Page 97 of The High Priestess

“I just don’t want to lose any of our men.”

“Turning steal,” Saunders’ voice comes through the earpiece again, signaling they’re about to breach.

I let go of her hand, and releasing the magazine from my machine gun, I check the rounds before slamming it back into place.

The first SUV rams the gates, and we all follow it onto the property.

When we’re close enough to the mansion, Miller slams on the brakes, then he and Davies get out of the SUV. Gunfire erupts, and a few seconds later, Davies hits the door twice, indicating it’s safe for Cassia to climb out of the vehicle.

I go first, my gun ready and my eyes scanning over the front yard. Bodies of the few guards lie here and there, but not as many as I thought there would be, which has me frowning. I expected the place to be heavily protected.

As Cassia exits the SUV, she moves partially behind me, like I told her to do.

I start walking with her glued to my back, and Davies brings up the rear while Miller moves slightly ahead of us.

Closing in on the front door, Saunders’ voice comes through the earpiece, “Enemies all down and four targets contained in foyer. All clear.”

I glance over my shoulder, nodding at Cassia, and she moves in front of me, lifting her chin high as she steps into the house.

She looks so fucking powerful pride fills my chest for my woman.

CASSIA

As I enter the house, my eyes take in the three dead guards before I focus on Savvas, where he’s kneeling with his hands on top of his head.

Sweat pours down his face, and the moment he sees me, he says, “Cassia, what’s the meaning of this?”

My eyes flick to Arthur, who looks like he’s been beaten to within an inch of his life. “What happened to you?”

He struggles to stay upright, and his right hand keeps slipping off his head. “I found out Savvas was the traitor and came to confront him.”

“Lies!” Savvas shouts. “I found out he betrayed us. My men had to rough him up, but I was going to bring him to you.”

“You can put your hands down, Arthur,” I say before looking at Savvas’ terrified daughters.

“Remove the girls,” I order no one in particular.

Two of my men move forward to carry out the order while Savvas shouts, “No! Please Cassia. I’m telling you the truth.”

Slowly, I walk closer to him until I’m only a few steps away. As I look down at the man my family loved and trusted, I say, “I assume you don’t have that many guards because the bratva withdrew their men.” A smile curves my lips. “In case you were wondering, they left because I made a deal with Nikitin, and he doesn’t need you anymore.”

A frown forms on his face while he shakes his head. “It wasn’t me, Cassia.”

Taking hold of my gun, I pull it from the holster and point it at Savvas’ head. “It was. You’re the only person left, apart from me, who has access to the bank accounts. When you discovered I was still alive, you were going to try to kill me again so you could get to the money.”

He stares up at me, and when tears fill his eyes, he says, “I’m sorry.”

“Why did you do it?” I ask.

“Your father was out of control. We wouldn’t survive a war with the bratva. You know I’m right.”

“Why not just kill him?”

“You want to change too much,” he admits. “You will destroy the organization.”

Anger curls like tentacles around my heart, squeezing any love I ever had for this man out of the organ.

“You’re a greedy coward,” I murmur, my tone emotionless. “You took the easy way out by having the bratva do your dirty work for you. You didn’t even have the courage to do it yourself.” My finger curls around the trigger. “At least I have the guts to look you right in the eye as I kill you.”

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