“How many of Arturo’s men lived?” Marco asks.
“None,” Riccardo says darkly. “And good fucking riddance.”
I grab the duffel bag of ammo and swing it over my shoulder, anxious to get into position so I’m there when Gina arrives. Marco mirrors my action, his duffel bag full of guns and explosives. If the plan goes as I hope, we won’t need all this, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
It was risky as fuck to let Arturo get his hands on Gina, but unfortunately, there was no other play. I’ve spent all week trying to find an alternative.
I’m not using Gina as bait, but I’m alsonotnot using her as bait while controlling as many of the variables as fucking possible.
We still don’t know who the fourth party involved in this is; we only know it’s a ‘Ndrangheta Don. Our father hasn’t been able to discover it in all the months he’s been investigating this. This is why he agreed to the marriage between Rosa and me—he was trying to make Arturo trust him, yet the bastard still wouldn’t divulge it.
But today, it ends.
Because they have Gina, who they needed for the deal to go through, because the unknown fourth party involved wanted her as security. And as aprize.
I nearly bust my teeth grinding them at the thought. Caruso had planned to hand her over when he was finalizing the deal with Emanuele, but Vincenzo killing his father—which is still only known by Gina and me—put a wrench in that plan, and then I had hidden Gina away from the world for the past few months.
But today, all guilty parties will be present. They think they’re getting Gina and will be hiding that they’re breaking our laws bygoing after my wife and the mother of my child. But Arturo and the other ‘Ndrangheta Don won’t be walking out alive.
Riccardo catches my arm before I head to the door. He looks between Marco and me, concern coating his features. “You’re sure you can trust Vincenzo?”
“I’m positive.”
Neither of my brothers knows what I have over him. They exchange a look but don’t question me further.
I place a hand on each of their shoulders. “Family above all.”
“Santoros above all,” they reply in unison.
This is what our family does: we protect our own.
“Let’s go get your wife,fratello.” Riccardo grins. “I want to meet the woman who brought the lion to his knees.”
Chapter 44
Gina
We’reinPalmero.Ihave no memories of the city, but when I saw the massive opera house—theTeatro Massimo—with its grand staircase, columns, and domed roof, memories of seeing it in pictures came back.
I’m in the heart of Cosa Nostra territory, another mafia syndicate.
My heart races as I try to decide how screwed I am.
I glance at Stefano, who is staring straight ahead as we ride in the limo. He and Arturo are part of the ‘Ndrangheta. I’m not sure if their syndicate is rivals or enemies with the Cosa Nostra, but I know they aren’t friends. So the fact that they brought me here is more than alarming.
How will Tommaso find me? Get to me?
Did I misunderstand Stefano’s mouthed message? Or maybe it was a warning and a threat; he’s doing everything to protect his family, but doesn’t view me as a Santoro, and I’m a threat that needs to be eliminated.
If I thought my heart was racing before, it’s nothing compared to when we pull up to a gate that’s a solid sheet of metal that pulls back to allow us to drive through. And hearing that metal echo as it seals shut, locking me inside with men who have very ill intentions.
The imposing house doesn’t help. Not only is the perimeter secure, keeping me inside, but the grand house signifies that this is someone powerful.
Arturo looks out the window. “Candreva knows how to impress.”
Stefano’s stoic gaze flicks to him, then resumes staring ahead. “Don’t embarrass me.”
Arturo bristles. “Fuck you, Stefano.”
