Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“Yes, congrats. May your child only bring you joy,” Leo says.
“Congrats,” Enzo mutters, not really looking interested in the subject, while he walks ahead of the group to inspect the pillars at the entrance of the facility.
Cassia smiles at Grace, then says, “I hope you have a healthy pregnancy with no morning sickness.”
“So far, I’ve been fortunate,” Grace tells her, then glances at the men. “Thank you for the well-wishes.”
Evinka comes to walk on my right, signing, “I’m going to check on the security building.”
I nod. “Make sure the security cameras cover all areas without any blind spots.”
After she heads in the opposite direction from us, I notice Enzo walking into the construction site.
“What’s the deal with Enzo?” I ask no one in particular.
“From what I’ve gotten to know about him, he’s a lone wolf. I’m actually surprised he joined the alliance,” Leo answers. “Almost as surprised as when you called for an alliance to be formed.”
Being a hermit, I can understand that.
Our attention turns to the construction site, and while we inspect every nook and cranny, we discuss where something has to be changed or added.
The entrance hall will have a lot of light streaming in via floor-to-ceiling windows.
I take a few extra minutes to look at the East Asian architecture that will be able to handle strong winds on the island.
“So this will be our new sanctuary?” Grace asks.
“Yes. Once it’s completed it will have a serene feel to it.”
“Which I’ll disturb with parties,” Santiago chuckles.
“God help us,” Leo mutters, a smile tugging at his mouth. “Let’s see what the security building looks like.”
We head down the path and find Evinka giving orders via Alan, who’s translating for her.
“The wall needs to be three meters high,” Alan tells the site manager. “It’s going to be covered in monitors, so make sure it can take a lot of weight.”
Watching Evinka give one order after the other via sign language, my worry eases, knowing she’ll have the island up and running in no time.
“That’s one hell of a second-in-charge you have there,” Cassia mentions.
I nod. “I’m very lucky to have Evinka.”
As we stare at the area where the boardroom will be, I say, “We’ll get a round table.”
“Don’t you think it would be awesome to have chairs like the ones in Game of Thrones?” Santiago asks. “But instead of swords, the backrest can be made of machine guns.”
“Jebat,” I mutter while shaking my head. “No, definitely not.”
He gives me a look that says he doesn’t care what I say, he’s going to have the fucking chairs made.
When we all head back to the beach so we can enjoy refreshments, Enzo joins us again.
I wait for everyone to sit down, then ask, “Any sign of the bratva?”
They all shake their heads, then Leo says, “They’ve pulled out of Italy.”
“Greece, too,” Cassia adds.
“For the time being,” Enzo mutters. “They always come back.”
True.
“We’ll deal with them one war at a time because there’s no getting rid of the entire bratva,” Santiago says.
Turning my attention to Grace, I ask, “Do you want something to eat?”
She shakes her head. “I’m still fine after the huge lunch we had on the yacht.”
I lean in and press a kiss to her temple. “We’ll leave soon.”
“You’re doing much better being among people,” she mentions softly.
“It’s because I had a long break.” The corner of my mouth lifts. “And I have you at my side.”
Chapter 30
DOMINIK
(Three months later…)
As the speedboat approaches the tunnel, there’s a sense of pride as I stare up at the alliance’s insignia above the entrance.
The initials V, C, D, T, and O are carved onto a tarot card-themed design. There are two guns at the top, two knives at the bottom, and a rose with a snake curling around the stem in the middle.
It’s not exactly my taste, but it’s what Santiago wanted.
Alan steers us into the tunnel and finds a spot near the stairs where he docks.
“I’m excited to see the final result,” Grace says. “So much work has gone into the sanctuary.”
I get off the boat first, then carefully help my pregnant wife onto solid land.
Not wanting Grace out in the heat for a second longer than necessary, I say, “Let’s get you into the building so you can cool down.”
“I’m fine,” she chuckles while mindlessly rubbing her hand over her beautiful baby bump.
When we reach the top of the stairs, Evinka signs, “I’m going to check the surveillance setup.”
I nod, and while she and Alan head toward the security building, I guide Grace to the fortress, which she likes to call the sanctuary.
The builders managed to keep most of the trees and only removed the ones that were absolutely necessary. There are paths leading to all the main sections, and golf carts and quad bikes for when anyone has to travel to the other side of the island where we’ve built accomodation for our soldiers and staff.