Body Count (BWWM)

Chapter 7

Artemis

I don't know what our lawyer Johnny did but he made some extraordinary shit happen. We were out of that hell whole the next day and for federal inmates. That's unheard of. We were quickly processed and given our items. The prison handled our transportation to the airport to our jet. That's the least they could fucking do, considering the bullshit they put us through the last 3 years.

We pulled up to the tarmac and jumped out the car running to the jet. We needed to get home as soon as possible. I can't go another day knowing my daughter and Gloria were in danger. The pilot ascends quickly and Niko and I are both on the phone talking to either our team or our business partners. 

"They just left boss. We're tailing them now." Krish informs me that Gloria and our daughter are going shopping with her friend.

"Stay on them until we get there! I mean it Krish. I want updates every hour on the hour!" I yell through the phone. I know Krish and Katzon have been holding it down for us since we left. I know he won't let me down on this.

We were in the air for a little over an hour and we feel the plane starting to descend. We both showered on the plane and we're back in our normal attire. Fresh dark suits and jewels.

"Damn it feels good to be home," Nikolai says while staring at the NYC skyline.

"We need to go handle business with Johnny first regarding our place of residency. He said that the city paid all liens on the house. We just have to sign some paperwork to bring it back into our possession." I tell Niko as he nods.

"I want the house to be fully cleaned and furnished properly for Tatiana and Gloria." I say to my brother and he looks at me with a confusing smirk.

"Bro, I get it. You're excited to see your daughter but don't you think that may be a little too fast for them?" He questions my eagerness.

"I mean Gloria is going need time to understand what happened these past three years, and your daughter. Your daughter has no idea who you are. I just don't want to scare the her." He adds.

I clench my jaw at annoyance but also understanding because deep down I know he's right but I can't have them out there alone. They need to be by my side at all times. Especially on the brink of this war brewing with the Albanians. I will not have my daughter unprotected. So, whether Gloria agrees with it or not. This time I will kidnap her ass if need be but let's home it doesn't come to that.

"Regardless of the situation, Niko. They're moving into that house that can come willingly or by force." I assure him.

He shakes his head laughing, "oh but I'm the insane brother, right?"

"Hey, at least I'm 'insane' for a reason." I shrug my shoulders.

***

We met Johnny at the house around 2pm and he gives us back our keys to the home. My team has been working out of several warehouses since we've been incarcerated. We need our best men transferred back to the main house now that we own it again.

"Before you walk in I want you to prepare yourself." Johnny says.

"What the fuck now?" Niko stops and deadpans to Johnny.

"Well, you know how NYPD operates. They enjoyed trashing your home. This is partly why they were so eager to pay you the 20 million. They knew they fucked up majorly." I roll my eyes turning the key in the lock to open up my house.

Niko and I are red in the face as we look at the destruction of our marble floors. They gutted several of our couches. My library and office is completely turned upside down and books are pulled off the shelf. We continue to walkthrough the house assessing the damages. Immediately, we call in a team of people to fix the floors, plumbing, and electricity. We had designers come in and stage our home the best they could. We need this place to look spotless by the end of the week.

All of this work took us hours to complete but it was well worth it. The flooring should be done in two days and the new furniture is arriving tomorrow along with our old staff. 

My phone begins to ring, and I accept the call seeing it's Katzon. "Give me an update."

"Every thing looks clear boss. She's back at home and I just saw her turn the lights out in her house. The friend dropped them off and they've remained home the rest of the - shit!" I hear him yell.

"What!?" I panic.

"Katzon, what the fuck is going on?" I get ready to grab my keys off the counter and he finally responds. "Boss, I think she saw me."

"You idiot. You're supposed to be a ghost remember. You watch them and they never see you." I remind him.

"I think we're good. She just quickly closed the curtain and shortly after she turned her bedroom lights off. She probably just thought I was a creep or something." I sighed annoyed.

"Keep me updated throughout the night. Niko and I will takeover tomorrow and give you and Krish a break."

"Sounds good, boss." He hangs up.

I spend the rest of my night trying to figure out how to approach Gloria with this offer. I know she's not going to take it well and will probably fight me on it. But I hope it doesn't come to me, doing something I really don't want to do. But so help me God, I will go to the pits of hell and even make Gloria hate me, if it means my daughter is safe. 

Why would she say no though? She'll be living in a mansion with an indoor pool, gym, and fully secured house. She will be protected and won't have to worry about anything or anyone hurting them. Gloria will have access to my money and anything else she needs to make her feel happy and safe.

At least that's what I keep telling myself, but I know this will be harder than I expect.