Chapter 2 ELIAS

ELIAS

"Sir, you have to understand, the stocks are plummeting. If we don't take this route," he said pointing to the charts displayed on the projector screen. "We'll be facing serious issues. We need to do something about it, and fast."

I tuned out the voice of the financial manager.

I didn't even want him in this board meeting, but somehow the rat managed to weasel his way in. I wasn't in the mood for any of this. In reality, all of this-the real estate holdings, the casinos-was just a façade. A convenient mask for my true kingdom. The mafia empire my family had built over the last sixty years.

"Nothing will be plummeting while we're here," my second-in-command, Cathan spoke on my behalf. "Everything is under review and feedback would be given soonest."

I appreciated his efforts, but there were more pressing matters to attend to my mafia kingdom. And though this company was the perfect front for our darker dealings, I was growing increasingly sick of pretending to care about its surface-level issues.

Rising from my chair, I turned to Cathan, and gave him a single look, one he immediately understood.

He addressed the board without missing a beat. "Mr. Montgomery will ensure these matters are resolved. For now, he has urgent business elsewhere."

"So, the fact that stocks are crashing isn't urgent enough?" a voice challenged from across the table.

Both Cathan and I turned, our gazes-his cool greens and my deep browns-locking on the senile old man with cataract clouded eyes.

Our silence said more than words ever could. The man shrank back in his seat like the rodent he was.

The years have definitely made me soft. My younger self would be disappointed at my show of restraint. I'd have put him six feet under for that move. He was too old anyway and would likely appreciate the grave.

I left the boardroom, tuning out whatever diplomatic assurance Cathan offered them behind me. I just needed space and silence. Everywhere was too noisy to my overstimulated mind.

Forty years and I was already tired. Tired of the weight of all the responsibilities I'd been carrying since my father died, leaving our entire empire to me at eighteen. I had Elaine backing me over the years with everything, including the dark parts. And as much as my little sister constantly reminded me of the nieces and nephews she wanted to spoil, I couldn't care less.

Love only gets you burned. And after what happened last time, I've made it a point to never go near that fire again.

A soft knock-Cathan's signature rhythm-came at the door. I allowed him in and he stepped into the room with a serious expression.

"You know we need to act, Don," he said, resting his hand on the back of the seat across from me.

"And you damn well know who's behind this," I replied sharply. "What do you want me to do? Walk into that boardroom and tell them that our family's oldest rival has gotten too close-close enough to tank the company and use their bloodlust to try and end me? Is that what you want, Cathan?" I knew I was losing my cool, but I was tired of holding unto this business.

He met my gaze, voice even. "You know that's not what I'm saying, Don," he said, finally taking a seat. "But we have to act quickly. If our stocks keep falling, our front does too and the sharks are already circling. All they need is a drop of blood and they'll go in for the kill, destroying everything we've worked hard for."

He paused, his tone turning grave. "We can't afford that. You know this very well."

I couldn't argue with him there. He wasn't wrong.

"I know, Cathan," I replied. "Besides the casinos scattered throughout Chicago-especially Allure-this real estate firm is our most efficient tool for laundering and expansion."

"Exactly, Don." He nodded in agreement. "We can't let him destroy it all."

"Well, you are the expert," I gestured to him. "We both know you're better at this than me."

"Well," he smirked faintly and pulled out his sleek black laptop from seemingly nowhere, some strands of his black hair falling loose from the bun he'd put it in.

"I've already devised a plan. A damn good one actually, now that I think about it."

I couldn't help but smile faintly. I'd brought out his strategic, nerdy side. Whenever he got like this, he always brought up good ideas.

As my closest friend and consigliere, he was the only person I truly trusted. With my secret as well as my life.

He launched into details of his plan. I listened to him, nodding along, until his phone rang, the sound cutting through the air.

He answered it quickly, and I saw the change in his expression.

"I'll deliver the message," he said coldly into the receiver, then ended the call.

He slid his phone back into his pocket, his face tight.

"And?" I asked, raising a single brow at his disgruntled expression.

"It's that pesky journalist. He's asking for an audience with you," he said with a sneer.

John Davis.

Lead reporter at the Daily News, and an incessant pain in my ass.

"So, he's still tailing me till now," I said, more of a statement than a question. "Sniffing around for anything that could unravel this operation."

Cathan nodded. "And it seems he might be going for Elaine next."

Fuck.

"Let him try," I said in annoyance.

"That man is a royal pain in the ass. I need him gone," I gritted. "He should consider himself lucky he's still alive. The only reason he's breathing is because of the company that protects him. And I've done everything possible to stay clear of the media."

I really hate the media.

"I assume you know the drill," I continued, standing from my chair. I needed to see my sister and her husband and warn them about this relentless bastard.

Cathan gave a single nod, already knowing what I meant.

"Let him wait. Give him nothing. And if he pushes too far... tell security to deal with him the usual way."

I was certain the message was clear. If he showed up again, I might have to do a little more than telling the guards to deal with him.

Now, time to see the woman I once shared a womb with before the past caught up to us all.