Marcello’s phone rang with a new message. He read it, committing the cypher to memory, then held the screen in front of me. It was the date and the coordinates of our next shipment.
We partnered with Mac Corp and Battle Industries to provide weapons and illegal technology to our business partners for intel and manpower to use against our newest enemies. They were sniffing too close. And with the Bratva’s attention aimed at Alex, we needed all the friends we could get.
Marcello deleted the message and shoved the phone into his pocket. “How many containers are we adding to the usual shipment?”
“Four more to accommodate the Basiles. Coordinate the shipments with Sonny.”
“You wouldn’t put her in a container, would you?” Marcello’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me. “Because we could lose her forever. She’s afraid of the dark and confined spaces. You saw how she reacted in the catacombs.”
I waved my hand to dismiss his concern.
“I’m managing her PTSD,” he said in a fiery tone. “But something that traumatic could trigger the wrong response. I’ve seen what happens with soldiers. We don’t have time to play games, Luca. She needs to marry one of us before we fuck her up even more.”
“I have the situation under control. She’ll be kissing my feet after Dad makes the announcement.”
A smile tipped up the corners of his mouth. “She deserves this. Admit it, you smug bastard.”
I nodded in agreement.
His cell phone rang with a new message. Marcello studied it with his teeth gritted, his other hand balled into a fist on the table. “Fuck.”
“What now?”
“Someone attacked the men at our safe house in Beacon Bay.” He rose from the chair. “I have to go.”
“No.” I threw my arm out in front of him. “Send Roman and his team.”
“But,” he protested. “This is my job.”
“Not tonight. If you leave, Alex will wonder where you went.”
Marcello’s fingers moved across the keypad of his phone. “Done.”
“They’re getting closer.” I stood beside him. “It’s only a matter of time before they come for her, Marcello.”
He stuffed his hands into his pockets and sighed. “The Founders Society will deal with the Bratva. After we completeLegarewith Alex, everything will go back to normal.”
I almost laughed at his suggestion. “Normal? Like we know what that means.”
“The Charter forbids us to admit new Knights until afterLegare. We have to speed up the process.”
His gaze shifted to the right side of the ballroom. To the gang known as The Serpent Society, aka The Serpents. Hades leaned against the wall, a drink in hand as he spoke to Morpheus. Charon was on his right, chatting with a pretty brunette dressed in a pink gown. Tall and imposing, Lethe loomed over the girls attached to his arms.
They all used nicknames associated with the Greek Underworld. Hades, the God of Death. Morpheus, the God of Sleep. Lethe, the River of Forgetfulness. Charon, the ferryman of the underworld.
They lived up to their names.
The Serpents would do anything we asked of them. Unlike other secret societies, they operated under a different set of rules. But at least they were under our control.
I tapped Marcello’s shoulder, eyes on the men across the room. “Talk to Hades. We’ll need The Serpents’ help hacking theIl Circowebsite.”
He bobbed his head. “Anything else?”
“Bring Alex to my bedroom after the party.”
Marcello’s eyebrows rose.
“Don’t worry, brother.” I squeezed his shoulder. “You’ll get your turn with our queen.”