Ehlga is preparing dinner, but I asked her to make Anastasia a snack if she goes down for food. I already know she most likely won’t, so I’ve instructed Ehlga to bring food up later.
Later, when I’m not here.
Ehlga has been my custodian since I bought this house, but I’ve practically known her all my life. She’s originally from Russia but lived in Denmark.
When Mom was killed, Leif hired her to look after me, so she became my guardian. She’s the only other person apart from him whom I treat like family. As one of the people Leif trusted, she knows my story. Years ago, when I decided it was time to establish a base in Boston, I hired her.
Ehlga is not overly fond of Anastasia being here because she knows whose daughter she is. But since she’s always and ever loyal to me, she’ll do what I need her to do.
I make my way downstairs to the study, where I find my crew waiting for me.
There’s Jayce, Zane, and Gytha sitting around the table in the center. Well, Gytha is actually on the table with her legs crossed, the leather mini skirt she’s wearing barely covering her panties. She has her slick black hair in a ponytail and is wearing bright red lipstick. She’s my femme fatal assistant and has been other things, too, over the years.
We’ve all known each other for many years. Jayce and Zane are sons of two of Leif’s men, so we’ve known each other since we were boys. I met Gytha years after when she was looking for the man who killed her father. I helped her get her retribution, and she’s stayed with me since.
The four of us linked up as a team five years ago when I decided to set up my own company. I traffic items on the black market, but I’ve also covertly worked with Volkova Inc. for a number of years on their cargo ships. Nobody ever knew who I truly was because I worked under an alias.
I still plan to do so, without the alias. People will now know who I am and wonder why I still choose to get my hands dirty and live at sea for most of the year, but that’s me.
The sailor. The perpetual God of the Sea. Like Poseidon.
While I’m away, the crew takes care of the other business. Jayce and Zane are the muscle and do everything I do. Gytha takes care of my clients, but more importantly, she’s a hacker unlike any other I’ve known. She gets the dirt I need on people.
It washerwhogot the dirt I have on Uther and all the intel I needed on everyone else.
A smile spreads across her doll-like face as I pull up a chair and plant myself in it, looking at each of them. They all look happy. They should be. They all worked hard to make today possible.
“We did it,” Jayce states.
“We did.” I smile, bumping my fist with his.
“Shouldn’t we be having champagne?” Gytha asks, raising one perfectly arched brow. “Or something along those lines?”
“We will.” I meet her serpentine eyes, which are fixed on me with wild seduction. This is one of those times when we’d usually end up in bed, or anywhere we could get lost in each other, to destress. “For now, how about you each get those bonuses I promised?”
“Fuck, yeah,” Zane replies, pumping his fist once in the air then snapping his fingers. “And that’s why I fucking love working for you.”
I’d like working for me, too, if I added a bonus of ten G onto an already high five-figure monthly salary.
Given my poor upbringing, sometimes it feels unbelievable that I’m able to do this. Me at twenty-eight years old being in charge of what I’ve already been doing without the Volkova fortune.
“Don’t go wild just yet. The job is still ongoing.” That’s why I’ve summoned them here for a brief check-in. “We also need to plan the next steps.”
“Oh, we know,” Jayce agrees, lighting up a cigarette and puffing on it. “We fucked with the big boys today. Can’t screw with people like that and not expect them to bite back.”
“We knew this would happen, though,” Zane concedes.
“We did. That’s why I need each of you to keep your eyes open even more than before.”
My brothers and Uther are nothing in comparison to our previous encounters with mafia groups and other low-key organizations.
Fucking with them is like screwing with the Knights themselves. Everything is older, more deep-rooted, and involves the deadly combination of wealth and power. There will also be people who won’t like that I’m in charge because their business relationships will be affected.
“What next, boss?” Gytha asks, noticing my deep concentration.
“I think I’m going to need Zane backing Jayce up on surveillance. I need solid eyes on my brothers and Uther. I need to know what they’re up to twenty-four seven.” I want to know everything no matter what it is. Whether they spit, shit, or sleep. “I will also need you guys watching my father’s men.” I’ll inherit my father’s personal guards as well, and his task force. I undoubtedly have to make sure they can be trusted.
“We can do all that,” Jayce says, and Zane dips his head in agreement.