*Adrik*
I looked at Armando, preferring to get to business. “Any news on Dario and Massimo?”
He nodded. “They’ve made plans to visit Trino at the end of this week. I’ve got people within Trino’s organization that are keeping tabs on Lorenzo and Anthony for me. With Trino’s blessing, of course. They’re still down there, with no immediate plans to leave. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing if they all end up there together, or if it’s a bad thing.”
I rested my head in my hand, thinking of the potential outcomes. “I guess we’ll know more by the end of the week. After yesterday, I’m daring them to join forces. It’ll give me more reason to kill them all. I’m beginning to wonder why I need any of them, at this point.”
Armando looked thoughtful, instead of shocked like I was expecting. “You know, Boss. I’ve thought the same thing recently. Why can’t you run the city yourself? Why do you need them? The people of the city love you much more than any of the other bosses. They’ll stand with you, if it comes to it.”
“You’re just as popular with the people, Mando. And I still need you, as well. But the rest of them? My patience is growing dangerously thin with every single one of them,” I said, running my hand through my hair.
“Do you think it warrants you taking a trip to see Trino? I think it’s important that Sephie meets him now, if he’s meeting with all the other bosses. We need to know we can count on him, in this plan,” he said.
“That’s not a bad point. Just not while everyone else is down there.” I looked at my watch. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow. I need to give Ivan and Andrei some time to heal before we go anywhere. I can’t afford to have any holes in my security right now”
“Agreed. What happened exactly?”
“They hit the vehicle that Ivan and Sephie were in, then blocked them in, cutting Andrei and Misha off from them. They tried to get back to Ivan and Sephie, but were under gunfire immediately. Ivan and Sephie managed to escape, but I’m glad Stephen taught Sephie how to shoot. She took out more men than Ivan did yesterday.”
Giana’s eyes went wide. Armando saw the fear on her face and reached over, grabbing her hand. His thumb rubbing circles lightly on the back of her hand. I looked from Armando to Giana, then back to Armando. “It wouldn’t be a bad idea to teach her how to shoot too. I don’t know how bad it’s about to get, but I have a feeling it won’t be pretty. How’s it going with putting together your own security detail?”
Armando looked at Giana, likely unsure about teaching her how to use a gun. “We’ve got more interviews lined up this week. Viktor has been invaluable in this process. We’ve already hired 10 men that are highly skilled, so they won’t need much training. They can start almost immediately. We’re hoping to hire 10 more, at least. I can return to my house once that happens.”
“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need, Mando. It’ll keep Giana closer to other people, too. You’re all she has if you go to your house. I hear Ms. Jackson is helping to keep you both entertained here, at least.”
Giana smiled at the mention of Ms. Jackson. “She’s a remarkable woman. Did you know she used to be a spy?”
I raised my eyebrow, but stayed silent. Sephie never mentioned that, if she knew. It would explain how Ms. Jackson knows Russian though. I quickly did the math in my head. The Cold War. Likely the end of the Cold War, if my estimate of her age was correct. I smiled to myself. I knew I liked her.
Armando looked surprised, swearing under his breath. “She is a fascinating woman. I’ll consider your offer. It would be nice to maybe have a few quiet days away at the house, but be able to return here when needed.”
“Those apartments are yours, for as long as you want them. I’ll let you know what I find out from Trino tomorrow. Keep me informed if anything changes with Dario and Massimo.” I stood up, offering him my hand.
He stood and grasped my hand firmly in his. “Will do. And as always, thank you for everything, Boss.”
I looked to Giana. She looked like she wanted to hide behind Armando, but was trying to be brave. I gave her a half-smile. “It’s good to see you again, Giana.”
She took a deep breath and extended her hand to me. “It’s good to see you too, sir. And thank you again for everything you’ve done for us while we’ve been here. Please give my well wishes to Sephie, Ivan, and Andrei.”
I took her hand, amused at her chutzpah. “I will. Hopefully they’ll be back here in a few days.”
Viktor escorted them out while I finished up some minor paperwork before we could leave for the day. I was anxious to get back to the house. Stephen and Viktor walked into my office a few minutes later. “The helicopter will be here in 10 minutes, Boss.”
“Have you heard how Andrei and Ivan are doing today?” I asked.
Viktor sighed. I felt a twinge of panic as I knew he wasn’t going to have good news. “Andrei is fine. He’s been off and on sleeping, like he usually does when he’s seriously hurt. Misha said they went for a walk this afternoon, once Andrei had gotten up. He said it was fine until they left the lake to go back to the house. Ivan was unsteady on his feet when he stood up, but managed to make it back to the house, with Sephie’s help. She was going to force him to take a nap on the couch, so she could stay with him, when they got back. He went to his room to change, and Misha thinks he ended up breaking down. Sephie went to check on him when he didn’t come out, but then she didn’t come out, so Misha stuck his head in the door. Ivan was losing it. Sephie was trying to comfort him. Misha said they stayed in Ivan’s room for almost an hour, but when they finally came out, they both looked like they’d been crying the entire time. He knows Ivan won’t talk about anything in front of them, but he suspects he’s told Sephie everything. Sephie told me in the hospital that he had, so Misha’s right. Boss, she’s the only one that’s been able to pull him out when he's haunted by his past because he has to go to the hospital. I saw her do it in the middle of the night when everyone else was asleep. It was just like you did for her when we were on the plane. I’ve never seen anything like it, with either of them. She told me in the hospital that their demons recognized each other,” he said, chuckling.
“I suspect their shared hatred of doctors has something to do with that. She broke down in the hospital, after she talked to the doctor in the hall. She told me that Ivan sacrificed himself to keep her safe. She said when the truck hit them, she clearly remembers him turning toward her to use his body as a shield to protect her. She thinks it’s her fault that they got hurt.”
“How could any of that be her fault?” Stephen asked.
“I don’t know. She feels responsible because they’re trying to get to her. I told it wasn’t her fault, but I’m not sure she believes me yet. It makes me want to kill the other bosses and just be done with it. I’m done with her being put in danger.”
“We all are,” Viktor said as he pulled his phone out, typing a message, then putting his phone back in his pocket. “I ordered food. If she’s been looking after Ivan all afternoon, she likely hasn’t had time to do anything else. I know how he gets when he has to go to a hospital. It’s…a lot.”
“This is why you’re her favorite giant Russian security master,” Stephen said, smiling.