Page 75 of Influence

The pride I felt for my big sister exceeded anything I could ever convey to her. She was nothing less than a superhero.

In my mind, she was fearless, a warrior overflowing with courage that surpassed anything I could ever imagine. Simultaneously, she was protective and loving toward Cali and me. Avra was the ideal godmother to guide the Vitalis family into the future.

The image of her composed, nearly tranquil face in the moment before her bullet shattered the silence and struck Franco right between the eyes would forever be a cherished memory of her unapologetic power.

“You were incredible, Avra,” I declared, unable to hide my admiration.

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she shot back, “Who said only men know how to handle things?” accompanied by a wink.

“Not me.” I laughed, the tension momentarily dissolving between us.

“Although,” she added, shrugging as if to dismiss any lingering consequences, “I realize I just fanned the flames a bit higher. We’ll have to deal with what comes next.”

Sitting beside me, Niko exuded quiet intensity. He hadn’t said much since our departure from the meeting, yet his silence was as loud as a roar. I longed to pull him aside and explore the tumult of thoughts swirling in his mind.

I understood my presence could ignite his simmering temper, yet I willingly embraced that risk. If he wanted to be angry with me, so be it; I was determined to conduct businesson my own terms. The sooner he realized this, the smoother our journey would be.

The words I had overheard earlier still echoed in my mind. I felt a flicker of pride in his passionate defense of our family’s honor, but a nagging thought persisted: if he was so earnest, why had he concealed the details of the meeting from me? It made me question whether he doubted my abilities. I held onto the hope that this wasn’t the case and silently prayed our bold actions today would dispel any lingering doubts for good.

“I’ve said it before, but men lash out when their egos are bruised,” I remarked, somewhat lost in thought.

“Hey,” Elias interjected with theatrical mock outrage.

Avra shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t deny it—you know deep down it’s true.”

“Come on.” Niko finally broke his silence, rolling his eyes.

“What?” I asked, daring him to respond. “You know it’s true,” I added confidently, expecting him to concede my point.

Niko’s eyes gleamed with seriousness that belied the banter as he continued, “Perhaps you two don’t care what anyone thinks, but I assure you that Moser is on the phone with everyone else, plotting to escalate his scheme to destroy us. Just because we’re seen as soft, he feels so threatened by our power that he resorts to desperate measures.”

Then, shifting the conversation, he added with genuine conviction, “A confident man who is secure in his place in the world naturally appreciates a powerful and strong woman. Wouldn’t you agree, Elias?”

“Absolutely,” Elias affirmed without hesitation, nodding with steadfast conviction.

Niko’s eyes then met mine, shining with deep sincerity that conveyed more than he could ever say. “I’m not intimidated by your power, Laya, or Avra’s. Having both of you by our sidemeans we’re unstoppable together. Why should I feel threatened by that?”

“You speak the truth, Niko,” Elias added.

Avra smiled brightly as she looked at the two of them.

“I’m grateful we have both of you,” she said.

Apparently, he shared the same sentiment. As soon as we arrived at our estate and stepped inside the house, Niko excused himself and pulled me aside.

“I need to speak with my wife alone. We’ll be back shortly,” he said, his firm stance inviting no further debate.

He guided me through a long, shadowy hallway and down a steep stairway that led to the cool, damp cellars. My mind raced with intrigue and expectation.

“Niko, what are you doing?” I inquired, feeling a whirlwind of surprise and eagerness swirling inside me.

His reply was a curt, “I need privacy,” that echoed in the dim corridor.

With careful steps, he guided me deeper into the shadows until we reached the end of the hall. He opened a heavy wooden door to a small, seldom used tasting room, gesturing for me to enter.

Inside, the room revealed its long-forgotten history, showcasing stacks of ancient, dust-covered barrels and rows of empty, brittle wine bottles, testifying to years of neglect. The scents of aged wood and lingering must filled the air.

I turned back to Niko, feeling a bit confused.

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