount of product, sir, but…”

“It does not matter. If we hit them tomorrow, they will have a tremendously hard time getting back on their feet. I will not wait for another opening.”

Nate presses the mute button. “Postpone.”

“No. It is all part of the plan. I am not backing down.” My voice hardens. I press the button again. “Anything else?”

“It is, um, delicate,” Brenton says. His pause wastes time, grinding against my patience. “A source told me about their new methods.”

“Methods?”

“Since their issues with the Scorta family, they have been implementing a different mantra—a much bloodier one. I heard about women being kidnapped and households being invaded. Something to do with a new era of domination Cole wants to lead.” I am well aware that the Italian mafia in the region, the Scorta family, has had several issues with the Vodianovs. One of those issues ended with a Vodianov cousin being shot by a Scorta man in retaliation for a broken deal they had trusted them on. Things cooled down for a while, but it is no surprise the Vodianovs adapted. Staying away from violent activities seems to be harder than expected.

“Thank you, Brenton. We’ll keep in touch.” I end the call coldly before running a hand over my face.

“I’ll call Matt. Tell him to hire more men and take the best ones with us tomorrow.”

“Tristan, what if…”

“What is life if there is not a bit of risk, huh?” My voice drops lower, rougher, reminding us both that we were not brought into this world by chance but to fulfill our family's duty. To avenge our lineage and dominate this city with our name. It has always been this way. It always will be. Nate remains silent, knowing there is nothing he can say that will change my mind.

“In case anything goes wrong, all of this will be yours.” He shakes his head, tugging at his collar.

“Just…” He pauses. “Let’s take it from the start one more time so I can make sure you are not walking into a fucking suicide mission.”

“All right. But first, there is one thing I need you to do.” He crosses his arms, watching as I write a note.

“If anything happens to me, this is the name of a young woman. I will need you to give her the details of this bank account.” I show him the series of numbers attached to a savings account where millions rest, unused. I could transfer money directly into hers, but it would require layers of security authorization, and I do not have time for that now. “She will not accept it at first, but you will have to convince her.”

“Tristan, what…”

“Give me your word that if I die, you will find her and give her the envelope.”

“Is this really necessary? Who is she?”

“Your word, Nate.” He sighs, but like the loyal brother he is, he does not question me further, accepting the envelope while I hope he will never have to give it to her.

Ella,

Perhaps not the miracle you were expecting, but enough to help you create your own.

Account : 58YTR6U6296RFG

Password : 98765456789OTA

T.A

“All right, so from the top.” Twirling his index in the air, Nate paces the office.

“I drive with Matt and his men to our warehouse. There, we take guns, ammunition, masks, and all the gear.” Matt is my head of personal security. We met in juvie, then lost sight of each other as I went into business and he enlisted in the army. After more than a decade deployed in various parts of the world, he left the service and came to work for me, sometimes as a bodyguard, sometimes as the coordinator of certain operations. No one knows the field and its risks better than he does, and he can always find old acquaintances to work with us when needed.

“Right. And then?”

“Eight vehicles. Six empty ones to retrieve the drugs. Our men disguised across the road in case things turn bad.”

“How are you planning to force them to stop?”