Chapter 84 New Job
Anna's POV
"No." The response came so quickly that even I was surprised.
The room went silent.
Xavier placed his glass on the table. "Lucas betrayed me. That much is true." His jaw tightened. "But he is not Zack's spy."
The capos exchanged glances. One of them cleared his throat. "Boss, with respect, how can you be sure?"
Xavier's eyes lifted slowly. "Because I know my brother."
Nobody challenged him after that. Not directly.
Still, I could feel their doubts lingering in the room.
The older capo nodded thoughtfully.
"If Lucas isn't Zack's spy, then we still have a problem."
"What problem?" Xavier asked.
"The information leaks." The room fell quiet again.
The capo continued. "Eve is dead. Lucas is gone. Yet Zack always seems one step ahead."
I felt my pulse quicken. That observation bothered me too. Maybe more than anyone else in this room.
Xavier leaned back in his chair. His expression became thoughtful. Then dangerous. "You're right, but Eve's death hasn't gone beyond 24hours yet for us to be sure there's another spy."
The words made everyone straighten. "In any case, If there is another leak, we'll find them." His voice was calm.
The kind of calm that usually came before something terrible.
One of the younger capos laughed nervously.
"For their sake, I hope we don't."
A few men chuckled. Another capo shifted the conversation. "So what happens now?"
Xavier's gaze moved around the table. "Now we hunt Zack."
The room instantly became more focused. Maps were spread across the table. Photos followed; of
warehouses, shipping routes, known associates and safe houses.
I watched as the men discussed strategies and locations. Every few minutes someone would point at a map or mention a name.
The amount of power gathered in this single room was terrifying.
These men weren't discussing possibilities. They were discussing a war.
One of the capos eventually looked at me. "Boss, if I may."
Xavier nodded.
The man turned toward me. "Your wife has become quite important in all of this."
I shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know about that."
The capo smiled. "With respect, miss, you've survived an auction, Zack, a kidnapping, and Lucas's obsession."
A few men laughed. Even Xavier looked amused.
The capo continued. "Most people wouldn't survive one of those things."
Another man raised his glass. "To Anna."
Several others copied him. "To Anna."
I blinked in surprise. Heat rushed to my cheeks.
I had no idea how to respond. Xavier looked at me. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "You hear that?"
I rolled my eyes. "They're making fun of me."
"No." He shook his head. "They're impressed."
For some reason, hearing that from him affected me more than hearing it from the others.
I quickly looked away.
The meeting continued for another few minutes before Xavier finally stood.
Immediately everyone else rose with him. Xavier clasped his hands behind his back. "Find Zack." His voice echoed through the room. "Find Lucas."
A pause followed. Then his gaze hardened. "And find whoever is still feeding information to our enemies."
Every capo nodded. "Yes, Boss."
The meeting was over. But as I sat there watching the men file out of the room, I couldn't shake the terrible feeling growing inside me.
Lucas was now a wanted man. A bounty would be placed on his head.
And if someone found him before Xavier did, they would probably kill him just to collect the reward.
The thought bothered me more than I wanted to admit
I followed Xavier out of the basement after the meeting ended.
My mind was still stuck on what had happened downstairs. Neither of us spoke as we climbed the stairs.
Xavier seemed lost in thought. I was too.
When we reached his floor, he pushed open the door to his room and walked inside.
I followed behind him. "I'm glad your capos are beginning to like me," I said.
Xavier removed his jacket and tossed it carelessly onto a chair. "What choice do they have?"
I frowned. "What does that mean?"
He loosened his tie. "Not liking you is a disrespect to me."
I rolled my eyes.
Only Xavier could make something sound both protective and arrogant at the same time.
"Hmm." I glanced toward the door. "I'd like to go to my room now."
"It's still morning."
I sighed. "Xavier."
"Spend some time with me."
I folded my arms. "Is that a request or an order?"
He poured himself a glass of wine. "Does it matter?"
I groaned. "It matters to me."
He handed me a look. "As long as you stay."
I knew arguing with him was pointless.
So instead, I walked over to the couch and sat down.
Far away from his bed. Very far away from his bed.
I caught the amused look on his face. I ignored it.
The room became quiet. For some reason, my thoughts drifted back to Lucas.
The mansion felt strange without him. It felt empty.
I looked around. "The mansion doesn't feel the same without Lucas."
To my surprise, Xavier nodded. "Yeah."
I looked at him carefully. For all his confidence, I knew Lucas's betrayal had affected him. He simply refused to show it.
Then Xavier suddenly said, "I wonder what you'd say if I wasn't around."
I frowned immediately. My eyes snapped toward him. "Where are you going?"
A smile appeared on his face. "There it is."
"There what is?"
"The concern."
I rolled my eyes. "I'm not concerned."
"Liar." I hated how easily he said that.
He poured another glass of wine and handed it to me. I accepted it.
Then he dropped the bomb. "I'm traveling."
My stomach tightened. "Traveling where?"
"Somewhere."
I groaned. "That's not an answer."
"It wasn't supposed to be."
I stared at him. Then, without thinking, I said, "I want to come."
His eyebrows shot up. "You what?"
"I said I want to come."
He laughed. "As much as I would love that, you can't."
"Why not?"
"Because you can't."
I narrowed my eyes. "That's not a reason."
"It is if I'm the one saying it."
I hated that answer. "I can't stay here either."
"Of course you can." He walked toward the window. "Now that Lucas isn't around, I need another pair of eyes I can trust."
I frowned. "That shouldn't be difficult."
"It isn't."
I blinked. "Then appoint someone."
"I am."
I stared at him. "Who?"
He turned toward me. "You, I'm placing you incharge of my affairs while I am gone."