Chapter 93 New Plan
Anna's POV
I looked around the table before taking a slow breath.
"I find it strange that of all the days you could have chosen to discuss this..." I said calmly, "...you picked today."
One of the capos leaned forward. "And why is that strange?"
I folded my arms. "Because Xavier isn't here. I think it would have been more interesting if he was."
Another capo shrugged. "It took us time to connect the dots. And now we have, we don't need Xavier's presence to tackle it."
"The new development changed everything," another added. "Lucas has been spotted around Zack's territory. It's possible he has been working with Zack all along."
A third capo looked directly at me. "And if Lucas was working with Zack..." He paused deliberately. "...then perhaps you were working with Lucas."
The room fell silent.
He finished, "Perhaps you're still Lucas' informant inside this house. I'm almost certain you know where he is hiding."
Lilly immediately frowned. "That's a very serious accusation against the Don's wife."
One of the older men turned sharply toward her. "No one asked for your opinion."
"You should keep quiet."
Lilly looked offended, but before she could reply, I caught her eye.
I gave her a small smile and a slight nod.
Leave it to me.
She relaxed in her chair.
I turned my attention back to the table. "If I remember correctly..." My voice remained pleasant. "...the last person who accused me without evidence was also a capo."
Several men exchanged glances.
I continued. "And unless my memory has failed me, Xavier killed him."
Nobody interrupted.
I leaned back comfortably. "Now, Xavier isn't here today."
I pointed casually toward one corner of the ceiling. "But I'm fairly certain there's a camera over there."
Every head instinctively turned.
"Which means there's a possibility Xavier is watching this meeting."
The room became noticeably quieter.
"So..." I clasped my hands together. "To avoid getting yourselves killed when he returns..."
"I'd advise you to present your evidence now."
I smiled politely. "Or find some before Xavier gets back."
The confidence around the table evaporated.
One man cleared his throat.
Another shifted uncomfortably.
A third looked away altogether.
Satisfied, I continued. "I don't know Lucas very well."
"Compared to all of you, I barely knew him."
"But from what little I saw..."
I paused. "...there wasn't a single person in this room more loyal to Xavier than Lucas."
Even saying it surprised me.
I looked from one capo to another. "Not even me."
Silence.
"So until we have undeniable proof that Lucas has allied himself with Zack..."
"We keep that accusation off this table."
For a long moment, nobody argued.
Finally, one capo nodded. "I suppose that's fair."
Several others reluctantly agreed. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Lilly staring at me.
Even she looked surprised.
I decided to press my advantage. "How many of you followed Xavier into Zack's territory yesterday?"
Every hand remained down.
Every head shook.
Then one capo hesitated.
"I know someone who did."
I looked at him.
"Who?"
"He isn't here."
"Where is he?"
"He should still be somewhere in the mansion."
I nodded.
"Call him."
The capo frowned.
"Now?"
"Yes."
I leaned forward. "Bring him here."
"If Xavier didn't explain everything to me..."
I glanced around the table. "...I'm assuming he didn't explain it to any of you either."
Several capos nodded. "He didn't."
The man pulled out his phone and made a quick call. "Get Ghost down here immediately."
Less than five minutes later, the conference room door opened.
A tall, thin man stepped inside.
His head was completely bald.
Dark tattoos crawled from his neck to the backs of his hands.
His movements were unnaturally quiet.
The nickname suited him perfectly.
Ghost.
I studied him for a second.
"You know who I am?"
He nodded once.
"Yes, Mrs. Anna."
One of the capos gestured toward him.
"Tell us what happened yesterday."
Ghost didn't waste time.
"It was a trap."
The room became still.
"We lost good men."
His jaw tightened.
"Zack already knew we were searching for Lucas."
"He used that information to lure us in."
I frowned.
That wasn't what Xavier had told me.
"So..."
I asked carefully.
"There was no sign of Lucas?"
Ghost shook his head.
"None."
He looked around the room.
"It's like Lucas vanished."
"He became a ghost."
One of the capos snorted.
"Either that..."
"...or someone is hiding him."
The room fell quiet again.
Finally another capo looked toward me.
"So what do we do now?"
I thought about it for a few seconds before answering.
"I think we're looking at the wrong target."
Several brows furrowed.
"We're wasting too much energy chasing Lucas."
I rested both hands on the table.
"Meanwhile Zack is exploiting our search."
Ghost nodded thoughtfully.
I continued.
"If Zack truly had Lucas..."
"He wouldn't keep it secret."
"He'd use Lucas as leverage."
"He'd force Xavier into negotiations."
"He'd make demands."
I looked around the room.
"But he hasn't."
"Instead..."
"...he's using rumors and false trails."
I leaned forward.
"That tells me one thing."
The capos watched me closely.
"Zack doesn't have Lucas."
Silence settled over the room.
"So let's stop playing Zack's game."
One capo frowned.
"What do you suggest?"
I smiled.
"We set our own trap."
Confused looks spread around the table.
I spoke slowly.
"I believe Zack is searching for Lucas too."
The surprise on every face told me they hadn't considered that possibility.