The Bianchi estate wasneversilent. Not unless something nefarious was happening outside. An attack of some kind.
Is Dad here?I wonder.Have his people surrounded the jet?
That would be just like my father, waiting until we landed to take Lazarus by surprise.
My stomach twists with the notion. Because Dad won’t hesitate to give a kill order. Fellow don or not, Lazaruskidnapped a Bianchi. That’s punishable by death. I warned Lazarus. I told him what would happen.
So why am I suddenly nervous?I think.Why do I even care?
Lazarus might be my scent match. But we arenotgoing to be together. Ever.
Only… only, I don’t really want him to die. I mean, he’s not a good man. He’s a notorious killer. Ruthless.Violent.
Yet rule number two implies consent.I frown.And everything he’s done thus far is… not at all what I expect from the don of the Ferraro Mafia.
I stole money from him.A lotof money. I know what happens to hackers in my position. However, all he’s really done is kidnap me.
And force me to watch an erotic show between him and Johan.
Except, he didn’t actually force me to watch anything. Ichoseto stand there while they deep-throated each other.
My thighs clench with the memory, a fresh wave of brown sugar and honey teasing my nose. It mingles with the other scents in the jet, creating a decadent bookstore cafe of aromas that have me falling back onto the bed with a groan.
Something buzzes beneath my head.My phone.
Mycompromisedphone, thanks to Johan.
His hack is… exquisitely intricate. I hate that his technique intrigued me. He’s skilled. As a fellow professional, I can respect that. But it infuriates me to no end, too.
Another vibration has me fishing the compromised tech out from under the pillow. Two messages are waiting for me, both from the unknown number, which apparently has a full name in my phone now.Johan Greco.
I arch a brow, wondering if that’s his real last name.
Then I read his first text.Time to go, little hacker. Laz’s team just gave us the green light.
I snort.
And then scroll down to the second message.There’s a car waiting for us outside. Noah and Laz are going to meet us later at the estate.
I blink at that.Noah and Laz are no longer here?I wonder, sitting up again.Where did they go?My eyes widen a little.Are they dealing with my father?
I didn’t hear any gunfire outside.
But maybe the jet’s walls are insulated or something, masking sound.
Shit.
I grab my gun and phone, then roll off the bed while ignoring the rush of sensation to my head. I need to make sure my dad is okay. Not that we’re close. But I don’t really like the idea of anything happening to the members of my family.
Especially Gio.
I march toward the door and shove my bare feet into my boots, slip the gun into one side, and exit.
“Where’s Lazarus?” I demand.
Johan stares me down from his position near the executive chair. He’s wearing a midnight-blue dress shirt, one that looks freshly pressed. The sleeves are rolled to the elbows, and the top button is unfastened. His legs are casually crossed at the ankles, and his hands are in the pockets of his slacks.
The epitome of indifference. Undisturbed. And annoyingly calm.
