Page 87 of Controlled

I noticed he was shifting his gaze from one camera screen to the other. He was truly worried we were about to be attacked. However, with it being the middle of the day with enough neighbors being retired, it would take huge balls for someone to attack me here. I’d taken some effort in hiding my various homes from typical radar, but as with any other scrap of information, I wasn’t the only one who could find out whatever they wanted.

“Let Easton know he needs to watch his back.”

“Will do, boss. Do you want me to have additional soldiers brought into the estate?”

Sighing, I glanced out the window, still able to see Bella lounging in the pool. I had to wonder what she was thinking. “Yeah, do that. Head out toward the pool area. You also need to watch Bella while I make a couple phone calls.”

Kane immediately pushed away from the console, standing and turning to me. “Did you find something?”

“I don’t know for certain. However, it would seem the choreographer from the ballet company has criminal ties to South America. He likely sent her flowers, as if mimicking my gesture.”

He grinned. “Connection to Carlos?”

“I wouldn’t put it past Carlos, although why go to that extreme? If that’s the case, our business relationship will be severed. As will his neck.” I certainly hadn’t promised Bella I was turning a corner, becoming a good man. Once a killer, always a killer. Just like my brothers, whether they wanted to believe it or not. “Besides, Gregor has been there less than a year. Armand was released a few months ago.”

He nodded. “You’re thinking Armand hired Gregor to hunt down and watch over his baby girl.”

“Possibly, which begs the question. What does Armand have in mind?”

“Just so you know, no one seems to know where Armand is. I put out feelers to all our connections.”

I thought about the entire situation. “You and I both know if he doesn’t want to be found, it will take weeks or months before anyone talks. That’s time we don’t have. I feel it in my gut. Find out who handled his finances and business while he was in prison. Maybe we need to have a nice long chat with the responsible party.”

“What about the Romanos? Do you think they had anything to do with the violence inside Armand’s home?”

“Entirely possible given what Antonio did to alienate our empire. I read up on Armand. He has many loyal soldiers who are still alive, their sons indoctrinated into believing Armand is the next king.”

Now, Kane laughed. “Given Armand has a daughter in Chicago, and roots in New York, he could be attempting to lay claim to both cities. No wonder both Italian regimes are under duress.”

“Exactly. Maybe the two organizations are working together, not only forming an unholy alliance but bridging the distance to try and thwart Armand before he has a chance to fully reclaim his power. They’d want to eliminate every possible obstacle. There’s far too much at stake.”

“Including shoving Carlos out of commission within the two cities if possible.”

I hadn’t thought about that possibility. “I keep you around for a reason. Also make a quick call to find out how Carlos is doing. Including his other shipments. The breadcrumbs are starting to expand.”

“I gotcha. When you’re finished, I’ll expand the feelers to every country,” Kane offered. “This is a puzzle that needs to be solved.”

“Yeah, a bloody one.” Was my beautiful dancer mafia royalty? If so, marriage to one of the princes of the empire swimming in the middle of the riddle would be considered a coup. “Just keep a close eye on her. I have a bad feeling you’re right about an attack, but I think it will occur when we least expect.”

“None of your men like it when that happens. You tend to go off on a rampage.” He backed away, throwing up his hands.

I shook my head, feeling more jovial than the last couple of days. Even if my instinct was working overtime. “Just protect her. I don’t like some things she told me.”

“Will do, boss.”

I waited until he’d left before pulling out my phone, heading into my office to grab a real drink, the wine not cutting it at this point. As I dialed Carlos, my gut was also telling me the man was a part of this.

And this time, the bastard had better answer his goddamn phone or the man would reach his expiration date.

CHAPTER 26

Bella

He’s just trying to scare you.

My inner voice wasn’t helping. I’d stared after Creed when he’d walked away, strangled by the fact Gregor might have been sent to watch me. Why? I couldn’t stand the thought of being someone’s pawn. I’d seen him and Kane through the window, watching me as if I was going to slip away.

Or worse.

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