His head jerked in another nod, but he didn’t say anything else. He was from Colombia, and he’d told me a bit about how dangerous and brutal his life there was. Maybe he was worried about fighting against the Alacrán Cartel? Did he know them?
“We need as many men on the ground as possible,” Cas said, filling the pause in conversation. My eyes were on Ciel. “If we’re fighting against the cartelandtwo of the Families, we needmanpower and protection. We can see if the Irish want in on this, too.”
My attention snapped back to our conversation, but I’d follow up with Ciel later.
“I talked to Willow earlier. She says Fallon has scores to settle,” Wynn said. “They’re still recovering from the loss of their bars. She’s out for blood, too.”
“Volpe might be forging alliances, but he has also made enemies,” Obi said. “We need to capitalize on that.”
Obi was right. But I still got the impression he was making a lot more plans than he was telling us about.
I knew he was smart. I knew he was doing what would help us win this war.
But it felt like I kept shrinking.
I could stand toe-to-toe with him. I could lead us if he’d let me. I just had to show him I was capable.
“If Fallon and her men can keep watch over Philadelphia and the ports there, we can start getting eyes on shipments coming into New York. Wynn, can you play messenger between us?” I asked Wynn, who nodded. I untucked my legs from beneath me and stretched forward. My body was already itching to move. To release some of the stress and pent-up energy. “We’re going to need to stop the South Americans from importing new product. Can Konstantin focus on that?”
Ryuji’s thumbs flew across the screen of his phone. “He’ll do what we need him to do.”
Thank God they were friends. The Bratva were always a major thorn in my father’s side. It was refreshing to see the tables turned.
I turned to my beloved bodyguard. “Cas, can you take the lead on talking to Giulio and help spread word about claiming ownership of the Family? After Ciel sends out his message, weneed someone to handle discreet communication and organizing our forces.”
“Of course I can,” he said with a gentle squeeze of my thigh. “I know almost every single man that was in your father’s army, and I knew most in Tommaso’s with how often you were at Chiara’s house. We’ll turn them to our side, I guarantee it.”
Cas might have been my bodyguard, but he was also a general in his own right. One of my father’s most trustedcapos. He was used to leadership, and he’d finally get to use his skills for a task that deserved them.
I flipped his hand over so I could interlock our fingers. “That covers personnel. We’ll have an army before we know it.”
My eyes slid over to Obi. Every single word out of my mouth, every single idea that came from my head, felt like a test. I just couldn’t tell if I was passing.
“What is the next part of Operation Undermine Max?” Obi asked.
“I’m glad you asked.” This is the part I’d been mulling over since the moment the Shadows agreed to our partnership. “Money. The bulk of the Vero Family income comes from gun smuggling and covering it through our legitimate business portfolio, starting with Vero Construction, Inc. Max currently has control of both. I want both.”
“The Vero Family businesses operate all over the country,” Obi said, a glint in his eye. “Volpe is currently in charge of operations. It will not be easy taking control.”
I bit my lip in thought. “I know. I barely know anything about running a company, and Max has been steeped in the organization for years now. But without a will, doesn’t the majority share of the company pass to me, anyway?”
Obi nodded. “It is most likely.”
“Your father would have left it to you, princess,” Cas said. “He was proud that you took business classes.”
My lips pressed together. “He was?”
I thought my father hated my choice to study at college. He just wanted me to stay at home and follow orders until he was ready to marry me off.
“He used to brag to thecaposwhen he’d had too much wine. He’d want you there, and I would bet the board is aware of that.”
I swallowed down the lump that lodged itself in my throat. My father was a complicated man. Would I ever understand him? The things that he did?
“I had a daydream about storming into a board meeting in a sexy red dress,” I said with a laugh, wetness stinging my eyes. “Make all those old men hand over the business to me.”
Cas took my hand and pressed it against his chest. “They’d melt in their chairs.”
I sucked in a breath. Maybe my fatherdidtry to leave the company to me. Maybe there would be people on my side if I waltzed into a board meeting and claimed it was all mine.
