That was… different.
He didn’t bite my head off. Still bossy and demanding, but not aggressive.
Don’t get your hopes up, Tess. It could just be because he was too tired to fight with you.
Chapter 16
Nikolas
With the Sicilians growing braver and more of them out on my streets, I’m tired as fuck.
There’s a war coming. It’s just a matter of time.
I’ve only managed to get my hands on soldiers, no one high up the food chain that will make Manno squirm. It’s frustrating as hell.
“Arrange extra guards for Athina and Tess,” I instruct Andreas. “I want them protected twenty-four-seven.”
“Got it.” Andreas gets up from the chair to carry out the order but pauses to ask, “What about your father and Helena?”
“I’ll take care of them.” As Andreas leaves the office, I pick up my phone and dial my father’s number.”
“Nikolas,” Dad answers.
“How’s the honeymoon?” I ask, my eyes flicking over the security cameras I had set up outside Athina and Basil’s home, as well as Tess’ apartment building.
“Good. You sound tired,” he states.
“The Sicilians aren’t backing down. How many guards do you have with you?”
“That bad, eh?” I hear him sigh over the line. “We have enough. I’ll keep my guard up.”
“You’ll be back in two weeks, right?”
“Yes, but we can return sooner if you need me.”
I shake my head. “No. Enjoy the honeymoon. If I need help, I’ll call on the Priesthood.”
“Keep me up to date if things get out of control.”
“They won’t. Don’t worry.”
Ending the call, I lean back in my chair and wipe tiredly over my jaw.
Fucking Sicilians.
My phone beeps, and letting out a sigh, I open the message. A photo comes through from the number I’ve been contacting Manno on.
Finger for a finger. Tooth for a tooth. Life for a life.
Christé mou.
Darting up, I storm out of the office. When I burst out of the building and into the parking area, Andreas' head snaps up. “What’s wrong?”
“The fuckers have Gregory!” I growl angrily, and even though I see the photo of my driver tied to a chair and beaten severely, I still search for the SUV, hoping to find him.
I hand Andreas my phone, and looking at the photo, he grimaces. “Fuck. I’ll issue a high alert among the soldiers.”
Needing to avenge Gregory because I know his body will be delivered to me before the end of the day, I bite out, “Bring me the first Sicilian you can get your hands on.”
Andreas rounds up a couple of men, and as I watch them pile into SUVs and drive off the grounds, my fear for my family’s safety intensifies.
It’s only a matter of time before the fuckers will try to go after those closest to me.
Dialing Athina’s number, I wait for her to answer, then say, “You need to be on guard. Don’t go anywhere without your guards.”
“I know the drill, Nikolas. What’s going on?”
“Nothing for you to worry about. Just be extra cautious. Tell Basil to watch his back as well.”
“I will.” Athina pauses for a moment. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
She lets out a sigh. “You sound tired. When’s the last time you slept?”
Andreas has been riding my fucking ass about getting some rest, and now Athina as well. “I’m fine. Just don’t do anything stupid and be safe.”
“I will.” There’s another pause. “Take care of your health, Nikolas. We need you.”
The weight of the family bears down on my shoulders, and I end the call.
I’m scrolling to James’ number when his name starts flashing on the screen.
“What?” I bark.
“We lost Tess in the subway,” he advises me with fear coating every word.
“You lost her,” I grind the words out through clenched teeth. “You fucking lost Theresa?”
No. Not now. Not when war itself is on my doorstep.
“I’m sorry, boss. It’s the late afternoon rush. The subway’s packed with people. One second she was in front of us, and the next, there’s no sign of her.”
“You better find her,” I warn him, my tone grim and merciless. “And pray she’s in one piece, or I’ll fucking kill the both of you.”
“Yes, boss.”
The call ends while the edges of my vision darken with rage.
Tess better not have evaded her guards on purpose, or there will be hell to pay. Then again, if she escaped James and Grant, there’s a good chance it wasn’t the Sicilians behind her disappearance.
Please, not the Sicilians. Not Tess.
As the thoughts start to take root, my heartbeat speeds up and fear, unlike anything I’ve felt before, spreads through my body.
If the Sicilians took her, if they harm a single fucking hair on her body, I will eradicate them from the face of the planet.
Bringing up Tess’ number, I press dial, praying she answers. It rings for way too long, and I’m bracing myself that she won’t answer at all when suddenly her voice comes over the line. “Shit. Nikolas. It–”