Back at work, I have a shit ton of work to catch up on. I’m checking a shipment of Heckler & Koch P30L handguns and Heckler & Koch MP5K submachine guns that came in from Luca. All the weapons are hidden in aircon units.
“That’s everything, right?” I ask Andreas when we’re done working our way through the shipment.
“Yeah.”
“Have the men take the aircon units to a scrapyard. They can keep the money they make off the metal.”
“Will do.” Andreas walks over to the men, already waiting for further instructions.
Taking my phone out of my pocket, I dial Luca’s number as I head back into the building.
“I trust everything is in order?” he answers.
“Yes. Thank you.” I stop by an elevator. “I know it’s short notice, but can you put an order of incendiary grenades together for me?”
“When do you need it, and how many?”
“As many as you can get your hands on, as soon as possible,” I state, pressing the button for the elevator.
Luca lets out a chuckle. “Viktor says he’s joining in the fun. When will the attack go down?”
“Probably next week.” The doors ping open, but unable to end the call, I let them slide shut again.
“Manno’s fucked with both you and Liam. We’ll all be there to back you. Give us the exact date and time.”
“I’ll let you know before the end of the day.”
“Good. I’ll have the shipment leave first thing tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” When I joined the Priesthood, it was to keep the peace, but with the other men backing me in this war, it’s solidifying the bond between us.
Manno’s as good as dead.
As I end the call, it’s to see Grant standing to my left. Frowning at him, I ask, “Why aren’t you guarding Tess?”
With a thumb over his shoulder, he gestures to the entrance. “She’s here.”
My eyebrow lifts, and just then, Tess walks into the building with James next to her and the other guards flanking her.
Today she’s wearing her usual jeans and t-shirt, looking like a carefree student again.
It’s been a week since I killed Irene, and instead of crumbling, Tess has dealt with what happened like a true queen.
My eyes flick to Grant. “Then you should be by her fucking side.” I’m going to fire his ass, and by fire, I mean kill.
I walk toward Tess, who grins at me. She holds up a container. “I’m on my way to school and thought I’d bring you lunch.”
A smile spreads across my face, and when she’s in reaching distance, I take hold of her hip and tug her against me. Lowering my head, I press a kiss to her lips, then tease her, “Yeah? Look at you being the perfect wife.”
Her gaze turns seductive, making my cock twitch. “My man needs his strength…” she winks at me, “for later.”
I let out a chuckle as I take the container from her. “What do you have planned for later?”
Tess tugs her bottom lip between her teeth, her eyes filling with desire, and fuck if I don’t harden at the speed of light. “You’ll see. Don’t keep me waiting in bed.” Then the temptress turns around and gives me a mouthwatering view of her sexy ass as she walks out of the building.
“Christ, she’ll be the end of me,” I mutter as I turn to head back to the elevators. Noticing Grant hanging around like a fucking fly, I bark, “Why the fuck are you still here?”
He darts away, running after Tess.
“Who are you yelling at?” Andreas asks, giving me a curious look.
“Fucking Grant. Put someone else in his place. The fucker will get Tess killed.”
“On it.”
Finally, I get to head up to my office. It’s on the top floor with a scenic view of the city. I had it decorated, much the same as the penthouse, all chrome and dark gray furnishings.
I take a seat at my desk, and setting the container down, I peel the lid off. Andreas leans over the desk, way too eager to see what I’m having for lunch, then he tilts his head, laughter threatening to explode from him. “Is that…?”
“Fuck off,” I mutter, quickly closing the lid over the container. “Go do your work.”
I wait for my friend to leave my office, his chuckling making me smile, before I open the container again.
Looking down at the little note tucked in between two sandwiches that have been cut in circles and a banana forming a smiley face, I shake my head.
Cute.
I take the note out and fold it open.
I’m falling in love with you.
Please don’t break my heart.
xxx
Tess.
The smile drops from my face, my heartbeat erupting in a happy thumping against my ribs.
Christ, finally!
Unadulterated elation washes through me, making me feel fucking emotional.
I read the words over and over until every swirl and curve of her handwriting is imprinted in my mind.
Never have words meant more to me than these.
Tess is falling in love with me. Finally.
Grinning like an idiot who just won the jackpot, I pick up one of the sandwiches and bite into it. The bread is fresh, the ham and cheese a perfect blend to hit the empty spot in my stomach.
Fuck, I can get used to this.
Pulling my phone out, I dial my wife’s number.
“Hi,” her bubbly voice comes over the line. “Enjoying your lunch?”
“I am,” I swallow, then look at the note again. “I read your note.”
“And?” I hear endless laughter in the single word, and it warms my chest.
“I want to hear you say it,” I demand.
There’s a moment where Tess remains silent, and it makes me start to worry.
“I’m falling in love with you, Nikolas.” I hear her emotions for me trembling in her voice. “Please don’t break my heart.”
“I won’t,” I vow. “I’ll never break the one thing that means the most to me.”
“Wow, this is getting really emotional,” Tess mutters. I hear her sniff. “Just got to school. I need to go in, or I’ll be late.”
“Say it again,” I order before I’ll let her go.
“I’m in love with you, Nikolas,” she obeys.
I groan, hating that she’s on the other side of the city. “It’s so fucking good to finally hear those words.”
“Zoí mou, I need to go,” she reminds me.
My life.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to order her to skip class and meet me at home, but knowing she needs to work on her project, I reluctantly say, “Be safe. I’ll see you at home.”
“Bye.”
The call ends, and I slump back in my chair, not at all in the mood to work.
Andreas walks into my office, and not wanting him to get his hands on the rest of my lunch, I close the container and place it in my drawer.
“Where do you want me to put Grant?”
“Have him stationed with Elias and Craig. They’ll get him back in line.”
The fucker was growing too comfortable in his position as Tess’ guard, and I can’t have that.
With that taken care of, I turn my attention to my emails. “When do you think would be best to attack?” I ask Andreas before he can leave.
He takes a seat across from me. “A Sunday. People see it as a day of peace and rest. I think we’ll catch them off guard.”
Impressed by my friend, I nod. “We’re attacking next Sunday.”
