Chapter Five
Alex
Amos tails after me to the door. When I spin around to face him, he holds his ground, holding out his palms in a seemingly peaceful gesture while wearing a phony grin. “Don’t you remember the last time you went sailing?”
“Yeah, well, I’m prepared this time.”
“You shouldn’t go without security. It isn’t smart.”
I roll my eyes while grabbing my keys out of my purse. “I’m not that concerned about it. I’ll be at Thasos in broad fucking daylight.”
“Anything can happen in broad daylight, kid.”
“Is that a threat?”
He puffs up with annoyance while taking a step forward. “I don’t need to do shit to threaten you, Alexandra. You already have threats pouring in from all angles.”
“Sounds like a threat to me.” I pause at the door, turning to nod toward one of the security guards posted in the foyer. “Make sure Amos doesn’t get back into the house while I’m gone, understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Amos doesn’t fight, but I can tell by the look on his face he’s not pleased with how things are going for him here. And I plan to make sure that he continues to hate it for every second he decides it’s worth sticking around.
The drive to Thasos gave me time to think over my strategy. Without security tailing me, I can meet with Paulina and discuss things with her without worrying about anything getting reported back to Amos. Sure, I hold the strings here and have control over most of the financial accounts, but this is Mob business.
Amos probably has his own funding stashed away somewhere. It’s what I would do if I were in his position. And thank the fucking gods I’m not in his position.
After parking at Thasos and sliding on my sunglasses, I wander down the pier toward a rather flashy yacht that could only belong to the lawyer wife of a Mob boss. Security allows me passage when they recognize me and I step onto the main deck, polished wood leading me toward a miniature breakfast nook set up at the ship’s bow.
Paulina raises a mimosa while tilting her head toward the sun, her white ensemble sparkling like the morning star. “Alexandra! How kind of you to join me today.”
“Paulina,” I greet blandly while taking a seat across from her. I straighten my back while crossing one leg over the other. “I’m glad you could meet me to discuss the wedding contract.”
A small smirk quirks my lips. I’m prepared to tell her to fuck off with the utmost disrespect, the phrase already dancing on my lips as she sips her mimosa and leans forward.
She hums and replies, “Yes, about that—you’ve ceased to be significant to us without your parents.”
I blanch. “Excuse me?”
“I’m sure you understand English, dear. Don’t tell me all those expensive tutoring lessons from your darling father have gone to waste. Lord knows, you needed so much help as a child with comprehension.”
“I beg your fucking pardon.”
She chortles and shrugs. “Granted, you really don’t know many of your father’s secrets, do you? So much for you to learn…eventually, I guess.”
Infuriated by her gall, I twist my purse in my hands under the table, trying to hide my disappointment. I wanted to be the one to tell this bitch off, not the other way around. How the hell is she beating me to the punch?
I have the notebook, I reflect with confidence. She doesn’t know I have that little bomb in my arsenal.
A smug smile crosses Paulina’s lips when she realizes my stunned silence. She lifts her mimosa and extends it. “Want one?”
“No.”
“A shame. These things are so good after receiving bad news.”
I roll my eyes, my sunglasses hiding my reaction. “So, if I won’t marry Parker, will it be Tabitha? She’s been hounding him and your fortune for so long. Sort of pathetic if you ask me.”
“That hussy isn’t getting anywhere near my darling boy,” she snaps while lifting a cloth napkin and waving it at a waiter. “We have a much better prospect lined up.”