Page 55 of The Lieutenant

Grow up, girl. Get your backbone in gear.

“It’s meant to be more personal,” I insisted in my defense. “A different piece to bring something fresh to readers.”

“It’s fresh alright. Weren’t you the one who told me every article had to be gritty and in your face? Isn’t that how you asked me to present the series to the networks?”

“Yes. Okay. Fine.” I noticed a man’s face appearing on television I recognized, the one who’d recently gone on the air presenting the Nomikos family as a criminal organization that should be stopped. Theo. “But the people running the organizations are people too. They have families and share dreams and holidays. They’re close and love each other.”

I walked closer to the television, turning up the volume just enough I could hear what was being said. I was surprised the man was speaking English instead of Greek. He’d wanted to present the piece to a larger audience.

“O-kay. Do you remember the last piece you wrote? The one where you ended the article by saying the organization was merciless and bloodthirsty?”

Another slight cringe rolled through my system.

“I understand.”

“Do you? Is something going on you should be telling me about?” he demanded. “I’ll take that back. You’re a big girl and I don’t think I need to remind you that this is all you’ve talked about doing for years. I get why. I really do.”

“Do you?”

“Yes, I think I know you better than you know yourself. Your mother was very important to you. Her death altered your entire life. Yeah, I get it. Look, I wasn’t going to share this with you, but Netflix has made an offer. I have a feeling HBO has already heard and could be contacting me as well. It’s possible you’ll be asked to go on camera with the subject matter. There are lots of possibilities. You have big things waiting for you back in the States. However, the package deal was sold as a package. Do you get it?”

I squealed a little inside, but I was also filled with a sense of dread. I had two reasons for wanting this. Jacob hadn’t figured out this was more of a personal endeavor than a professional one. Although I was thrilled at the possibilities of what the future would hold.

“Meaning I need to complete this article and head to Italy.”

“Exactly, although the thought of you meeting with the Sicilians has me even more nervous at this point. However, I’ve been badgering the Italians. They finally agreed to a meeting. I took your suggestion and let them know you were meeting with the Nomikos family. That changed everything. But I don’t mind telling you how dangerous the organization is.”

“They all are.” I pumped my fist in the air. That’s exactly what I was hoping for. By dropping the Nomikos name, I’d made the interviews a competition. At least I was doing something right.

“No, honey. The Sicilians make the Russian Bratva members look like toddlers.”

“Trust me. I’ll be very careful.” They were the only organization in my mind who could provide me with answers. I tried to place at least limited attention to what was happening on the screen. Wait a minute. “Hold on a second. Just wait.” I turned up the volume a little more, pressing my fingers across my mouth almost immediately.

The man was recanting. He was taking back everything he’d said from his earlier broadcast. I was in near shock, trying to make sense of why he’d do something like that.

“What is it?” Jacob pressed seconds later.

“The link you send me with the guy and his television program. I watched that. Scary stuff.”

“That’s what it was meant to do. His name is Theo something.”

“Theo Artino. Out of the blue he’s recanting his entire story. He’s on television saying he was lied to about everything and that the Nomikoses are respected individuals.”

He laughed. “That sounds like the man was threatened. Another reason for me to encourage you to abandon this damn series.”

“I can’t do that.” Not when I was so close to getting some answers. His statement caught me off guard. He was right. There was no other reason that made any sense. My mind drifted off to Havros being the subject of my innermost thoughts. Could hedo something like that? Absolutely he could. The question was would he?

“Earth to Kara. I don’t like what you just told me. You’re already having difficulty writing the piece. I think that’s your instinct telling you that you’re in danger.”

“Havros isn’t going to hurt me.”

“You’re so certain of that?”

I was. Or at least I thought I was. Maybe the good instincts I’d always had before had finally flown the coop. By one hot guy in a sexy suit? God. This just wasn’t like me in the least. It was funny that I’d always considered myself a damaged creature. Since the day my mother had been taken from this earth, I’d become withdrawn, turning to books for comfort, writing in my diary for consolation. I’d never been called beautiful until now.

Havros had said all the right things to get me into bed. Was it about manipulating my article as well?

“I’m positive, Jacob. You worry too much.”

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