“But what if you’re wrong?” I tilted my head. “What then, David?”
For just a moment, his mask slipped, and beneath it, I saw the scared, pathetic man he was. He was sure of his plan, as long as no one questioned it. But the way his lips curled angrily, I knew he wasn’t thinking clearly. “Then I will kill you both.” The anger faded, replaced by anoh-so-pleasedsmile.
My stomach churned at the ease and the joy on his face. I knew killing was part of life for the mafia or the mob, but I kept my expression impassive, nodding. “So what’s the plan, then?” I asked. “You make Enzo step down, and then what?”
He frowned. “Then everything is mine, obviously.” His frown darkened. “What do you mean?” The spark of interest in his eyes gave me hope.
“Well,” I began slowly, choosing my words carefully. “Removing Enzo is only the first hurdle. He’s the leader. Afriend. A foe. The boss. He’s garnered loyalty and respect over all this time. Do you think you’ll just be able to step into that role?”
Fear flickered in his eyes. And worse than that, uncertainty. He recovered fast, but not fast enough. “I have men,” he snapped. “Men who’ll back me.”
That much was true, I was sure. There were plenty of men and women who would help for the right price. “Men like the ones hiding throughout this place?” I asked, each word calm and gentle.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said a little too quickly. His words were completely unconvincing, but I let the lie ride.
“Okay.” Weeks of living under constant protection and nonstop surveillance had trained my ear, and I knew I wasn’t wrong.
He’d raised the gun again, making sure I couldn’t take my eyes off it. Alarm flickered in his gaze, but he was too angry to give it much weight. “Don’t worry about any of that. Just sit there and look pretty. Do your fucking part and youmightmake it out of here alive.”
I wanted to believe that, but this man was an unhinged liar, and nothing he said could be trusted.
“Now, sit tall and look pathetic. He’ll be here any minute now.” He took a few steps forward and raised the gun until my eyes crossed from looking at it. “Don’t do anything stupid. I won’t hesitate to kill you, especially knowing how much it’d gut my cousin.”
Yes, you will,I thought but once again kept it to myself.
The large metal door opened, followed a moment later by the sound of footsteps echoing against the walls. My heart slammed against my ribs.
Enzo walked in alone.
Where is his security? Why isn’t Luca with him?
I sat up taller and took in every detail I could.
He looked exhausted, like he hadn’t had a moment of peace since last night. His jaw was shadowed with stubble, but he was still devastatingly handsome in a dark suit with no tie. He wasn’t the businessman today; he was the mafia leader. He was the man I loved wrapped in designer clothes and lethal calm.
His gaze found mine instantly, emotion flashing there for half a second before disappearing behind iron control. “You okay?” he asked quietly.
I nodded. “Getting to know your cousin.”
“Enough,” David snapped, waving the gun at me. “Enough with the reunion bullshit.” He kept the gun on me, but his gaze went to Enzo. “We need to talk.”
Enzo folded his arms. “I’m listening.” He looked calm and relaxed, which should have been the first clue that this wouldn’t go how David thought it would. But he was too drunk on power to notice.
He opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted.
“David wants your job,” I said simply, stealing whatever speech he’d been about to unleash.
David glared at me.
“Sorry?”
“Keep your fucking mouth shut!” David shouted loudly, jabbing the gun closer to my throat.
I held his gaze, unflinching even as my heart raced like crazy. Earlier, I was mildly afraid of him, but now that Enzo was here and that crazed look had returned to David’s eyes, the fear was genuine. My hands were suddenly cold even though his attention was fully on Enzo now, which was exactly where I wanted it.
“The family business is mine,” David declared. “You step down, and you both walk out of here alive.”
Enzo smiled. It was slow and dangerous. “Is that all you want?” he asked mildly.
