25. Brie

CHAPTER 25

Brie

Frank told me to meet him at the conference room, and Nik’s presence behind me feels like a burning against my skin, but I refuse to look back at her. I can’t. Not right now. Not when every glance threatens to destroy the composure I’m fighting so hard to maintain.

The casino’s usual buzz feels distant, muffled by my loud thoughts. A pair of dealers nod respectfully as we pass, their eyes lingering a moment too long. Word travels fast in this place—everyone knows something big is about to go down. The thought makes me lift my chin higher, straighten my spine.

Time to be Breezy Colombo, widow of the old Don and new claimant to the Family. Not some soft woman whose heart is breaking in two. Survival means wearing whatever face the moment demands. Right now, it demands titanium, and I need to harden the hell up.

I sweep into the conference room, shoving the doors wide on purpose. Larry, Vince, and Frank snap to attention.

“What’s the emergency, gentlemen?” I keep my voice light, as if we’re discussing drink orders. My fingertips brush against the polished mahogany table as I approach. “Larry,” I say softly. “You’re in my seat.”

Larry scowls at me from the head of the table. “The hell I am.”

I let a faint smirk show. “Okay, Larry. You sit there, then…if it helps you feel more secure.” As for me, I half-perch on the table, one buttcheek only, arms crossed and eyebrow raised, with an unmistakable “this won’t take long, anyway” attitude.

Larry doesn’t waste time with pleasantries. He plants his thick hands on the table as he stands, leaning forward, the fabric of his ill-fitting suit straining across his shoulders. The lights gleam on his shiny forehead. “I want to be named head of the Family. Now. We can’t keep letting a woman play at being boss while real business waits around. We got that Novak Consortium contract to sign, after all.”

“Oh, I’ve dealt with that,” I say casually. “Eva was delighted to do business with me. So if that’s your worry, Larry, you can put it out of your pretty little head.”

“You what? ” he bellows, loud enough that Frank jumps a little in his seat, but the glare he turns on Larry speaks of exasperation rather than fear.

“Hold on a minute.” Vince’s smooth voice rises up next. He remains seated, one hand toying with the Rolex on his opposite wrist. “You know, you’re not the only one who wants the job, Larry. Some of us actually know how to run a business, not just break kneecaps.”

Larry’s face darkens. “What did you just say to me, you piece of?—”

“Gentlemen.” I let the word fall sharply, and it silences them both. “While you both think you’re qualified for the position, I’d like to point out that I was the one that Frank asked to act as a figurehead after the Don’s murder. And I was also the one in the late Don’s confidence.” My gaze slides between them, taking in Larry’s barely contained rage and Vince’s studied composure. “And I wonder if you really have any idea what Terry told me about each of you.”

Larry’s face flushes red. “You’re making up stories. Terry would never talk to some woman?—”

“I wasn’t just ‘some woman,’ Larry. I was his wife .”

“In name only,” Larry spits, and Frank gives a heavy sigh.

“Look, there’s no point going over all that again,” he says. “Terry was who he was, and you were never dumb enough to raise it with him while he was alive, Larry.”

So they did all know about Holden and Terry, just as Eva Novak said. I lean back a little on the table so that my shirt strains across my chest, and cross my legs slowly, letting the movement draw their eyes. Power comes in many forms, after all, and I’ve learned to use every weapon in my arsenal.

“If you want a witness,” I say, “Big Joe heard the same stories. So would you like me to share them now? Or should we wait until he can confirm the details?” I tap one heel against the floor. “Oh, but I forgot. We can’t ask Big Joe because he’s rotting inside, thanks to you two forgetting about him in your scramble for power.”

Larry’s flush deepens to purple, while Vince’s composure fractures just enough to show the uncertainty beneath. His fingers stop fidgeting at his watch.

“Neither of you trusts the other,” I continue, “and frankly, I don’t trust either of you. Not while Terry’s killer is still out there.” I let my gaze linger meaningfully on each of them. “Who knows? Maybe one of you knows more about that night than you’re letting on. Maybe that’s why you’re both so eager to grab power before my investigation concludes.”

Larry’s chair shoots back and teeters before falling to the floor as he stands abruptly. “This is bullshit.” He jabs a finger in my direction. “You think you can come in here with your insinuations and your pet killer—” He jerks his chin toward Nik “—and tell us how to run this Family? Terry might have enjoyed spinning tales to you, but the rest of us know what you really are.”

“Careful, Larry.” My voice drops to a whisper. “My pet killer, as you call her, is listening. Or have you forgotten what happened to you last time you disrespected me? She’ll be happy to throw you down and twist your arm again if you need the reminder.”

