Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Armani

The low buzz of my phone pulled my attention away from the reports scattered across my desk.

Lev: The flowers have been delivered.

A slow smile tugged at my lips.

Right on time.

I slipped my phone into my pocket, grabbed my car keys, and headed for the garage.

The drive to Drisana’s neighborhood was quiet. I parked several houses away, far enough that no one would associate the black sedan with her property but close enough to keep the front entrance in view. The porch light was still off.

She wasn’t home yet. I settled deeper into the driver’s seat, my gaze fixed on the house. Minutes later, a pair of headlights turned onto the street.

There you are.

Her car rolled into the driveway, and the garage door lifted. Seconds later, the vehicle disappeared inside before the door slid shut behind it. I waited.

I reached for my burner phone. My fingers hovered over the screen for a moment before a smile crept across my face.

Time to introduce myself.

Armani: Like the flowers? I chose your favorite.

I leaned back against the headrest. Part of me wished I could see her expression. Anything that meant she was thinking about me. My phone vibrated almost immediately.

Drisana: Who the hell is this? How did you get my number?

Another message arrived before I could answer.

Drisana: If this is Carter, I swear to God I’ll fucking kill you myself—

A quiet chuckle escaped me. Even cornered, her first instinct was to fight.

Armani: One question at a time, Sweetheart. And no, this isn’t Carter. Think of me as an ally. I sent the flowers to cheer you up.

The typing bubble appeared… Disappeared… Appeared again. She was deleting her replies.

Interesting.

Drisana: Answer the fucking questions. Who are you? Who sent you?

Armani: I’ve already answered that. No one sent me.

Armani: And you don’t deserve the way your father chose that worthless piece of shit over you.

Silence.

She’d stopped replying.

Armani: I have a bigger gift for you. Sweet Dreams, Drisana.

I stared at the screen for another moment, resisting the urge to send one more message. I locked the burner phone and slipped it back into my pocket. Whether she was furious or frightened didn’t matter. Either way, I’d accomplished exactly what I’d set out to do.

My private line buzzed.

“Enzo just pulled up to the gate,” one of my guards said.

“I’m on my way.”

I started the engine and pulled away from the curb, leaving her street behind. By the time I reached the mansion, Jax and Lev were already waiting in my study.

“Report,” I said, shrugging out of my coat.

Jax stepped forward first, “The shipment went smooth. We took out two of the Russian crew who tried to intercept. Left their bodies as a message. No loose ends.”

Lev added, “The product is secured. Your cut is already in the account.”

I nodded, genuinely impressed. “Good work. Clean and quiet. That’s how I like it.”

They both straightened a little. They knew praise from me was rare.

“Enzo is waiting in the sitting room,” Jax said.

I poured myself a glass of whiskey and headed downstairs. Enzo stood by the large window, looking out over the city lights. He turned when I entered, a calculated smile on his face.

“Armani. Good to see you, son.”

We exchanged the usual pleasantries, a brief hug, and a clap on the back. He always played the part of the proud father in public.

“I was in the area for business,” he said smoothly. “Thought I’d drop by and check on my son.”

“Of course.” I poured him a glass of whiskey and handed it over.

We sat. I knew he had no real business on the South Side. Not any he hadn’t already told me about. The only reason Enzo came down here was because of me.

He took a sip, then leaned back. “How is the Varma situation progressing?”

I kept my face neutral. “Moving forward. I have eyes on the daughter. She’s starting to crack.”

Enzo smiled. "I heard she tried to end the engagement this morning. Is it true?"

My grip tightened around the glass. Fuck. Someone had gotten to him before I did. I'd planned on keeping it from him.

"Yes." I set the glass down. "My men brought in the updates. The girl’s finally showing some spine. Don’t worry. I’ll handle the rest."

"That bad, huh?" Enzo's smile widened. “You see, this is why I made you Underboss because I know you don’t fail. And you know I don’t tolerate failure. You did well. Keep pushing.”

I gave him the intel he wanted, names, routes, and weaknesses of a few rivals. He looked pleased.

“Let’s have dinner sometime, son.” He patted my back.

When he finally left, I walked back toward my study, mind already returning to the hidden room. My phone buzzed. A new message from Drisana.

Drisana: If you’re really on my side, prove it.

I stopped in the hallway, staring at the screen. A slow, dark smile spread across my face.

“Careful what you wish for,” I whispered.