Page 40 of My Merciless Don

“We have a problem, Marco.”

I held my breath. “What’s the problem?”

“Someone is stealing from us. There’s been some interference with the accounts. Money’s been siphoned. I’m calling an urgent meeting.”

“Uh, shit. Where?”

“Coordinates will be sent. Leave all your devices behind.”

“Yes sir.” I hung up and turned to Valerio, my brow furrowed. “She’s stealing all our money. Siphoning it off.”

“Shit.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking stressed. “George, can you stop the leak?”

“I’d have to find it first and I suspect there’s more than one. Also like the address, it’s not likely to be stationery.”

I was shaking my head, half annoyed, half impressed. “She is good.”

“Yeah. Unfortunately.” George said from where he was bent over the laptop.

My phone beeped and I opened it to see coordinates. “I have to go for this meeting. Valerio, gather what reports you have and let’s go. We are going to have to be very careful.”

“What about her?” Valerio asked. I did not have to clarify who he was talking about.

“We track her down by any means necessary. Make sure she can’t leave this town without being clocked. Bring everyone in. From today until she’s found, we have one agenda. Find Audry Martin.” I clenched my jaw, the determination I was feeling a goad, spurring me on to achieve my goal by any means necessary.

“What will you do with her once you find her?”

I gave him a cold smile. “Guess.”

Valerio shivered, shaking his head. “Don’t let your feelings get in the way, Marco. Punishing her is a given but then… we could use someone like her. The whole organization could.”

I gave him an incredulous look. “You want us to employ her?”

He just gave me a look. “I think you have various options you could use to entice her to our side, don’t you think?”

I looked away, feeling angry. “You pimping me out, bro?” I gritted out.

“Oh, c’mon Marco. Don’t act like you don’t like her.” He said impatiently, though he kept his voice low so that no one else could hear.

“This isn’t high school, Val.”

“Nobody’s saying it is, man. But you are allowed to feel something for someone and pursue it.”

I whirled on him, glaring. “She stole from us.”

“Yeah, she did.” He half-grinned, “But you have to admire her cojones.”

I narrowed my eyes at my brother. “If the council finds out we let this happen, we are royally fucked and here you are spinning fairy tales?”

He laughed. “Fairy tales are how we get out of this bind. And I’m not just weaving castles in the air. I saw the way she looked at you. She wanted you as much as you wanted her.”

“Oh god,” I rolled my eyes, but my heart began to thud dully in my chest as though hoping it was true.

“C’mon man.” Valerio said softly, “Admit it. You want her.”

I sighed. “Let’s get back to work. Let’s find her first before you start planning the wedding.” I turned away, going to sit in front of my laptop and peering closely at it to show that the topic was closed.

I couldn’t stop thinking about what my brother had said though. I put the coordinates sent into my laptop and got a location. Getting to my feet, I nodded to Valerio. “Time to go.” I said. I grabbed my jacket and my gun, and we headed out.

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