Chapter 30

Did you kill my father, Sergei? Did you order a hit on your own brother?

If he’s out of the way and I’m the new boss, I can dictate how the family proceeds with healing the rift between the two powerful families. In other words, there’d be no need to marry Layla.

I try not to focus on it, try not to want it so badly that it skews my perspective when I view the cold, hard evidence.

The proof must be iron clad to take out a boss for dishonorable conduct.

I go into the Deli and head to the back offices. One of them is constantly reserved for our use. While I wait for Stieg, I make a quick sweep of the place for wiretaps and listening devices. I find none but still switch on the noisy fan to provide enough background interference. His club would’ve have been a far more secure spot, but I’d promised Chleo.

I stop to think about all the ways Chleo is changing me and the ways I’ll change her. I refused to meet at Stieg’s club because I promised Chleo, I’d never step foot in there again.