Page 44 of Siege of Blood and Betrayal

Ginny is the efficient machine that oversees all.

Brandon Stern follows the money.

And James Tripp is our tech guy who has performed more than a few hacker miracles.

“Explain the shipments arriving from New Orleans again,” I demand, pinching the bridge of my nose. “There’s something I’m missing.”

Ginny’s composed voice filters through the speakers as she starts again. “The shipping containers carry electronics and audio parts that work to strengthen the facade of legitimate business operations. However, glamored within the contents are the latest magical objects to be used, sold, or distributed at your discretion.”

I slump deeper into my leather chair. “Dad and his Voodoo witches.”

“Technically, Madame Cadieux is a practitioner of Hoodoo.”

“Right. Sorry.” There are so many moving parts leading the businesses, the coven, the Fondatori seat of power, each one threatening to slip through my fingers.

I have to get a handle on this. Fast.

“And which of the shell companies do the witch shipments fall under? I’ve forgotten already.”

Brandon chuckles, the sound grating. “Patience, Zane. This will take time.” His arrogance sparks irritation, but I need his expertise, despite his pompous attitude frustrating me.

James clears his throat. “Aveline Industries places the orders for the electronics, and a numbered corporation hides the money trail and ownership of assets of the magical objects. They make it appear as if the shipments and deliveries are coming from and going to legitimate businesses. However, we control each company, allowing us to?—”

I pinch the bridge of my nose as James continues, a headache forming behind my eyes. When the call falls silent, I check back in. “Perfect. Thank you. Is that everything?”

Ginny taps her fingers over her keyboard and a shared screen opens in our video call. Her gaze meets mine, steady and assessing. “Sorry, not yet. Eight months ago, a company building an alternative exchange came to Toronto. If approved, it could interrupt the Vasari monopoly on several fronts.”

I frown, scanning the documents which outline the details. “And is this company run by human competitors or someone from the supernatural world?”

“We thought it was a legitimate human company, but they have been moving through appropriations faster than should be possible.”

“And my father’s plan to counter this was what?”

Ginny folds her hands on her desk in front of her. “He said he would take steps to prevent that from happening.”

My headache intensifies, a sharp pain behind my eyes. For months I’ve been bored and shut out of the business. Now, I’m left scrambling to make up for that oversight. “What steps?”

“I’m sorry, sire. I cannot say.”

Fabulous. “All right. The first thing we need to do is find out who is behind the push for the new exchange. Tripp, I need you to work your magic and find out if they are human and bribing officials or if they’re from the Otherworld and are using magic to power their way through. Once I know that, I’ll decide what to do about it.”

My gaze drifts out the window to where Scottie is laying by the pool. Originally, she was typing, but now she’s just laying there in yoga pants and a T-shirt, glistening in the sun.

Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to be a daywalker right now.

If I were free to go to her, I would stride out there, strip off her clothes and pull her into the pool with me. The water would envelop us in a chill against the heat and when her nipples peaked, I would wrap my arms around her back and lift her so I could puncture the fleshy mounds. My tongue would flick over the gathered tips and?—

“Mr. Vasari?”

I blink and bring my attention back to the monitor.

Shit. It’s a good thing this is a video call because my cock is hard and there would be no hiding it if I were in a boardroom meeting right now.

The Vasari empire has stood for centuries. I will not be the one to topple our dynasty.

“Is there anything else?”

James nods. “Actually, yes. When I did my quarterly sweep of properties and tenants, I noticed one of the Vasari property managers is reporting several concourse units empty when he has, in fact, rented them. I accessed his banking records and he’s been collecting the monthly rent and property fees for himself.”

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