Page 98

“Oh, yeah,” Sergei added. “Diana thinks you’re right. No hard evidence yet, but the warehouse is for sale and she’s going down that route since the illustrious current owners might not think about destroying the paper trail left behind with a real estate transaction.”

“The woman is clever.” I meant what I said. So was the woman carrying my child. Did that mean I couldn’t place my trust in Isabel? Quite the contrary. I believed I could trust her with my life. However, her sudden appearance in my life had caused irrevocable harm as much as it had prevented another tragedy from occurring.

The thought of her being used as a pawn was both detrimental and unforgivable. Every step I took from here, every decision made would need to be done so carefully.

“I have a meeting with my father. Where are we at on locating our bald man or Zane Moore from the Dixie mafia?”

“Nothing yet,” Kristoff answered. “I have men searching contacts up and down the East Coast.”

The news as always was unsettling. It was also unacceptable, but I wasn’t in the mood for a fight.

“Keep searching. If he’s found, I want him brought in and held. Is that understood?” I swept my gaze across the group of men. There’d been no need to involve the captains, but everyone was itching to have this mess over with.

I’d had little time to concentrate on the new warehouse build and while by all appearances it was going well, supervision was needed. The medical facility project was also on the backburner but couldn’t remain there for long. Whatever the hell Wenn was attempting to do was all because of my weakened state.

The port was still active, spring always a profitable time of year, but with my mental acuity pulled into damnation, mistakes could occur. Even with having my best men paying close attention to our line of profit.

I didn’t appreciate being made to appear vulnerable and the longer it went on, the more likely clients would be to pull out.

“You can’t keep your daughter and Ms. Dayne’s reappearance a secret forever. Have you determined how to want to handle her rebirth?” Sergei’s question had been anticipated.

“She will be attending the trust meeting at the end of the week. That will provide ammunition for my continuation as the board president.” I was laying groundwork none of the men were aware of. It was necessary to keep certain plans from them.

At least for now.

“Oh, that will shake things up a bit.” Roman was grinning as if all this was good fun.

Hearing my daughter’s laughter through the open doors brought another feeling of angst. Roman caught the switch in my expression, offering a nod that I wasn’t certain the meaning of.

He had no idea what was at stake nor would he or anyone else until the time was right. The fact Isabel was carrying an heir only added to the level of danger. The doctor knew, but his silence was to be anticipated.

“A necessary shakeup for all those involved in the game of chess being played.” I placed my glass on my desk, thinking about how only days before I’d trashed almost the entire room. It was amazing what money and hiring the right contractor could do in a short timeframe. “When Mina decided to leave the house without an escort, did anything happen?”

Kristoff’s face turned white. “No, sir. Ms. Dayne was right behind her. They didn’t spend much time on the beach.”

I said nothing, but there was no need. I did so with my actions, pushing Kristoff against the wall, my forearm crushing his throat.

The others didn’t react as they knew better than to interfere.

“Your one job is to ensure the safety of my daughter and my guest. If you can’t do that, Kristoff, then I assure you that I will find someone who can. Is that clear enough for you?”

He was choking, his face turning bright red, but he managed to nod in affirmation. That didn’t mean I was interested in allowing him to breathe.

As soon as I pulled away, he slumped against the wall. I flexed and fisted my hand as I walked away.

I’d been curtailing my rage for far too long. “That’s enough for tonight. Tomorrow begins the end.”

“That sounds like you know more than you’re telling us.”

I knew Sergei well enough to know he was concerned about my lack of transparency. He would need to get used to it for now. “It means I’m acting as the Pakhan of this Bratva.”

“Let’s go, gentlemen,” Roman said and placed his drink on the bar.

Kristoff was more than happy to leave.

Sergei waited, closing the door behind Roman. “I mean no disrespect, but what is wrong with you to think I’ve betrayed you?”

“Did I say that?”