And not just because I’d personally vetted the motherfucker who plotted to kill my mother while pretending to protect her life.
“That evil man was taken care of, and we’ve tested our current men. Test them again or trust them, Noah. Either that, or give them the final alternative.”
“Dammit, I hate when you’re right.”
Roman Barrett came running into the room, our butler on his heels.
“Sorry, sirs, he wouldn't wait for me to announce him,” Bedford said breathlessly.
Roman spoke over him. “They bombed the site. Mancini was blown to bits.”
My stomach sank before rising to choke me. “What?”
Nodding furiously, Roman continued his report. “I heard it firsthand from Brennan. He said there’s nothing left but a crater in the earth.”
My father struggled to rise, but I put a restraining hand on his shoulder.
“Now wait a fucking minute,” he wheezed. “Why the fuck would they do such a thing?”
“Hoping to get to one of us,” I said calmly. “Please, sit back down, Dad.”
He huffed and puffed, and I knew he wanted to argue with me.
He simply didn't have the strength.
“The Chinese?” I asked Roman.
“We’re not sure if it was them or a rival family.”
I wanted to throw something, to smash something into a thousand pieces. I wanted to put my fist through someone’s face, but there was no one around whom I could do that to.
“If you hear even the slightest hint it was the Russos or Lombardis, I want swift and merciless punishment.”
Dad nodded. “I agree with him.”
“In the meantime, we have to steer clear of the area so emergency personnel won't make a connection between us and the location.” Perhaps that was their only motive. To make sure the police were looking hard at us for anything they could find. “And we’ll have to make amends to Lorenzo’s family.”
Fuck, I didn't need this right now. Was it to botch the sale, or to put us on the radar? Was it the Chinese, who were meant to sell us the weapons, or was it someone local looking to fuck with us?
“I know your wheels are spinning,” Dad said, “but let the men investigate.”
How did I let them do anything now, when my suspicions were at an all-time high? It wasn't the loss of the good location that bothered me nearly as much as losing a loyal man. One of the few I trusted implicitly, and he’d been reduced to nothing for petty reasons.
“I need to know who did this to Lorenzo. I need to make them pay.”
“Understood,” Roman said.
“Now, let him and Brennan look into it.”
Though Dad meant well, there was no way I would let them take the reins and not check in on them. I didn't have it in me.
“So help me,” I said through gritted teeth. Sucking in a breath, I let it out slowly. “When I find out who did this, they’ll pay triplefold.”
Roman left the room, and I told Dad I’d see him later. I had to find Gio and give him the news, and maybe he’d think of something I hadn't.
Except that, when I found him, he was playing grab ass with my sister in the corner of the main hallway. A lion’s head loomed over them, and I stared up at it as I cleared my throat.
“We have an emergency,” I said.
