Page 33 of Dark Alliance
Most of all, I struggled with how much I should reveal to Zeno. Maybe he already sensed it, though. If he hadn’t, then there was a glaring flaw in his security. And what did it say about his operation if someone had managed to infiltrate his network in the first place?
I sensed that Zeno was slipping away, his grip on control weakening. And with that, my confidence in him was waning, slipping through my fingers like grains of sand.
All my life, he’d presented himself as the capable and wise man, never questioning himself or his choices. Perhaps that was his first mistake. Arrogant men were always the first to fall.
Was this Zeno’s time? Was his reign over Vegas ending?
And if that was the case, did I truly want to be involved? Did I want to stay to witness it?
My head was spinning with confusion and unanswered questions, and the wine was doing nothing to help. I decided I hadn’t had enough yet, and just as I stood from my couch to grab another bottle from the kitchen, my phone lit up.
“Oh, Zeno,” I murmured to myself. “There you are.”
I hit the button and answered, my head spinning with intoxication, my stomach fluttering with anxiety.
“Hey,” I answered, hoping my tone masked the nervous flutter in my chest.
“Where are you?” Zeno demanded, cutting straight to the point.
Irritation flickered through me. “At home. Where else would I be?”
“I need to know everything you’ve uncovered about Thalassios Adrias so far.”
The moment he mentioned Thal’s name, my heart gave an involuntary jump.
“I’m still working on that,” I replied, forcing my voice to remain steady, even as a tremor threatened to creep in.
“So, you have nothing new?” His voice edged into suspicion.
“There’s not much to report, but I haven’t been idle, Zeno. I keep following him, though he doesn’t stray far. Only to work and back home. I don't think there's anything else I can tell you.”
He asserted, with a tone of certainty, "You're missing something."
“And why do you say that?”
“Because I believe he’s behind one of my buildings getting blown up.”
“Thal?” I questioned, my brow furrowing. “Why would he do that?”
“Because he’s been deliberately trying to undermine me for years, Daphne.” His voice was edged with frustration and impatience. “Haven’t you been paying attention? That’s exactly why I have you following him.”
“That’s a good point, considering I haven’t made much progress. Maybe I’d be better off somewhere else?”
“No,” he cut me off, his tone final and leaving no room for argument.
As usual, he dismissed me. This wasn’t the first time I'd suggested he give me a better position instead of assigning me trivial tasks that went nowhere. And each time, I received the same answer: no.
I sighed, wondering why I kept trying. I never expected a different outcome. Maybe Thal was right. It was time to do something different.
“I don’t believe Thal was responsible for this, Zeno,” I said, my voice sounding tired even to myself.
“I’m the only reason you’re still breathing, Daphne!” Zeno’s voice cut through the speaker like a jagged blade. “Rhea doesn’t want the brick-and-mortar. She wants the blood debtyour father signed away twenty years ago. I’ve spent a decade acting as your shield, but my patience is wearing thin. Give me something I can use to bury Thalassios, or so help me, I’ll stop standing in Rhea’s way. I’ll let the collectors take what they’re owed, and we both know you won't survive a single night in their hands.”
I stayed silent, resenting the tone he was using with me.
“Why are you defending him anyway?”
“I’m not!” I insisted.
