Jimmy looks at me from the rearview.“Where to, boss?”
“Warehouse.”
The same warehouse where the fucking soldier who dared touch what does not belong to him has been kept alive until I arrive again tonight.He’s had long enough to think about what he’s done, and now it’s time to put the miserable fuck to good use.He’s fucking lucky he gets the chance for redemption, and if it weren’t for a cousin of his who’s been loyal to our family for thirty odd years, he wouldn’t even get the chance.That doesn’t mean it will be easy for him.Having to infiltrate another family’s territory never is, but his story will hold up because even after his bones heal, everyone around will know what happened to him.A perfect way in for Snake.
I glance out the back window as the SUV filled with four of our top soldiers follows our lead, out to the highway and then for a twenty-minute ride.No one would ever think to look for the place out here, but we can’t be too careful with Cassone’s men on our ass everywhere we go.“We lost the tail?”
“Back a ways, boss.”
I don’t need to know how they did it, only that it was done.“Good work.Any word on the Cassones’ plan?”
Jimmy’s eyes meet mine in the rearview.“Full-out war.They’re denying involvement in the hijacking and standing by their stance.”
My chest pounds with unprecedented rage.Even knowing we have his daughter, still the old fuck won’t concede.There’s no fucking way my old man and her father are going to let this go away without bloodshed.Unless she loses the bet.It has to fucking work.
16
Sophia
Even the slight chill in the air before the sun’s warmth heats the day doesn’t make me regret the decision to get up early and come out on the balcony.I stretch my legs out atop the cushioned wrought iron chair next to mine and stretch the long camel-colored sweater over me, to cover my body to just below my knees.
The sound of the French doors causes my attention to shift.Massimo walks out in a pair of nicely fitting denims and a dark grey sweater with gold chains that showcase his family crest.
He hits a button that I had not previously noticed and points above us.“The balcony will warm up shortly.I didn’t realize you would be out here so early, or I would have turned them on already.”
My eyebrows arch, trying hard to look at him and keep my gaze from wandering to the package he’s carrying around in those snug fitting jeans.But it’s hard, damn hard.
Massimo folds himself into the seat beside me and reaches for the carafe in the middle of the table and a cup that I’ve left upside down for him.“Did you make this?”he asks.
“I did.There’s a coffee pot in the kitchenette; don’t you have one?”I ask, sipping the cream- filled imported coffee from Italy.“I love this brand.We always have it on hand at home.Who knows how it arrives, in a plane full of drugs, on some of the trucks we deliver supply with, or any number of ways our fathers and their ancestors have devised for getting us what we want.”
He stops pouring mid-stream and gives me a smirk.“My, you are in good spirits today.There’s no fear of getting bored with you around, no?”
I shrug.“It’s a trained technique to keep you guessing and not focused on what it is that I’m really trying to do.Now, did you have second thoughts about my call today or are you a man of your word, Massimo Roselli?”
Massimo settles back in his seat, folding a powerful long leg across the other.“You’ll get your call, Sophia, but there’s something you should know before you phone your family.”
I swallow past a lump that immediately forms.Fear, real fear of what he may tell me.My father is dead, my sister is dead, my whole family is dead, the soldiers coming to rescue me have been defeated and our deal is off.All of the scenarios playing quickly through my mind as alternative after alternative of destruction play out.“Tell me,” I whisper, holding my hands around the warmth of the mug.
“I have it on good authority that your father is not going to give the money back.He is denying involvement in the hijacking of the trucks, refusing to reconcile with repayment, and leaving no option but war between the families.”
My chest tightens and my blood begins to race.“No, my father would never leave me here, no matter what.”
“I’m not lying to you, or telling you this to hurt you, Sophia, only to prepare you for the conversation that you want to have.”
I pin him with a stare, suddenly doubting why I thought trusting the enemy was even possible.We are always going to be on different sides, no matter what history writes, our families will always take opposite sides, just to remain the steadfast enemies they’ve always been.I extend a hand.“Your phone?”
His eyebrows arch.“Please?”
I exhale a breath, determined not to give him the satisfaction of thinking he has me scared.“Please, Massimo.You and I, we honor our deals.If you want me to honor mine, you will honor yours.The call is to my father and as we agreed, you may listen.”
He drags a phone from his pocket and enters a number before placing it on the table between us with the speaker on.
My eyes narrow.“How do you know the number I was planning to call?”
He shrugs.“You wouldn’t call a personal and non-published number on the enemy’s line, now would you, Sophia?You will call him on the office line he uses, capische?It will be recorded in a number of ways, by multiple people, no doubt including the FBI as well, so keep this in mind.”
The devil need say no more.All my life the same narrative has been drilled into me day after day, about what to say in public, what not to say on a phone line, in writing, and the list goes on ad nauseam.“Sometimes it’s hard to believe with all the rules I was even permitted to go to college,” I huff.
