Page 65 of Cruel Longing

He pulled into an open parking space. We had arrived at a tall office building. He removed the sunglasses from his eyes and turned to face me.

“I think she’d rather have her son alive than dead.” His words gripped me.

I closed my eyes. “Enzo, we’re not going to let that happen.” I tugged on the door handle.

“So, you are going to help?”

I hadn’t made a decision yet. I nodded. “Yes. I’m going to help.”

He started to smile.

“But I don’t know how,” I cautioned him. “Would you wait here while I have this meeting? Maybe we could grab a drink?”

“Yes. I have emails to send. I’ll keep the car running.”

“I have no idea how long it’s going to take,” I added.

“It’s okay. I’ll wait.”

I climbed out of the car and entered the building.

Twenty-Nine

LUKA

There was a wall of windows along the east side of the top floor. I swore I could see the entire Mississippi River from this view. Other than sunlight streaming through the glass, there wasn’t much other than construction dust and exposed wires and beams. Brick pillars stood every twenty feet. It was a huge open space full of potential.

I could see it. The full picture. A backdrop with our names. An office staffed. Adjoining suites. It was right here in this space. The future of the Novikovs and Amara Amato was going to happen in this building.

After my lunch with Mikhail, I was confident I could make it happen. Things were falling into place. I called Roman and he had booked a flight to New Orleans.

I would have four Brigadiers in the city and with Mikhail at the French training grounds I could return our manpower to the levels it used to be. I had learned something from Amara’s approach to business. Not all of it had to be done in the shadowsand in dark, damp warehouses. She had amassed power, wealth, and prestige with office buildings and reputable businesses to front what she did below the city. There was no reason I couldn’t do the same.

Today was the start of a new way of Novikov business. The Brigadiers could stick to the shadows while I ran the city from this exact spot.

I checked the ice in the champagne bucket.

She’d say yes, I knew she would.

I heard the elevator doors. I looked up just in time to see the most gorgeous long legs walking across the debris-strewn floor.

“You made it.” I grinned.

“Did I have a choice?” She twisted her lips together playfully.

“I see the elevator key worked.”

She spotted the silver champagne stand. “Luka, what’s going on?”

“This is the big surprise.” I stepped back.

“An unfinished building?” She looked at me skeptically. “This place needs a lot of work.”

“It’s not just any unfinished building. It’s going to beourbuilding.”

“What are you talking about?” Her voice climbed an octave.

“I’m talking about this place. This is where we join Novikov and Amato organizations into one company. We’re going to merge into one organization. Finally.”

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