A chuckle comes over the line.“Javi, and sure, though I suggest you keep this on the downlow, if you know what’s good for you. After all, I won’t be happy if I have to patch up more than a concussion and a few cuts and scrapes.”
“Are my men safe, Javi?”
“Yes. As I said, a mild concussion and some cuts from the glass, nothing that will kill them.”There’s almost a wistful sound to his voice, and I hold back a snort.
“Someone will be there to retrieve them soon.”
“Good. Just know…you better be as friendly as Ely thinks you are…”With that lovely warning, Javi hangs up.
“Fuck,” Carter hisses. “This…isn’t good.”
“Caught the warning about the traitor too?” Keegan asks, stress evident in his voice.
“Leandro, how far out are the men from Marcus and Antonio?” Carters asks rather than replying.
“Maybe twenty minutes. I’ll ask them to hang back until Keegan catches up.”
“If there’s a traitor in the gang…”
“No,” I say before Keegan can even finish the thought. “I would know if someone in our midst was a fucking traitor.”
“Would you?” Jude asks, taking a step toward me. “Or are you trying to throw us off the fact you’re playing God again?”
“This isn’t my doing. You either trust me or don’t, I don’t care. I don’t go back on my word. I know nothing of this supposed traitor.” I smile, letting the mask fall for a second. The cold nothingness that normally encapsulates me slips through asmy lips tilt up into a grin. “But you can be sure I’m going to find out who it is. There’s a reason the Senator hasn’t been found yet. The only people who knew where those two were going were you, me, and Keegan. After all, I’m not allowed to run missions on my own, and I know your preciousSweethearthas orders to tell you when he leaves the house.”
My arm stings where Jude’s knife grazes it. I don’t flinch though, meeting his gaze head on, even as the sound of the knife embedding into something behind me is loud in the otherwise silent room.
“Enough,” Carter orders. “Jude, you and Keegan will go save Antonio and Marcus before they get themselves into any more trouble. Take a few guards with you. We can’t trust the roads right now, and I don’t want you traveling by yourselves. Leandro?—”
“I am perfectly capable of doing my job. The Senator has gone to ground. After his little press conference where he backhandedly called us out for killing his children, he hasn’t made a public appearance. I might need Hollis to take that over while I go rat hunting.”
“I’m trusting you, Leandro, because I’ve known you for years, and I want to believe you mean what you say about not wanting Roman and Lio to get hurt. That doesn’t mean you don’t still owe payment for your mistakes.”
I laugh a little. “Sure. I’m curious to see what the Council comes up with as an appropriatepunishment. Now, get out; Hol and I have work to do.”
“Here.” Hollis tosses Keegan an earpiece. “One for Dima, too.” He hands one to Jude. “Be careful, Agnellino. You and your Boy both better return in one piece.”
Jude gives him a short nod. “We will.”
Jude and Keegan leave, with Carter following close behind. I feel like I can breathe when it’s just Hollis and me.
“I’m getting fed up with the Martellis’ lack of faith in me,” I grouse.
“Can you blame them?” Hollis asks sharply. “You fucked up, Leandro. You’re lucky they seem to respect Tennant and I enough to not outright murder you.”
“I’d like to see them try,” I mutter.
“Enough,” he replies. “Just…enough, please. Let’s make sure everyone gets in and out safely.”
I let it go, hearing the stress in his tone, and knowing how worried he is about Roman and Lio. Hell,I’mworried, and that’s not an easy emotion for me to parse through. Not knowing how to help either of them, and hearing there’s another fucking traitor in our midst…
No, now isn’t the time for the Martellis to be on their high horse about me and my methods. As unorthodox as they might be, they got results…even if things got a bit messier than intended. No matter, I’ll not only find this rat, but the Senator too, and then people can stop giving me the fucking side-eye…or I’ll let Boston eat them, whichever comes first.
Iglare at the back of the guard’s head when I get into the SUV. Thankfully, it’s one of the larger ones, but fuck if I’m going to deal with protocol right now. Snapping my belt on, I finally turn to look at Jude, who is as tense as I am.
“If you think I’m riding separately…” I narrow my eyes, making it clear I give zero fucks about Tennant’s rule on that.
“No, you’re right. We need to stay together right now. We’re going into unknown territory…”
