Page 82 of Influence

Half-embarrassed, Laya muttered, “This is so awkward. Anyway, Niko, share your brilliant plan so we can finally stop discussing our sex lives.”

I kissed her cheek and said, “As you wish, dear wife.”

The room filled with low, knowing chuckles, and a surge of happiness rushed through me. Yes, we were plotting hostile takeovers of entrenched mafia territories, and the weight of our mission hung heavily in the air. But at that moment, the teasing banter, sly smiles, and casual camaraderie created a sense of belonging—a family bond I hadn’t felt since my parents and Cora.

In just a few weeks, we had grown so comfortable with one another that it felt like a cherished secret.

Then, I laid out my proposal with urgency and hope. “We need to stay ahead by being proactive. If we can accelerate the process, our influence will spread more quickly. I have a wide network. My cousins eagerly stir up some carefully orchestrated chaos in those rival territories. Their kind of trouble can be devastating.”

“Can you break that down for me?” Cali’s eyes sparkled as she raised an eyebrow. “All this roundabout talk is making my head spin! So, who exactly are we planning to take out this time?”

Laughter rippled through the room at her bluntness.

“You know me too well,” I said with a grin. “I’m not referring to playing executioner. Instead, if my cousins disrupt our enemy’s supply lines, their entire operation unravels. Their cash flow diminishes, leaving them confused and cornered. Once a few key players falter, the rest will see the writing on the wall.”

Cali’s eyes narrowed. “So you’re planning to undermine their drug shipments and essentially cut off their illegal revenue?”

“Exactly,” I agreed. “Not just drugs, but anything they trade illegally. Things they’re too scared or too corrupt to report. And believe me, when you start digging, you’ll be amazed at how much is off the books.”

Avra stepped in. “We’ve left no stone unturned. Vik and I thoroughly checked every syndicate operation before we returned. No shady corner was overlooked.”

I appreciated her thoroughness. “I expected nothing less from you. Your reputation for leaving nothing to chance is well-deserved.”

She thought for a moment and added, “That means I’m fully behind your plan. Please let me know if you need any extra support in the future.”

“Thank you, I’ll certainly keep that in mind,” I responded, meeting her steady gaze.

She grinned again, and for a moment, it felt like time stood still as she remarked, “Thank you, Niko. I truly believe the Vitalis, Xenos, and Galanis families will become unstoppable.”

In that moment, Laya’s radiant smile brightened the dimly lit room, filling every corner with a glow. She reached out and squeezed my hand, her touch sending a jolt of energy through me. I was mesmerized by the depth of emotion in her piercing emerald gaze, a look that made my heart race. This intense connection sparked a familiar awakening of feelings deep within my soul, reminding me of our unspoken bond.

Twenty-Two

LAYANA

The midday sun warmed our faces as Cali and I walked down the bustling sidewalk, our arms casually linked as if nothing could interrupt our easy pace.

We passed the main shopping center, where a stream of colorful shoppers flowed in and out of glass-fronted stores, their laughter and lively chatter blending with the distant sounds of street musicians.

Every step brought a fresh sense of delight—a freedom born from wandering without the worry of prying eyes or whispered judgments.

This uncomplicated pleasure and unburdened walk felt like reclaiming a piece of my soul. It reminded me of the thrill I experienced earlier while handling my weapon—a quieter yet equally authentic expression of who I was. I was a Vitalis, and that truth shone as brightly as the golden light showering us.

Looking at Cali, I noticed how much the overall energy around her had changed. The timid spark from her past had been replaced by a determined glimmer and a wisdom earnedthrough hardship. While the memories of her former self still lingered in her gaze, each day she grew a little stronger, a little more defined. I knew that if danger ever set her nerves on edge again, the vengeance she’d unleash on her enemies would be formidable, and I planned to stand by her side without hesitation.

For now, the joy of simply drifting between the shops filled me with contentment. Cali’s genuine smile illuminated my heart more than any sunbeam ever could. Around us, our security detail moved with practiced efficiency. They meticulously scanned every passerby in a silent, coordinated dance. Down the street, I envisioned Niko unwinding in his favorite barbershop, the crisp clatter of scissors providing him a rare moment of calm in his relentless schedule.

Yet amid the brightness of our day, a subtle tension nagged at the back of my mind. Like a dark cloud that refused to dissipate, the threat posed by our enemies lingered even in our brightest moments. Only within the secure walls of the estate did we truly feel at ease. Even then, we were always ready to act in case a breach occurred.

We were always prepared for anything.

This was why I couldn’t help but grumble as Cali and I left a charming ice cream shop.

“Does he think his team is better than ours?” I murmured while trying to balance towering, intricately swirled kaimaki ice cream cones and not scowl at Niko’s extra security team lingering among the Vitalis men. “As if I wouldn’t notice the Galanis men hanging around.”

“I spotted them hours ago but kept quiet, knowing it would annoy you.” Cali grinned. “Niko’s just overprotective, Laya. You might as well get used to it. I don’t see that changing anytime soon. God, imagine if you had children! Those poor kidswouldn’t be able to breathe without Niko hooking them up to an oxygen tank to make sure they have enough.”

I shook my head. “That’s absurd.”

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