He sits back with a smug expression and doubt in his eyes.
He's right to be wary.
Gerard could be planning anything anywhere and even with our small army, we won't be successful if we don't see him coming.
"Agreed." I look at Rico. "I want eyes on that safehouse. If he leaves, I want to know where he's going and who he's taking with him."
"Already on it," Rico says. "I've got two men stationed nearby. They'll report any movement."
I turn my attention back to the map.
Gerard gave me a deadline to bow out graciously—Christmas Eve.
It's his planned day of attack, and I'm ready.
I just wish I knew where it was going to happen.
It feels like I've come miles from the place we started, but the destination is still just outside my reach.
My phone buzzes in my pocket.
I pull it out and glance at the screen.
It's Rico's second-in-command, one of the men stationed at the villa.
I answer immediately.
"Talk to me."
"We've got movement," the man says. His voice is tight and quiet, harsh whispers. "East side of the property, there's three vehicles. They're not ours."
My blood turns to ice. "How many men?"
I'm already moving toward the door, gesturing for my men, and I hear the scrape of chair feet on the concrete.
"At least a dozen—maybe more. They're parking two blocks away and moving on foot." He sounds slightly winded too, as if he's been running.
"Are they armed?"
"Can't confirm yet, but I'd bet on it," he says, and he's huffing. Definitely running.
I glance at the clock on the wall.
It's barely past midnight.
Antonelli's moving early.
He wants to catch us off guard.
"Lock down the villa," I order. "Get Marta, Angelica, and Sofia to the safe room—now. I'm on my way."
"Copy that."
"We have a situation," I shout. "Everyone move out now. Arm up. We don’t know what we're facing. The villa may be under attack."
The room erupts into motion and I move toward the exit, my mind racing.
Angelica and Sofia are at home.
