Chapter 6 - The Last Enemy Was Already Inside
Natasha carried the envelope directly to Simon.
He read the message.
His face changed.
“Who had access to this floor?”
“Household staff,” Anthony said. “Security. Family.”
Simon looked around the room.
“Lock everything down.”
Natasha shook her head.
“No.”
Simon turned.
“No?”
“Whoever left that wants you scared.”
“I’m not scared.”
“Fine. Paranoid.”
“I prefer cautious.”
“Then be smart.”
Simon looked at Anthony.
“Check the photograph.”
Within an hour, they had an answer.
The image had been printed using a printer inside Simon’s own office.
Anthony returned with security records.
“One person accessed your office yesterday while we were at the meeting.”
“Who?”
Anthony hesitated.
“Teresa.”
Natasha stood.
“No.”
Simon’s expression became unreadable.
“Bring her in.”
Teresa entered five minutes later.
She saw the photograph.
Her face went pale.
“Where did you get that?”
Simon leaned forward.
“You tell me.”
“I didn’t leave it.”
“You entered my office.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Teresa looked toward Natasha.
Then back at Simon.
“Because Victor called me.”
Simon stood.
Natasha’s stomach dropped.
“Teresa?”
“He threatened my daughter.”
Her voice broke.
“He knew where she lived. Where my granddaughter went to school.”
Simon remained silent.
“He told me to print the photograph and leave it for Natasha.”
“Why?”
“He wanted her frightened enough to leave.”
“Victor is in custody.”
Teresa shook her head.
“He called after the meeting.”
Anthony swore.
Simon grabbed his phone.
“If Victor called after his arrest, somebody gave him access.”
“No,” Teresa whispered.
“What?”
“It wasn’t Victor.”
Everyone stopped.
“He told me to say it was Victor if I was caught.”
“Who was it?”
Teresa’s eyes filled with tears.
“Michael Gambino.”
Simon went completely still.
Natasha knew the name.
Simon’s uncle.
His father’s younger brother.
The man who had publicly supported Simon against Victor.
Anthony whispered, “Jesus.”
Simon picked up his coat.
Natasha blocked him.
“Where are you going?”
“To end this.”
“How?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“Yes, I do.”
Simon’s eyes burned.
“He threatened my sons.”
“And Teresa’s family.”
“He used her.”
“Exactly.”
Natasha stepped closer.
“This is what Victor wanted. This is what Michael wants. Every problem becomes blood.”
“He will not stop.”
“Then make him stop without becoming him.”
Simon stared at her.
“You think every man can be reasoned with?”
“No.”
“I’ve spent my entire life around men like Michael.”
“And you said you wanted out.”
“I said I wanted my sons out.”
“There’s no difference anymore.”
That hit him.
Natasha lowered her voice.
“If you kill him, somebody avenges him. Then somebody avenges you. When does it end?”
Simon looked toward the nursery.
Natasha touched his hand.
“It ends with you.”
The next morning, federal agents arrested Michael Gambino.
Financial records linked him to extortion, narcotics distribution, conspiracy, and the attack on Simon’s safe house.
Teresa’s family was moved somewhere secure.
No bodies disappeared.
No war began.
For the first time in decades, a Gambino had defeated an enemy without creating another funeral.
Three weeks later, Natasha walked into Simon’s office.
She placed an envelope on his desk.
He looked at it.
“What’s this?”
“My resignation.”
Simon’s expression went blank.
“No.”
She almost laughed.
“You can’t reject a resignation.”
“I just did.”
“Simon.”
“Why?”
“The twins are stable. You know the routines. You’ve hired two excellent pediatric specialists.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
Natasha looked at him.
“Because I don’t know what I am here anymore.”
His expression softened.
“You’re Natasha.”
“That’s not enough.”
“It is to me.”
She swallowed.
“You hired me.”
“I know.”
“You paid me to stay.”
“I know.”
“And somewhere along the way…”
She stopped.
Simon stood.
“Somewhere along the way what?”
“I stopped staying for the money.”
Neither moved.
Simon stepped around the desk.
“Then why are you leaving?”
“Because I need to know I can.”
Understanding crossed his face.
The promise from their first night.
I’m not a prisoner.
If I stay, it’s because I choose to.
Simon looked at the resignation.
Then picked it up.
He signed the bottom.
Natasha blinked.
“You accept?”
“Yes.”
Her heart sank unexpectedly.
Simon handed it back.
“You’re free, Natasha.”
She took the paper.
He continued.
“No contract. No salary. No obligation.”
She nodded.
“Thank you.”
Then Simon said quietly:
May you like
“But I hope you come back.”
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