Page 27 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

“Nera and Bianca have been minding their business as far as we can tell. They aren’t stepping on any toes. There’s nothing on their front,” Elias answered. “We’re speculating it was Dominic’s doing.”

I was at a loss for words. I didn’t even know where to begin.

With a deep, exhausted breath, I ran a hand down my face. “Whether it’s Dominic or someone else, there’s always someone trying to tarnish the Levov name, and our cousins won’t like that very much. If enough families feel scorned or moved by this rumor, they might try and form new alliances to take us down. We can’t let that happen.”

“We’ll show them exactly why they won’t ever win,” Elias added with a determined glint in his eyes.

“Got any ideas how?” I asked.

“Why don’t we send someone to Boston to give Dominic another shakedown? He was already dealt a pretty good beating before; I’m surprised he didn’t learn his lesson,” he murmured, reminded of just how bad that night had been.

Nodding slowly, I considered the idea. “If one wasn’t enough, then maybe two will warn him what else will come his way if he doesn’t shut his mouth.”

“I hope this guy has insurance. He’s going to need it.”

“Alright, then. I’m trusting you with this, Elias. Let him know we mean business, and take Vik with you,” I said finally, feeling good about the idea. “I don’t want this weasel thinking he can screw us over again and again. No more chances. I may have married his daughter, but that doesn’t absolve him.”

“What will Grace think?” Elias asked, lifting his brows suggestively.

“She doesn’t need to know,” I returned, realizing how the new familial ties made things a bit more complicated than they had been. “Just don’t kill the man, and I won’t have to. Got it?”

He chuckled. “You got it. Let’s roll, Vik.”

Understanding what was expected of them, Vik followed behind him, and they both left my office.

The moment I was alone, I tried to decompress from the immediate anger I started my workday with. I didn’t feel like carrying that into the rest of the day, even if that was how it normally happened.

Sat with piles of reports and files in front of me, I sighed. Not only did I have to make sure our warehouse operations moved smoothly and that our men were doing as they should be, but I also had to go over recent documentation. Verifying numbers, stock, and signing off that everything looked alright. I usually had Vik work out the inventory numbers, but I was the final check to make sure nothing had been tampered with.

Ever since Dominic’s scheming, we had to be more vigilant about what was coming in and going out and making sure our partners weren’t screwing us.

Starting with the first pile, I tried my hardest to focus on the words before me, but I kept thinking back to the news Vik and Elias broke to me.

Those false allegations seemed to fluster me more than usual, and I couldn’t get it out of my head.

It wasn’t unusual for someone to spread rumors about us through New York, whether to try and muddy our reputation or with the hope of bringing us down one way or another. Most of it was unfounded or ridiculous enough for us to ignore, but something about that one bothered me.

It usually didn’t hit so close to home.

While I did take Grace from her dorm, Dominic practically offered her on a silver platter and told me she was mine even if I chose to speed that process along by going there myself that very night.

I started to wonder if he used her as a pawn for a reason beyond his selfishness. If he hoped to pin this blame on me while absolving himself.

It made me wonder who else he might’ve been working with.

But I didn’t need to worry about it then. Elias and Vik would be there in a few hours, and they’d remind him why it was in his best interest to keep quiet.

The day stretched on, and while I had made some progress with the paperwork, my eyes were aching, and I wanted it to be over. Luckily, the day was just about done, and I was waiting to be filled in about the Dominic situation.

Rubbing at my eyes, my attention was snagged from my phone vibrating on the desk.

It was Vik’s number.

Reaching for it right away, I accepted the call and put it to my ear. “What’s going on over there?”

I heard Vik sigh from the other end. “It’s not good.”

My brows furrowed, and I sat forward instinctually. “What do you mean, Vik?”

---