A long row of limos rolled out of sight, leaving two behind—ours and Maxim Petrov’s. Maxim tightened the knot on the belt of his heavy black coat and strode our way, leaving his wife alone in the limo. He’d asked for a private moment to say goodbye to all of us.
Luca provided the location to Dimitri’s body, as promised, and Maxim had transported his son to be buried near home. Sadly, Luca had also told the truth about the betrayal of both Ivana and Adrian. I had no idea what Maxim would do with his daughter and nephew, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be privy to the details of their punishments. Their fates were in Maxim’s hands.
Luca had first approached Ivana and whispered ideas of power in her head. Then he’d slept with her. Coerced her into believing she ought to rule the family dynasty. But even with Dimitri gone, she wasn’t sure if her father would turn the reins over to her. She was worried that being female meant she’d be skipped over, so she made a deal with Adrian and formed a partnership. Whoever landed the role when the time came, they’d share the power. But according to Ivana, she didn’t want her brother to die, only to disappear and live a cushy life somewhere out of sight.
Adrian altered the plans, and then Luca altered them some more.
The confessions from both Ivana and Adrian should’ve been the nail in Luca’s coffin, but after Sebastian and Maxim looked over the USB provided by Luca, and the dirt he’d already collected on many high-ranking Alliance officials . . . well, Luca was too valuable to kill.
“Do you know how many unmarked graves exist here? Beneath people’s feet, and they do not even know about it?” Maxim peered in the direction of the city center off in the distance. “The blood of many innocents once painted our streets red.” He removed a glove from his hand, exposing his tattoo. “When my father began the family business, his goal was to help Russians. Modernize and westernize. Like Peter the Great. Help those suffering. Offer opportunities not given to them.”
The tattoo they all wore made much more sense now.
“Under Stalin’s rule, it was too dangerous for so many. Corruption. Evil. Organizations were started to keep crime away from cities. We provided paid protection and such. My father was an oligarch of sorts.” His deep exhale visibly floated through the air. “We may have lost our way over the years, but before my son went missing, he had been trying to remind me of our original pledge.” He extended a hand Sebastian’s way, and my brother removed his leather glove and accepted his palm. “If you have our backs, I vow to run the business like we started so many years ago.” He smiled. “Very similar to your League.” He took Cole’s hand next. Then Emilia’s and Sean’s.
It was a bit surreal to be back in Russia and standing a few feet away from Dimitri’s burial site with Maxim now taking my hand. His eyes beheld mine, a slight tremble of emotion in his lower lip. “His sister may have betrayed him for money and power, but you clearly became like a sister to him, and he died so you may live. Do good things with your life, and his life will live in those actions.”
Tears gathered in my eyes, nearly freezing as they trickled down my cheeks as if in slow motion. “I promise.” My body was cold, but my lungs burned. It was hard to get a decent breath with so many emotions whirling inside of me.
Dimitri was gone.
Luca was back in a League prison but only until a plan had been approved and solidified.
War with The Alliance was on the horizon.
I would be voted in as a leader.
But also . . . Cole. We were together, and Dimitri helped make sure that happened.
“When do you meet to vote?” Maxim placed his glove back on and turned his attention to Sebastian, still seeing him as the “main leader” of Ireland, and in reality, it was probably true. I doubted Cole, and especially not Sean, would protest that.
Cole had done an amazing job, but Sebastian was born for this role. And now, if the rest of The League leaders voted in our favor, we’d offer support as additional leaders to help take back not only Ireland but the world from The Alliance.
“Next Saturday,” Sebastian answered.
“We’re convening at my home in Sicily,” Emilia added, drawing Maxim’s attention. “We will vote on adding Sean and Alessia as leaders and bringing Sebastian back. And, of course, on ending The Alliance pact and uniting with your family.”
“And Luca Moreau?” Maxim folded his arms, unease crossing his face, and damn did I feel the same.
