No Longer the Outsider

The conversation in the meeting room continued.

Mia swirled her glass, her lips puckered in displeasure.

"Elena, the Brooklyn docks reek of fish guts and the sour sweat of lowlifes. I'd rather have a gallery on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan."

Elena patted the back of Mia's hand.

"Sweetheart, how much does a Fifth Avenue gallery pull in a year? Brooklyn has sixteen berths. Eight million in cash moves through there every month."

"Back when the Irish mob ran the docks, it was Helena who took two bullets for this family to take that territory."

"Now the Irish are all dead, the unions are handled. That place is nothing but clean, endless cash."

Outside the door, my fingertips pressed through my clothes against the jagged scar below my right ribs.

That dock. I'd taken two bullets for it, nearly died in Brooklyn for it.

But in Elena's mouth, the blood I'd waded through, the life I'd almost lost, was brushed aside in one lazy sentence. Nothing but cash for Mia to burn.

Mia pursed her lips.

"Will Helena really agree to hand over the docks? She was reviewing the third-quarter reports just last week."

Julian, who hadn't spoken until now, finally opened his mouth.

"She doesn't need to agree."

His hand slid off Mia's shoulder, gently smoothing the blonde hair scattered down her back.

"I've prepared all the transfer documents. Helena thinks it's just a routine agreement. She already signed the last page yesterday."

"Monday, the beneficial owner of the docks automatically becomes Mia."

Hearing Julian's words, my blood froze solid in my veins.

I'd handled thousands of contracts. No word trap, no hidden clause ever slipped past me.

But last night, Julian brought me a cup of ginseng tea, set a document on my desk, and said softly it was just a standard agreement. He told me to sign it and get some rest.

I hadn't even turned to the second page before I signed my name.

In this family where every step could be your last, I'd guarded against everyone. Everyone except my husband. I gave him my trust, completely, without reservation.

And he used that trust to drive a knife straight into my back.

At the far end of the table, my father-in-law Victor rapped his knuckles on the wood. Everyone fell silent instantly.

Victor looked at Julian.

"Has Helena suspected anything lately?"

Julian bowed his head slightly.

"No, Father. She's still upstairs in the study, going over the ledgers."

"That foolish woman thinks if she just cooks the books a little more, she'll actually secure her place in this family, earn your approval and Mother's."

He paused, then let out a scoff.

"I know her too well. All she sees are columns of numbers. Nothing else."

Elena took a sip of whiskey.

"Helena is capable, I'll give her that. But she doesn't have Cappello blood, and she's not obedient like Mia."

"She's too arrogant. Doesn't understand how this family works. Thinks just because she married Julian, she's the lady of the Cappello house."

"Once she launders the last two overseas accounts into the family trust, her usefulness is done."

Victor stubbed out his cigar.

"Sunday, at the family gathering. We announce Mia takes over the docks."

"Julian, go back up first. Don't leave Helena alone in the study too long."

"Understood, Father."

The sound of leather shoes on carpet moved toward the door.

I turned quickly, retraced my steps, not a single footfall making a sound.

Back in the second-floor study, I added a piece of charcoal to the fireplace, crafting the illusion I'd never left.

A moment later, the study door pushed open. Julian walked in.

He shrugged off his coat, hung it carelessly on the rack.

"The wind's brutal in New Jersey."

He walked up behind me, leaned down, rested his chin on the crown of my head.

"Irish remnants causing trouble at the docks again. I had my men seize two of their shipments. I'm freezing, Helena."

"Is that so?"

I took a sip of coffee, eyes lowered.

"Then I suppose you've had a long day."

Julian reached around, pulled me against his shoulder, his voice tender.

"For the family. For our future. A little hardship is nothing."

"By the way, Sunday's family gathering. Wear the black evening gown."

"Father says there's an important announcement."

I watched his reflection in the coffee cup, my expression perfectly even.

"All right. I'll be there on time."