Page 77 of War Within
It was peaceful here. Peace was something that I had never known. I wanted something more. I wanted something and someone who brought me serenity.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Thank you for your help, Celia. I owe you big time.
I had just gotten off the phone with my sister, who aided in making sure Tyler took the bait. He would be arriving on the island in approximately thirty-five hours thanks to a text I sent from Marco’s phone. I ordered him to take the flightMarcohad just booked for him. Now, it was time to sit back and wait.
“I'm sure she was thrilled to be dragged into this.” Leo entered the room, laughing.
“She does what I ask.” Glancing out the window, I thought back to all the times I had asked Celia to seduce men over the years, just for information. “He will be departing in the next two hours.” I finished loading bullets into the magazine of my pistol. “Go set up the bugs and cameras in Marco’s bungalow.”
“You don't want to join me?”
Lifting my hands, I massaged my temples. “No, I need a drink. That’s ayoujob. Meet me at the resort bar when you're done.”
The following day, hours dragged on. I could barely focus on anything more than ridding the world of any threats against my family. Not knowing just how severe the danger was, I relied on my men in five locations, to track the enemy. Marco had connections everywhere. He had spent his time as my son building alliances against our family.
As I was ending a business call with Emilio, Leo came through the door. Waiting patiently for me to finish, he started to activate our surveillance around the resort. The moment I hung up, he leaned in an arch, folding his arms.
“Trisha has arrived.” He jerked his head toward the main entrance.
“Send her in and wait outside.”
Nodding once, he twisted to exit. I waltzed to the middle of the living room, standing on the other side of the glass bottom floor. I wanted her to stand on it, so she felt further vulnerable. Moments later she poked her head through the door, her fingers wrapped around the edge as she peered in.
“Hel…oh hi.” She spotted me. “Mr. Rovati, you wanted to see me?”
I nodded. “Come in and close the door.”
Gently shutting it, she inched closer, cautiously taking small steps. “Is Marco okay?” She stopped exactly where I wanted her to, glancing around at the crystal blue shallow ocean beneath the glass. She tugged on the strings of her yellow bikini bottoms.
“He won't be around any longer.”
Her expression turned sad. “I love him! What the fuck did you d—”
“Watch your fucking tone with me, whore!” It took everything in me not to snatch her by the throat. Instead, I shook my head, lifting a hand to my jaw and stroking my trimmed beard. “He didn't love you and you know it. I bet he made you feel like he cared.”
She nodded, sniffling, tucking her arms tightly into her stomach. “If he was willing to betray his own father in many ways, how could he ever care about a random slut like you?”
“I wasn’t rand—”
“I suggest you not finish that sentence.” Narrowing my gaze, I lit a cigarette, inhaling powerfully. “Tell me something.” I exhaled a smooth cloud of light-grey smoke. “Did he force you to work for him or did you choose to fuck for money.”
She giggled. “I love how big dick feels in…” Pausing, she took a deep breath, choosing not to finish her sentence. “I chose every bit of it. I was an escort when we met. I helped him recruit and brainwash girls the moment they turned eighteen. I never dabbled with the minors.”
My stomach churned at the thought. Marco and Tricia were brainwashing girls who were my own daughter’s age. To think she could have been one of them. Tightening my gaze, I took another pull from my cigarette. “You work for me now. At least until I say you're done. Am I clear?”
She dropped to her knees, reaching for my zipper. “I’ll give you whatever you want. I can only imagine the father is better than the son.”
Immediately, I slapped her hand away. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Giving you what you want, sir.” She peered up at me with the same lust I had seen so many times. The thirst in her eyes was unmistakable.
“Stand up.” I muttered, authoritatively, yanking her to her feet by her arm.
She obeyed, shifting her weight back and forth nervously.
I began to pace before her, smoking. “I want something else from you.”