“Once we all vote, we will give it enough time as previously discussed, and then we have him escape and reach out to The Alliance,” Cole explained. And saying those words had to hurt him.
“And he offers himself as an inside man?” Maxim knew the plan, but he probably had the same concerns as all of us and needed to hear the details again. “Offer the intelligence we want him to provide. Sort of like an old KGB agent infiltrating the CIA or FBI during the Cold War?”
“Yes, but if he double-crosses us, he dies,” Sebastian added in a firm, no-bullshit tone.
And how much did my brother wish for Luca to do a double-cross, so he had an excuse to take him out?
“The Alliance won’t declare war on us. Or your organization. Not outright, at least,” Sebastian noted. “With us uniting, they know they will be outnumbered.”
“And while they scramble to make a new plan to try and take us down and ensure their survival, we’ll have already begun our strike.” Cole sounded more and more like he, too, was born for this position.
I squeezed my eyes closed, memories running through my mind like a speeding train without brakes, all the moments leading to here.
I had a brother. A sister-in-law. Real and true friends I’d do anything for. Unbreakable bonds.
And Cole. I had Cole.
I had my heart back.
A finished puzzle.
And for the first time in my life, even with Luca still alive . . . well, I felt complete.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Cole
Sicily, Italy – One Week Later
Alessia twisted her mass of hair into some type of updo, pinning the glossy locks at the back of her head before catching my eyes in the mirror as I came up behind her. “You look delicious in that tux.” Her tongue darted out to wet her lips before her bright white teeth sank into her plump, red bottom lip. “I can’t wait to get that off you after we vote.”
My focus fell to the floor, my gaze slowly floating up the length of the tight-fitting red silk dress wrapped around her body, a long slit going up the side, exposing her tan leg. The material showed her perfect arse and curvaceous hips. Her silhouette was stunning. Her body a feckin’ masterpiece, a work of art I wanted to spend a lifetime studying.
The back of the dress dipped low, revealing the lack of a bra. I braced her bare arms, bringing my chest to her back. “And maybe we shouldn’t wait until after?”
“The vote is in ten minutes.” She smiled, and I spun her around once she’d finished securing her hair. “And you really should be following the doctor’s orders and refraining from any strenuous activities.”
“That didn’t keep you from riding my cock this morning. And last night,” I reminded her, smiling as the blush fanning her cheeks grew to a deeper shade of red.
Her cute eye roll had me clamping down on my teeth, resisting the urge to spank her, something she’d requested the other night. I’d never done that before, but I wasn’t about to say no. And it was also really hot. “At your insistence.” Her tongue rolled over her front teeth as if checking for lipstick, but I knew better. She was screwing with me.
“And my wound didn’t open. Stitches remained intact. I was fine.”
“Just because you don’t mind a little bit of pain in bed, doesn’t mean I want to be the cause of physically hurting you.”
I’d killed the man who’d done a number on me the day Adrian had taken Alessia two and a half weeks ago. I didn’t have any regrets. No nightmares. Alessia had been worried it’d change me. But she’d been forced to take the life
of a friend, which was a very different line to cross. And the moment an opportunity presented itself, how would I be able to resist punishing Luca for his sins?
Alessia had healed even more in the time since she’d unveiled the truth to me and Sebastian weeks ago.
She no longer had nightmares. No more lights on at night unless we were making love, and I demanded I see that perfect body of hers. She even looked at herself in the mirror again without guilt filling her eyes.
I had insisted she meet weekly over a virtual call with The League therapist, and she’d agreed. Her first session had been this past Monday, and she’d said it was helpful.
“It didn’t hurt. I promise.” And, honestly, having sex with the woman I loved was the best kind of medicine in my not-so-expert opinion.
I planted a kiss to her lips. “Bellissima.”
“Ah, you speak Italiano now?” she teased.
