Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Lev growls. “Are you threatening her?”
Kolya stands silent, looking at Mikhail grimly.
I nod, my resolve firm. “I understand. But believe me, I want Javier destroyed just as much as you do.”
Lev’s grip on my hand eases slightly, a silent show of support. “Then we move forward with her plan,” he declares, looking each of his brothers in the eye. “We hit Javier where it hurts, and we take control of his operations.”
Kolya eyes me, his suspicion still evident but now tempered with contemplation. “If you’re telling the truth, then you’re more valuable than we thought.”
Mikhail’s gaze softens, but his wariness doesn’t entirely dissipate. “Fine. We’ll take this information and act on it. But if this goes south, I agree with Koyla, you will suffer the consequences Lev.”
Lev nods curtly, his protective stance unwavering. “Understood, pakhan. But know this, all of you: Isabella is under my protection. Any threat to her is a threat to me, I will defend her no matter who tries to hurt her.”
Mikhail turns to the screen. “Fine. Tell us more about Javier’s weaknesses. What else is there to exploit?”
Dmitri clears his throat, glancing nervously at me before speaking. “Javier’s organization currently is crumbling from the inside. Morale is at an all-time low. There’s constant dissent and in-fighting among his lieutenants about what parts of the business are more important, particularly between Carlos and Mateo. They’re both vying for greater positions of power in LSD, and that division is something we can use to our advantage.”
I nod, my expression resolute. “Carlos is more interested in expanding the drug operations, while Mateo is all about growing the human trafficking business... he’s also more loyal to Javier but lacks his ruthlessness. If we can turn Carlos against Mateo, it would wreak chaos within Javier’s ranks.”
Aleks strokes his chin thoughtfully. “A power struggle could work nicely in our favor. But what could we do to ignite a conflict like that?”
“I know how we can do it,” I say firmly. “There’s a shipment coming next week. If we intercept it, I can help you make it look like an inside job. Carlos will blame Mateo, and vice versa.”
Kolya interjects, still cautious. “And what’s your role in all this?”
“I’ll help coordinate the attack and ensure that the right evidence points to Carlos,” I explain. “I have the skills and the knowledge to circumvent their security. As I said before, I want Javier’s downfall as much as you do.”
Lev looks around the room, his brothers’ expressions a mix of skepticism and reluctant agreement. “Trust her. I do.”
As they prepare to leave the room, Aleks approaches Lev, his voice low. “I hope you know what you’re doing, little brother. Our family’s future depends on it.”
Lev meets his gaze, determination blazing in his eyes. “I know exactly what I’m doing. And I believe in Isabella. She’s proven herself to me.”
The room begins to empty, but Kolya lingers, casting one last glance at me. “We’ll see if your loyalty is true. Don’t give us any reason to doubt you.”
I stand tall, my chin raised defiantly. “I won’t.”
With the tension still hanging in the air, Lev and I are left alone in the room. He pulls me into his arms, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “You did great. They’ll come around.”
I lean into him, my heart racing from the confrontation. “I hope so. We have to take down Javier. Not just for us, but for everyone he’s hurt.”
Lev nods, his expression fierce. “We will. Together.”
I look up at him, feeling both determined and vulnerable. “We must succeed, Lev. It’s not just about us. It’s about all the lives Javier has destroyed and will destroy if we don’t.”
He nods, understanding the weight of my words. “We will succeed. Together.”
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the days ahead. The battle has begun.
There is no turning back now.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Lev
"Stand straighter!" Isabella snaps. Harper pulls her shoulders back, and Polina does the same. "Hold your core in. You want to make sure you are in control." The early morning sun casts a golden glow over the patio outside my mother's home, where a group of women is gathered, their faces filled with determination and resilience.
"What's going on here?" I ask.
"I told you," Isabella says, standing on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek as I approach her. "These women need self-defense lessons. I’m the perfect girl for the job."
She looks like a Colombian goddess, dressed in skin-tight clothes and her hair twisted elegantly at her neck. She exudes confidence and strength, skills she’s passing on to the women in my family.
"All right, ladies," Isabella says, her voice carrying authority. In front of her stand Polina, dressed in workout clothes—shorts and a tank top—Alexsandr’s Harper, Aria, and, to my surprise, my mother. She looks younger with her hair twisted on the top of her head. I've never seen her in yoga pants and a sweatshirt before.