Without another word, Larry storms out, sending a furious sneer at Nik while he does. The door slams hard enough to echo.

I turn to Vince, who’s been watching Larry’s exit with those cunning eyes of his. “I thought we had a deal?” I say coolly.

His answering grin is all shark, white teeth flashing in his tanned face. “Nothing personal, Breezy. You know I’ve always wanted the top job.” He rises, straightening his tie. “I’ll fall in line if you land it fair and square, but until then, may the best man—or woman—win.”

He walks up to me and offers me a hand. I look at it, look at him, and then I shake it. “I will hold you to that, Sabatelli. Don’t think I won’t.”

He gives me a wink and then heads for the door. And after Vince leaves the conference room, Frank slumps in his chair, looking tired and fed up. “Well, I guess you kept them at bay another night. But it won’t be much longer before Larry just kills Vince, and then me, and then you.”

“He’s not going to kill Brie.” For the first time, Nik speaks, and despite the fact that things are rocky between us right now, something inside me responds instinctively to her confident promise.

Frank glances her way. “Maybe. But if he marshals his troops, he’ll still take the Family for himself. How’s that investigation going?”

“We need to find that will, Frank.” I take a seat next to him. “It’s the key to everything.”

He nods slowly, worry lines deepening around his eyes. “If it still exists. The killer probably destroyed it.”

“I don’t think so. I think the killer is just as desperate to get hold of that will as I am. I’m pretty sure that’s what they were looking for in my suite upstairs. And it might even be why Sophie’s in the hospital right now, if they think she knew what was in it.”

Frank looks at me in surprise. “Why’s that? She never saw the contents.”

“Who’s to say the killer really believes that? And Frank, if they want to get rid of anyone who either saw or benefited from that will, then you need to take care of yourself, too. Promise me you’ll watch your back.”

He chuckles. “I’m not that easy to kill, Breezy. I look all classy these days, but I came up through the same streets as Terry. But thanks for the warning.” He runs a hand over his face. “Listen, Holden’s been in the security room night and day, going through that footage again and again. He’s getting…strange. Barely eating, talking to himself, jumpy anytime someone goes near. Maybe you should check on him.”

I study Frank’s concerned expression, something not quite adding up. “Why so worried about Holden now? You weren’t concerned when he was getting death threats slipped under his door.”

Frank’s bushy eyebrows draw together. “What are you talking about?”

“Death threats. Notes pushed right under his suite door.” I lean forward slightly.

“By who? What are you saying? Listen, Breezy, if that kid had come to me with death threats, I’d have put our best men on it immediately.” His voice grows passionate, almost protective. “For Terry’s sake, if nothing else. Terry loved him something fierce.”

“So… everyone knew? About Terry and Holden?”

Frank’s expression softens. “Course we all knew. Terry wasn’t exactly subtle about it, the way he looked at that boy…” He shakes his head. “Reminded me of how I used to look at my Catherine, God rest her soul. And if I knew anyone threatened Holden, they woulda had me to answer to.” He looks at me, anger crossing his face. “Anyone been saying different?”

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” I say carefully. “There must have been some crossed wires somewhere along the way.”

“I’ll send some of my own guys to shadow him?—”

“No,” I cut in quickly. “Let me talk to him first. See what’s really going on.”

“Alright. If you’re sure.” He pushes to his feet with a heavy grunt and looks at Nik. “You make sure you watch out for Breezy. This Family can’t take another murder.” The door closes softly behind him, leaving me alone with my confused thoughts…

And Nik.

I can sense Nik shifting a little, about to speak. I hold up my hand, stopping her words before they can start.

“Not now. Please.” My voice comes out tired, stripped of its earlier authority. “We need to check in with Holden. The personal stuff between us…” I swallow hard on the words I can’t say: I trusted you. I let you in . “It has to come second right now.”

Nik just gives a curt nod.

We exit the room and start on our way to the security section in silence. But as much as I don’t want to think about Nik right now, I can’t think of anything else. Because for the first time since I’ve known her, Nik has made me feel unsafe .

Not physically—never that. But emotionally? I just don’t know anymore. I can understand her dinner with Eva, spilling information. It was only what I expected, after all; had planned to use myself if necessary, to spread misinformation.

And yet it hurt to hear about it.

Eva’s words echo in my head: Don’t let love make a fool of you .

I’ve survived this long by keeping my guard up, by making safety my priority. Love was always just another weapon that could be used against me. And right now, I can’t afford to bleed.

No. Right now, I need to find Holden. Frank has me worried with his talk of Holden’s strange behavior, although I wonder if there’s one particular reason for it.

What if Holden is finally onto something with that security footage?