“Unfortunately.” I scan the ground watching men cart dead bodies to one pickup point and helping to move the injured to a different collection point. All casualties will be moved to the newmafiosohospital. I knew it would be all-hands-on-deck and Mom would most likely be called in to help tonight.
“Be safe, my love, and message me when you’re both home. I don’t care what time it is.”
A chuckle escapes my lips. “Mom. We’re not kids anymore, and you need to stop worrying. You know the score.”
“That is an impossibility, Caleb. You’re my sons. I will always worry, especially on days like today. Just be a good boy and text your mother. Please?”
“Of course.” I struggle to deny Mom anything. I was a little rebellious shit during my teenage years, and I put her through hell on more than one occasion. These days, I go out of my way to make it up to her.
“Love you.”
“Love you too.” I hang up first because Mom will keep me on the line for ages if I don’t.
When I find Gia and Joshua, I’m relieved to hear her father and brothers made it out alive. Antonio took a bullet to his shoulder protecting his younger brother, but he’ll live. Rico picked up an injury to his leg, but it’s strapped up, and it’s not impeding him apparently. Both men are en route to the hospital under sufferance.
“Where is fuckface one and two?” My gaze roams the area, but I see no sign of Cruz or McDermott.
“McDermott is unconscious and on his way to the bunker,” Joshua confirms. “But that other prick got away.”
“How the fuck did that happen?”
“We don’t know, but Cristian took off with some men to see if he can locate him,” Joshua says.
I’m guessing that’s a futile exercise. The prick most likely escaped on the sub.
“I shot out his kneecaps,” Gia says, “so he obviously had help. I should have kept him in my sights.”
“It’s not your fault, honey.” My brother looks at his woman in a familiar adoring manner. It’s grossly endearing. “It was crazy and hard to keep tabs on everyone.”
“And they had a fucking submarine,” Cosimo says. Gia’s brother’s eyes are out on stalks. “Like that’s some insane shit.”
“We couldn’t stop them from escaping in time, and a lot of men still got away. I’m assuming Cruz was one of them,” Joshua says, articulating my previous thought.
“He must be important to their plans,” Gia adds.
“At least we took these motherfuckers out.” I glance to the side where Primo and Maximo Greco and Don Calabro are lined up on the muddy ground alongside the bodies of our deadsoldati. “That’s got to be one of the shortest homecomings ever.” I kick the side of Maximo’s wizened head. “Arrogant fucks.”
“Can you actually believe that shit? How the hell did they stay hidden for over thirteen years?” Joshua shakes his head.
“I’d like the answer to that question too,” Ben says, walking over to us with Leo.
“Was Maximo the Italian big boss or do you think there is someone else pulling the strings?” Gia asks.
“If he’s been hiding in Italy all this time, it’s possible his ally is the one pulling the strings,” I say.
“Meaning it’s not over.” Gia sighs as she leans her head against Joshua’s shoulder.
“We rounded up a few Italians who are alive. We’ll interrogate them and hopefully get some answers this time.” Leo cracks his knuckles as a cell phone vibrates in Ben’s pocket.
A frown puckers Mazzone’s brow as he stares at the screen. “It’s the commissioner.” His gaze bounces between us. “I’ll handle him if you can wrap this up fast.” Pressing a button on his cell, he accepts the call and stalks off to smooth things over with his police commissioner buddy.
“Help me carry these to the car,” Leo says, jerking his head at the three men on the grass beside us.
“Why aren’t they shark fodder like the rest?” I ask, tipping my head to where our men are tossing dead bodies into the ocean. Enemies and traitors are taking a permanent swim whilethe bodies of loyal men are being transported to HQ so their families can bury them with dignity.
“Don Greco instructed us to retrieve the bodies,” my stepdad says, hefting old man Greco over his shoulder. “If it was up to me, I’d happily toss this prick over the edge.” He doesn’t need to elaborate on his hatred for the man or why.
“Just do it. Give Massimo some bullshit excuse. It’s not like he’s going to punish you for it.”
