Hushed whispering ripples across the room. “These traitors will be dealt with accordingly,” Cristian says. “A few may have slipped through the cracks.” I watch the tall man with baldinghair on the stage for any signs of a reaction, but he gives nothing away. He’s good. I’ll give him that. “Watch your backs.”
The meeting disperses quickly as everyone moves to their assigned team. I hug my brothers tight, silently praying both of them come home safely. “Be careful,” I tell them, cupping Cosimo’s face. “Especially you. Don’t take unnecessary risks.”
“I’ll see you in a few hours. You can count on it.” Cosimo gives me another quick hug before walking off.
“I’ll make sure he’s safe,” Antonio says. “Dad put him on my team so I could look out for him.”
“Don’t forget to look out for you too.” I yank him into a fierce hug as Joshua approaches from behind his shoulder. “Love you, bro.”
“Love you too. Happy shooting.” He nods at my boyfriend before racing after our younger brother.
“No reckless shit,” Joshua says, tugging on the end of my ponytail.
“Right back at ya.”
“I’m not the reckless one.” He arches a brow.
“You’re getting all the fun,” Caleb grumbles, materializing alongside us.
I roll my eyes. Trust Caleb to call the impending bloodbathfun.
“It’s your fault for being so skilled with a rifle.” Joshua claps his brother on the back.
“Ready to head out?” Caleb asks me, and I nod.
“Keep her safe, little brother.”
Caleb flips him the bird as he pulls me under his arm. “Don’t worry. I’ve got your woman covered.”
I shove my elbow into his side. “Don’t be gross, and stop freaking him out when he’s going into battle.”
I fling my arms around Joshua’s neck and stretch up on my booted feet. “I love you.” I slam my lips against his, and he kissesme back with the same desperation I feel. “Be careful out there, and come home to me.”
“Always.” He kisses me one final time before we part.
“You should give me your coordinates,” Marino says to Caleb as we move to walk off. “I should know where you are in case anything should go wrong.”
“It’s classified,” Caleb says through gritted teeth.
Their underboss laughs. “You’ve got to be joking. I’m your second-in-command, and I have a right to know.”
Caleb’s nostrils flare as he steps up to the older man. I yank him back as Joshua steps in to smooth things over. “It’s nothing personal, Benedito.” Joshua lowers his voice on purpose. “You know we have a mole within the top level we weren’t able to identify.”
“You better not be suggesting it’s me.” His hands ball at his side as I squeeze Caleb’s arm in warning.
“Of course not.” Joshua’s expression is sincere as he eyeballs the traitor. “If it was up to us, we’d tell you, but Don Greco would bust our balls for disrespecting his orders, and we can’t afford that. We still have a lot to prove to our peers.”
“He wouldn’t have to know.”
“I don’t even know where we’re going, and I’m a part of the team,” I say. “It’s smart to keep the intel contained. Surely you concede that point?”
He shoots me a withering glare before offering me a tight smile. He turns to Joshua. “Can I at least have my cell and my weapons back?”
“Afraid I can’t do that.”
Anger ripples across his face. “This is such bullshit! How am I expected to do my job blindfolded with my hands effectively tied behind my back?” he hisses.
“I know. We’re not pleased about it either, but these are the rules.”
