Page 112 of The Lieutenant

“With confirmation Bernardi is dead, suddenly other avenues of interest have opened up for locations of our clubs. I have a trip booked to visit Madrid next week.” Christos was proud of himself. “Havros’ idea, by the way.”

“Madrid will be an excellent choice. The numbers are favorable. Are we certain Bernardi’s remains were positively identified?” I asked as I drummed my fingers on the table.

We’d offset a board meeting for weeks in hopes we could regain lost footing. We’d worked long hours to make that happen, one or all of us appearing at various summer festivities, charity events, and even being more vocal on national television. Memories were short and people loved backing a winner.

The time spent had kept my mind off Kara.

She’d been gone for weeks, my thoughts and images of her keeping me awake at night. How many times had I thought about contacting her? More than I could count, but I’d honored her wishes of allowing her to return to her life and work without interference.

And it was killing me.

“We’re certain,” Dimitrios stated. “It took so long because the house was completely obliterated. There’s some sense it was an accident, the gas lines running into the house the reason. I heard there was a leak in the main lines, but I don’t buy it. They were able to identify him by his teeth. What a way to die.”

“Along with half his remaining family and one Capo.” My words held no emotion because his death had given me no satisfaction. But at least the man was dead and gone. I’d yet to hear anything from the Sicilian Don. At some point, I planned on making another visit. The man owed me.

“You don’t sound thrilled.” Christos lifted an eyebrow as he stared at me.

“Just bored, I guess.”

“You mean you’re missing that cute reporter,” Dimitrios teased.

I shrugged and didn’t take the bait he was tossing in my direction. “She’s happy. That’s all I care about.”

“Why lie to yourself, brother? You haven’t been happy since you put her on our jet.”

Dimitrios was right as usual, but at this point, there was no use in lamenting.

“Go to New York and bring her back.” Christos shook his head. “It’s the only way to fix this.”

“I might be many things and I’ve done some terrible deeds in my life, but I’m not adding kidnapping to the list.” I laughed after making the statement since I’d thought of little else.

The door opened and our two other board members walked in. At least they were all smiles.

“Gentlemen, welcome and take a seat,” Dimitrios instructed. “We have much to celebrate.”

Celebrate.

I was happy business was going well, our suffering officially ending, but mine was ongoing. The thought of living without her wasn’t settling with me at all.

As the men sat down, some small talk ensuing, my mind drifted off to the last thing she’d said to me before climbing the stairs onto the plane.

“I’ll never forget the time we shared. You’re very special, Havros. Never forget underneath those layers of armor is a very good man, a loving man. I’ll miss you.”

She’d kissed me on the cheek and never looked back. Meanwhile, I’d stood on the tarmac, waiting until I lost sight of her plane before walking away.

I certainly wasn’t a good man, no matter how many times she’d insisted that I was. Yet with her, I was a decent man striving to learn how to live. She’d brought the light into my world. Now the darkness had returned.

“Are you with us down there, Havros?” my older brother asked. The wry smile on his face was also one of knowing. My guess was the man could read my damn mind.

“Right here. Let’s get started.”

The thirty-minute proposed meeting turned into nearly an hour. Three phone calls had dropped into my voicemail. While I hadn’t been rude and pulled out my phone, I was itching to get the hell out of there. At least when I was alone I could grieve in peace.

Grieve.

She was alive and healthy, living life to the fullest and I was grieving like some caveman.

As soon as the meeting was over, I hopped up, not bothering to shake the board members’ hands. We’d worked together for far too long to care about such formalities. I headed out to the hallway, immediately reaching for my phone.

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