Chapter 44 Chapter 44
Nikolai
After lunch I told Ms. Devon that I had urgent matters to attend to and came straight home. I didn’t expect Isla to give me a Valerius heirloom, of all things. I watched her, looking for any signs of discomfort. I wasn't rough with her last night because I knew she would be in pain, but she looked fine. When she leaned down, I saw the mark on her, and that only made me want her again. Fuck.
She sat down and looked at me. "Why are you looking at me like that?” She asked.
“Because I intend to fuck you until you’re a sweaty mess."
I saw her breath hitch, her cheeks turned red, and she squeezed her legs together, fuck. I saw them walking in. My mother along with my father, Uncle Anton, and Uncle Victor. When they came in, they sat down and looked at me. “Ms. De Luca," my mother said.
“Mrs. Ferro”
"Nikolai, what is going on? First we got a call saying you had an accident. Now Victor said there was a problem at the construction company," Dad said.
“What?” I asked, leaning forward.
“Our suppliers are pulling out one by one, and they were offered the same benefits we are offering, the exact benefits, and just one hundred dollars less," Victor said.
“Gia and Stefan have been meeting with the Morettis. They’ve defaulted.” I said
“What?” Dad asked.
“Natalie found out; they are probably selling off info," I said.
“Anton and Katrina need to know about this." My mother said.
“Call them over, everyone except Gia and Stefan."
“I’ll let you discuss this; Maria will prepare drinks for you," she said, standing up and heading to the stairs. After she was gone, my mother looked at me.
“Ms. De Luca? She is…?” my mother asked.
“A man needs a strong woman beside him," Victor said. I sighed.
“She is my wife."
“What?” My mother asked.
“Yes, I married her the first day she came here. However, she didn't know until a few days ago.”
My mother threw a cushion at me. “You bastard son of mine. How could you? A woman deserves more than signing a paper." She yelled.
“What do you think will happen when the Morettis find out she is more than a business acquaintance?” I asked, and I saw the look on her face, and she went quiet.
“But still, couldn't you have said something? We would have thrown a party or something," my mother said.
“Later, don't let her know you know," I said as she walked back into the living room. Maria brought drinks out for everyone. She came over and sat down.
“Umm, Natalie, are you ... Have you? What I mean to ask is how knowledgeable are you on business affairs?” My mother asked, and I could see the rest of the men shaking their heads, including his head.
“I am quite knowledgeable, Mrs. Ferro. I have multiple diplomas, in business and in stocks." She replied, and I felt proud. I left her alone for five years, and she became someone that could hold her own, and I was fucking proud.
“That is wonderful; you can assist Nikolai with the business," my mother said.
Katrina, Anton, Alessio, Esme, and Julian walked in and took a seat.
“What is going on?" My sister asked. I could see the way my brother looked at Isla; he was trying to figure out what was going on, but I wasn't going to give him shit; he could try all he wanted.
"Gia and Stefan have defaulted. They've been working with the Morettis for a while now. One of the construction businesses, they gave all the info to the Morettis, and now that business is at a loss; it can't be salvaged.”
“That damn bastard; no wonder both of them have been avoiding us," Anton said.
“What on earth have my children done?” Katrina said. They were all looking at me.
“What do you intend to do, cousin?” Julian asked, and I saw. My aunts' and uncles' faces go pale. Betrayal in the Ferro family warranted death. I opened my mouth to answer, but Isla beat me to it.
“See how much they've already said. Change it all, find out how much influence they have in different parts of the businesses, and remove them. Make subtle changes without telling them," she said, and I was surprised for a second because that was just what I was about to say.
“Let them think we are unaware. I won't kill them, but when this is settled, they'll join Grandmother in exile."
“I asked Stefan what he had been doing lately, and he gave vague answers," Julian said.
Just then my father pulled out his phone and checked it, then made a face.
“It seems Alistair Rhodes is having issues; he wants to borrow my lawyer," my father said, and I looked at her.
“Mr. Ferro, I would advise you not to get tangled up with Trj Rhodes, as they are about to meet their end," she said, and my father looked between us. After a while he nodded.
"Noted, Ms. De Luca," he replied.
"Julian, you'll take over the construction, and everyone remains as is. Find out who their confidants in each business sector are and have them removed.”
"Okay."
“And me?” My sister asked.
“Just keep doing what you already do, spend money like there is no tomorrow."
“Okay then. Natalie, since you are now a part of this family's inner circle, we usually have Sunday dinners as a family. Nikolai hasn't attended in weeks. "Why don't you join us this Sunday?" my mother said, smiling at her.
“Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Ferro," she said.
After the left, she stood up and called for Ares. ”And where are you going?”
“To visit Jacob," she replied, grabbing the bags and walking out.
After she left, I headed straight to my office and called Brax.
“Mr. Ferro, what can I assist you with?”
“All the Ferro family businesses, I want a list of all the employees that have come into contact with Gia and Stefan. Cross-reference it; even if they just said good morning to them, I want to know. ”.
"Umm, boss, that’s going to take a while," he said.
“Don't care; have it before the end of the week.” I ended the call and called Arlo.
"Mr. Ferro? ”.
"Put a halt on all projects. The entire business is not just Vanguard; it's real estate, casinos, clubs, everything.
“Okay, sir, I will make the calls," he said, ending the call.
Lorenzo Moretti. This wasn't just a rivalry; this was a deep-seated grudge between the two of us that started years ago. He wanted what I had, and I wouldn't be the king of the underworld if I let him fucking take it.