Chapter 93 The Meeting
COLLIN'S POV
I sat in my office making calls to every important person in my organization. This was going to be the biggest meeting I had ever called and everyone needed to be there. Every lieutenant. Every captain. Every person who mattered.
"I need you at the estate tonight," I said into the phone. "Nine pm sharp. This is mandatory."
"What is this about boss?" Viktor asked on the other end.
"You will find out when you get here," I said. "Just make sure you are there. And bring everyone under you. I want a full showing."
I hung up and dialed the next number. Same message. Same orders. Everyone needed to be at the estate tonight. No exceptions.
This was going to be perfect. A public execution in front of my entire organization. A show of power. A reminder to everyone of what happens when you betray me.
Caitlyn thought she could destroy me. Thought she could work with the police and walk away. She was wrong. And tonight everyone would see exactly how wrong she was.
I called Dimitri next. He answered on the first ring.
"I heard you are calling a meeting," Dimitri said. "What is this about?"
"I am dealing with the Caitlyn problem," I said. "Permanently. And I want everyone to see it."
"You are going to kill her in front of the organization?" Dimitri asked. "That is risky Collin. Very risky."
"It is necessary," I said. "People need to see what happens to traitors. Need to understand that I am still in control."
"What about the police?" Dimitri asked. "What about Rourke? He is looking for her."
"Let him look," I said. "By the time he figures out where she is it will be too late. She will be dead and I will be gone."
"Gone where?" Dimitri asked.
"Out of the country," I said. "I have everything arranged. New identity. New life. I am leaving tomorrow morning."
"And the organization?" Dimitri asked. "Who is going to run things?"
"You are," I said. "I am putting you in charge. You have been loyal. You deserve it."
"I do not know if I want it," Dimitri said. "Not like this."
"You do not have a choice," I said. "Someone has to run things and you are the best option. Take it or leave it."
Dimitri was quiet for a moment. "Fine. I will take it. But this is a mistake Collin. Killing her publicly. It is too risky."
"I have made my decision," I said. "Be here at nine. That is an order."
I hung up before he could argue more. Then I started making more calls. Not just to my organization. To other people too. Corrupt cops who were on my payroll. Judges who owed me favors. City officials whom I had dirt on.
I wanted them all there. Wanted them all to see what I was capable of. Wanted them to know that even with all the investigations and charges I was still powerful. Still in control. Still dangerous.
"I need you at my estate tonight," I told one of the police captains I owned. "Nine pm. Bring anyone you trust."
"What is this about Hayes?" the captain asked. "I heard there is a warrant out for you."
"The warrant does not matter," I said. "What matters is that you are there tonight. Consider it payment for all the money I have given you over the years."
"Fine," the captain said. "But this better be worth it."
"It will be," I promised.
By the time I finished making calls, it was late afternoon. I had reached everyone I needed to reach. The meeting was set. Everything was arranged.
Now I just needed to prepare Caitlyn. Get her ready for her final performance.
I went upstairs to the bedroom where she was being kept. Unlocked the door and walked in. She was lying on the bed staring at the ceiling. She did not even look at me when I entered.
"Get up," I said. "We need to talk."
She did not move.
"I said get up," I repeated. "Or I will have the guards drag you up."
Slowly she sat up and looked at me. Her eyes were red from crying. Her face was pale. She looked broken. Good.
"I have decided to change the plan," I said. "I am not going to kill you quietly in some remote location. I am going to kill you in front of everyone."
"What do you mean everyone?" Caitlyn asked. Her voice was barely a whisper.
"I mean my entire organization," I said. "Every person who works for me. Every corrupt official who is in my pocket. I am calling a meeting tonight and you are going to be the main event."
"You are going to execute me publicly," Caitlyn said.
"Exactly," I said. "I am going to show everyone what happens to people who betray me. You are going to die and everyone is going to watch."
"Why?" Caitlyn asked. "Why not just kill me quietly? Why make a show of it?"
"Because I need people to remember," I said. "Need them to see that I am still in charge. Still powerful. Still not someone to cross."
"This is insane," Caitlyn said. "You are going to murder me in front of witnesses? They will all testify against you."
"They will not," I said. "Because they are all just as guilty as I am. They all have blood on their hands. They all have secrets. If they talk about what happened tonight they implicate themselves."
"Someone will talk," Caitlyn said. "Someone always talks."
"Maybe," I agreed. "But I will be long gone by then. Out of the country. Beyond their reach."
"You think you can just run away?" Caitlyn asked. "You think you can escape justice?"
"I do not think," I said. "I know. I have been planning this for weeks. Every detail. Every contingency. There is no way this fails."
"What about the baby?" Caitlyn asked. Her hands went to her stomach. "You are going to kill an innocent child in front of all those people?"
"The baby is not innocent," I said. "The baby is Cross's offspring. The baby is a reminder of your betrayal. So yes. The baby dies too."
"You are a monster," Caitlyn said.
"So you keep saying," I replied. "But it does not change anything. Tonight at nine you are going to stand in front of my organization and you are going to die. And there is nothing you can do about it."
"People will stop you," Caitlyn said. "Jason will stop you."
"Cross is dead," I said. "How many times do I have to tell you that?"
"He is not dead," Caitlyn said. "I know he is not dead."
"Believe what you want," I said. "It does not matter. Even if he is alive he is not coming to save you. He does not know where you are. Has no way of finding you in time."
I walked over to the closet and opened it. Inside were several dresses. Expensive ones that I had bought for Caitlyn when we were married.
"You are going to wear one of these tonight," I said. "I want you to look presentable. This is an important event after all."
"I am not wearing anything you give me," Caitlyn said.
"Yes you are," I said. "Because if you do not then I will have the guards dress you. And they will not be gentle about it."
Caitlyn looked at me with hatred in her eyes but she did not argue.
"Good," I said. "Someone will bring you food in a few hours. Eat it. I want you to have strength for tonight. I do not want you passing out before the main event."
"What is the main event?" Caitlyn asked. "How exactly are you going to do
it?"
"You will find out tonight," I said. "I do not want to spoil the surprise."
I left the room and locked the door behind me.