Ducking into the bathroom, I apply my make-up. A precise flick of eyeliner. My lips are lined perfectly, filled with a deep red.
Layer by layer, I put myself back together. And when I look at my reflection, I could almost kid myself that the last few months haven’t happened at all.
I stop when I walk out of the bathroom.
“I thought you might want them,” Gio says carefully. He holds up my knives with a nod at my shoes. “So I asked Vincent to send them. I packed them, though. Before we came for you.”
I blow out a breath. “I feel more like myself, at least. Thank you.”
More prepared to face whatever is coming for us when we land.
Gio hands me the knives, watching as I select the two daggers Luc gave me, sliding them into the back. “If hehasbroken Omertà, he’s handed you a heavy advantage.”
“I know.” I already mapped it, Dom and Stefano feeding in on the drive to the private airfield. “None of the men will willingly follow him if he has.”
Aside from my uncle’s men, nobody has stepped forward as an ally. But if they’re waiting, testing the waters, this could be the ammunition I need to push them into my corner.
“I suppose we’ll find out.”
I emerge from the bedroom and settle into the seat beside Dom. His jaw is tight. “I don’t agree with this.”
“Tough.” I don’t look at him. “I made the call.”
He turns his phone over in his hand. “I tried to call Vincent for back-up, but he’s not answering. Nor Tony.”
And he soundspissed. “I’ve been out of the loop for too fucking long, Cat.”
“You and me both. It’ll be easier than you think to fall back into it, Dom. We’ve spent years doing this. Our whole lives preparing for it. A few months don’t take away years of work.”
He grimaces. “Is your uncle still on campus?”
I check my phone. “I don’t know.”
And I forgot to ask Vincent for his number. Stupid, careless mistakes.
I can’t afford to make any, small or large.
The pilot’s voice filters over the intercom. “Landing. Please take your seats.”
We land with a bump, the plane hurtling over the tarmac. We’re all out of our seats before it stops.
“Fuck.” Luc swings his head between Stefano and me. “You were right.”
I press my lips together. “Maybe.”
“They look like cops to me,” Gio says grimly. “This isn’t good.”
Three cars pull up beside the plane, lights flashing. “Give me your gun.”
Dante stares at me incredulously as Gio immediately pulls out his Glock, handing it to me. I take it with a nod, gesture at Dante. “I need another.Now, Dante.”
He shakes his head. “You can’t be serious. You start a shootout here and we’re all dead, Cat. They’ll turn a blind eye to a lot, but you won’t walk out alive.”
“I’m not starting anything.” I stride up to him, my hand sliding into his holster and pulling out a pistol. I flick the safety on, shoving it into the back of my trousers with a wince. Never the best idea.
They follow as I dart to the bedroom. Luc starts pulling off his own weapons, handing them to Stefano. Quickly, I pull two smaller pins from my dagger set, winding my hair into a bun and sticking them in. “Any pens on this plane?”
“Cat.” Dom snaps my name. “What the hell are you doing?”