“I have to up my game since you’re apparently fluent in Russian.” That’d been a hell of a surprise to discover, but the woman was as much brain as she was beauty. Also, almost four years in a Russian prison, what’d I expect?
She smoothed her hands over the lapels of my tux jacket before fidgeting with my bow tie. “My brother even has you wearing the designer he loves now. Italian, right?”
I smirked. Maybe Sebastian was rubbing off on me a little. “You know, this is the first time spouses and significant others have been invited to a League gathering,” I said instead of admitting she was right about the clothes.
“I guess you’re referring to Holly since I am technically going to become League, too,” she corrected me.
Alessia as a League leader. At my side. All of us working together. Even my cousin. Was this real?
“Second thoughts?” She lifted a questioning brow, and I secured a hand on her arse and squeezed, my other hand slipping to the side of her dress and pushing aside the fabric, checking to ensure there was a built-in bra. Lucky for her, there was, or I’d have to bite on that nipple, to torture her in the best possible way until she relented and put one on.
“I’ll stand by you. Always.” I shifted back to bring my mouth to her exposed breast. I circled my tongue around the soft pink area before running the flat part of my tongue over her nipple. Followed by a gentle bite because I just couldn’t help myself.
Her hands went to my shoulders. “You’re horrible. Getting me all wet before we go downstairs,” she complained in a cute, pouty voice.
“Good. I’ll be thinking about that wet pussy all evening,” I said when returning her strap to its rightful place.
Her fingers skimmed over her neckline, searching for her necklace, and she frowned. “We should stop by and grab Sean from his room on the way down.”
“Good call.” I took a moment to kiss her lips, distracting her from the absence of her Celtic cross. “My cousin is probably still trying to decide on what color tie would best match his eyes.” I shook my head, and she chuckled.
I flicked off the en suite light on our way out, and then we entered the bedroom, one of the twenty-five at Emilia’s estate. We’d arrived yesterday and would be heading back to Dublin tomorrow if all went well tonight.
“He’s not that much of a pretty boy. He has some rough edges, and he is a McGregor, so surely beneath that playboy attitude, there’s the man we need. A League leader.” She was optimistic, but hell, I had no clue if my cousin truly understood what he’d signed up for in all of this. “I mean, Adam as leader would make more sense given he needs no training, but he’s a new dad, so.”
We locked our room and started down the hall in search of Sean’s suite. We passed by the leader of Japan and nodded hello, then kept on our way. “Where will you get your tattoo?”
“Emilia’s is on the back of her shoulder blade. I’ll probably do the same.” She faced me in front of Sean’s door and smiled. “You might need to hold my hand.”
“I think I can do that.” My stomach always did flips every time she aimed that gorgeous smile at me. I planted a hand on Sean’s door over her shoulder and leaned in. “We never did get our Valentine’s date. Or any date, for that matter.”
“A first date,” she whispered. “I’d like that.”
“Maybe when we get home, I can take you around the city. Show you Dublin through my eyes.”
“You painted such a beautiful picture of Dublin when we were younger, and I’d always wanted nothing more than to experience the city with you.” She wet her lips and kissed me. “Dublin at night, you at my side . . . I can’t imagine anything better.”
I could, but I wasn’t ready to spoil the surprise.
When her brows knitted, and she turned her head to the side, I realized why—a distinct noise came from inside my cousin’s room. Something had fallen. Followed by another crash. A struggle?
Alessia faced the door and reached for the handle. “Wait. He may be in there fighting someone,” I said, my pulse spiking.
She glimpsed back at me with a look that said And your point is? I let go of a breath and nodded at the reminder she was capable of handling herself.
“It’s unlocked,” she said upon twisting the knob, then she pushed it open.
I took one step forward next to her, but we both halted in surprise.
Sean’s shirtless back was to us, his palms planted on the wall on either side of his head. Long, toned legs wrapped around his waist, and a pair of delicate hands with red nails gripped his bare torso. A quick look revealed both nightstand lamps were on the floor, broken.
