Page 10 of Whispers in the Dark
Alex cocks his head to the side, his fingers curling around the arms of his chair. “Don’t tell me they’re following in their father’s footsteps.”
Vin nods, and anger swirls through me tenfold.
Those motherfuckers.
My family may not play by the rules.
We run an illegal casino, export and import goods to international buyers that some may deem prohibited, and dabble in laundering through businesses that range from restaurants and nightclubs to real estate.
But sex trafficking is where we draw the fucking line.
Leo abruptly stands. “But Mikhail said—”
“Mikhail lied,” Vin states calmly, referring to the eldest Vasiliev brother. “I’ve had one of my men working under cover for them as a guard, and I received the information this morning confirming they’re expecting a shipment to arrive soon.”
“You planted a spy in their realm?” Alex asks, appearing slightly impressed.
“Sometimes, I’m known to have good ideas,” Vin responds.
“Who the fuck do they think they are playing on our territory?” Leo demands.
Vin steeples his fingers before him. “Governor Johnson gave the all clear. Apparently, he thinks he’s above us.”
“That son of a bitch,” Eli murmurs.
“When?” Alex asks, with anger laced in his tone. “When is the shipment expected?”
“That is what we need to find out.” Vin looks between Leo and me. “Any chance you two can make one more run tonight? There’s a man by the name of Johnny O’Connor who frequents the establishment Darkest Desires on the regular. He’s responsible for arranging the shipment.”
I nod, fighting exhaustion.
Leo rubs a hand over his jaw. “Why does that name sound familiar?”
Vin taps his fingers together. “He’s the governor’s assistant.”
“Is anyone in politics not a fucking wanker?” Eli asks.
“Highly unlikely,” Alex answers. “If more women held seats in office, perhaps the world would be a better place.”
A low chorus of agreement rolls through the room, and I grunt in acknowledgment.Truer words have never been spoken.
A notification chimes on Alex’s phone, and he looks down at it. “Keep me informed. I have to go.” He stands, regarding Vin, and as their conversation ensues, their words blurring in the background, my eyes trail over to the bookshelves on the side wall, stopping on a picture of our parents, Charles and Cecilia Alarie.
It’s easy to see which one of us resembles whom.
Leo and I, with our dark hair and brown eyes, appear most like our father. Vin and Madeleine, with their black hair and blue eyes, look most like our mother. And then there’s Alex, a complete contrast to us all with his grey eyes and light brown hair.
Our father was the eldest son of an extremely wealthy family in southern France. My mother, the youngest daughter of the most powerful family in Italy, the Marchettis. After they met while my mother was studying abroad, they created their own happily-ever-after by moving to America and building an empire never seen in the States before.
An uncomfortable tightness binds my chest as I stare at the image of my father, his deep voice echoing around me.
“You’ve disappointed me, Mauro.”
“Earth to Mauro?”
Internally, I shake my head and look to see my brothers watching me with concern etched across their faces.
Leo stands by the doorframe, zipping his jacket. Arching a brow, he says, “You ready?”
