Chapter 129

Adriano's POV

"Mr. Alfonso, is anything the matter?"

I looked up at the accountant who paused his presentation. I could tell from the sweat marring his forehead that he was nervous. He was a new hire and was still trying to learn the ropes.

So far so good, his presentation was good, but it was so goddamn boring. That was why when I started getting notifications of large transactions on my card, I couldn't help but smile.

I damn near forced, Melanie to accept the card from me and according to, Ralph they had been at the mall for hours and I just began getting transaction notifications.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that my sister had a hand in it. Maybe she wasn't so useless after all.

Melanie was too stubborn to let herself enjoy things that were freely given to her so it was good she had friends who didn't hesitate to push her when she needed it.

So yes, I've been distracted from the presentation, but that was because I was more interested in what my girl was doing than in what was happening in this room.

"Nothing's wrong, you can carry on," I said to the accountant.

The presentation ended soon enough and I dismissed the board.

"You were distracted in there," Nik said, following me into my office.

"I know. Something important came up," I replied.

"I don't know if I like you better now or before you fell in love," he murmured.

I rounded the desk and took my seat while Nik sat down on the seat opposite from mine.

"Now what do you have for me?" I asked, going straight to business.

"Marcus was indeed working for, Alex and probably has been for the longest time, we just didn't notice it and that was why it was easier for us to think he was turned but the truth is, he was never ours in the first place," Nik said.

"How on earth was he with us for so long and we never noticed it?"

"Well, the obvious reason I that the bratva hardly use non-members to do their dirty work," Nik said. "Marcus wasn't Russian which made him the perfect little spy because we wouldn't have suspected him in a million years."

"Thank God you recovered those files before he was able to get to them," I said.

Marcus had stolen what my dad liked to call the Red list. It contained the list of people whom we've tagged as enemies although they didn't start out as so.

If Alex had gotten hold of those files, he would have been able to create a whole arsenal against us, one that we wouldn't have been able to counter, even with Dante's help in Chicago.

"Now all we need to do is find, Alex, then we can nip this problem in thebud once and for all," Nik said.

"What's the update on that?" I asked.

"That's the problem, he's been difficult to find. I've tried some of my contacts and none of them has had anything tangible to tell me," he replied.

"We need to find him fast, I don't want this to keep hanging over my relationship with, Melanie," I said.

Nik frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean," I said.

"It sounds like you're trying to tell me that Alex still has a hold over you and the course of your relationship," Nik said.

"Pushkin doesn't have any power over me," I growled, annoyed that Nik would think of something like that. "Melanie has been worried ever since I got hurt the last time. I just want this to be over and done with so that I can tell Melanie she doesn't have to worry about me. I hate that."

"I'm sorry for making assumptions," Nik said.

"Yeah, you should be," I replied. " So what plans do you have to draw, Alex out?"

"Word I got is that he's very angry at the moment, so he's bound to make a mistake soon and I'll be there to catch him if he does," Nik replied.

A thought that had no business popping in my mind came to me and I just had to ask him about it.

"Do I need to increase security around, Melanie?" I asked.

"I don't think that's necessary but why do you ask?"

"Alex is not above playing dirty to get what he wants and I don't want Melanie being caught in the cross-hairs," I replied.

"You don't have to worry about that, I doubt he knows anything about your personal life," Nik said.

Still, I wasn't convinced so I stared wordlessly at Nik until he gave in.

"Fine, I'll add a bodyguard to her security detail," he grumbled.

"I don't want her to know. She already has, Ralph following her around so tell the bodyguard to be discreet," I said.

"I'll make sure to do that," he said. "I'll also inform, Ralph of the changes."

I sighed in relief. "Thank you, Nik."

"I got you, boss. Anytime," he replied. "Anything else?"

Just as I shook my head, my mother walked in, interrupting us.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. A," Nik greeted.

"Hi, Nik. How're you doing?" she asked.

"I'm good," he replied.

Mom examined him for a while and shook her head. "You've lost a lot of weight and you haven't been coming for our family dinners," she said. "You need to come over on Christmas day."

"I've been a bit busy that's why but you bet I'm not going to miss your famous Christmas dinner," he replied.

"Good, I'll make you a place on the table. Don't miss it."

"I wouldn't dare."

"Mom, Nik has things to do and you're keeping him," I said.

"Hello to you too, prodigal son," she said, turning to me and Nik used that opportunity to sneak out of my office.

"I've been a bit busy, Mom," I said.

"Too busy to even check on your Mom?" she asked.

I sighed. "You're right, Mom. That's no excuse. I apologize," I said.

With my mom, it was always easier to give in than stretch it out.

"Apology accepted," she said.

"Now to what do I owe this visit?" I asked.

"I came to personally confirm your attendance at Christmas dinner," she said.