And then a voice hit our ears. A very familiar voice with an Italian accent.
“We’ll be right down.” Emilia peeked over Sean’s shoulder, and Alessia and I backed out into the hall and shut the door.
“What was that?” I raked a hand through my hair.
Alessia’s eyes widened, a touch of excitement there. “Do I need to spell it out for you? When two people like each other very much . . .”
Now I was the one rolling my eyes, and I lightly slapped her arse when she’d turned away toward the staircase. “You’re going to get it later.”
She threw a feisty look over her shoulder at me. “Promise?”
* * *
“I don’t know what to say.” Alessia pulled Emilia into her arms for a tight hug, and Emilia held her palms up as if not quite sure what to do, while Alessia clutched onto her. Emilia was clearly not comfortable with public displays of affection, but she’d seemed quite comfortable grabbing hold of my cousin two hours ago.
Alessia hugged Sebastian and Holly next.
“We did it,” Sebastian said with a nod as we stood inside the ornate ballroom within Emilia’s castle-like estate.
Italian statues, marble, massive chandeliers, gold wallpaper . . . the setting was a throwback to, well, another era. I wasn’t sure which since my area of expertise was not Italian history, and the only words I actually knew in Italian were related to Alessia’s beauty and the things I wanted to do to her later tonight.
“It’s really official.” Holly wrung her hands together as she stood in a gold silk dress that was a perfect complement to the large space.
Other League leaders and their spouses stood around the room chatting and snacking, while an orchestra played at a stage off to the side. The sounds of the saxophone filled the air as Sebastian hooked an arm around his wife and pulled her to his side.
“I still can’t believe we convinced them to go with the plan,” Alessia said in astonishment, her eyes set on one particular League leader, Luca’s uncle. He’d been the most vocal supporter of the plan to add more leaders in Ireland, as well as change our alliances. Surprisingly, he’d even advocated for his nephew to infiltrate The Alliance to help us take down the organization. He still blamed himself for never realizing what Luca had really been up to for so many years, same as Sebastian. “Just give me a second.” She left us and headed to Moreau, and I did my best to give her space as she spoke with him. I wanted to be at her side, but if she needed a last bit of
closure by talking to Luca’s uncle, I’d respect that.
“How long until Luca’s prison break?” Sean asked, his gaze roaming over Emilia as if remembering whatever the hell had happened between them two hours ago. I wasn’t sure what to think about them being together. I doubted he’d break her heart, but would she break his?
“We should give it some time so The Alliance doesn’t suspect anything. They’ll test him, though. They’ll do their best to make certain his commitment to their group is legit,” Sebastian answered while I remained eyeing Alessia. “If he finds a way to remove his tracker, it’s game over, though.”
All the men who’d been pawns in Luca’s game, including J.J., had been rounded up as well. Well, all that we knew of . . .
“Who will monitor him? Keep track?” Holly asked, and I peered her way. “Be his, um, handler, if that’s what you want to call it?”
“I’ll handle Luca,” Emilia spoke up. It’d already been agreed upon during the closed-door League meeting while Holly was waiting with other League spouses. Sean hadn’t appeared to take the news well, and given his make-out session with Emilia earlier, was that why? Apparently, Sebastian and I couldn’t be trusted to not kill the fucker, and Luca’s uncle was out of the question.
Still, even now, with Emilia answering Holly’s question, I was fairly certain Sean was going to break the glass in his hand.
“What do you think his real motive is?” Holly’s tone was a touch deflated, sharing our concerns at the idea Luca would be out on the streets in a few months.
“Luca’s a gambler. Always hedging his bets and making contingency plans. I should have expected he’d have another card up his sleeve, a way to secure his freedom. He saved his neck by telling me Alessia was really alive, and now he’s landed a way out of prison,” Sebastian responded, an icy and ferocious bite to his voice.
The Inside Man: A Dublin Nights Novel Page 30