Martin steps in front of me, a cruel smile dancing on his lips. “You heard that? You’re going to be the downfall of your uncle too.”
I scoff. “Funny if you think I give a fuck.”
He scowls at me. “Can I kill her already?” He turns to his father, but at that moment, his phone chimes, and he steps back to answer it, putting the call on speaker with his father hovering nearby.
“Taylor?” he asks, his tone betraying a hint of irritation.
“Fuck, Del Moro, I changed my mind. I’m in,” Taylor’s voice crackles through the phone.
Martin laughs, his amusement laced with mockery. “You’re such a fucking pussy, Taylor.”
“Fuck, I know, man, I needed to think about it, but I wanna be on the right side,” Taylor concedes.
“You fucking are now, brother.” He smirks.
“Where are you?” Taylor asks.
Martin looks at his father, who nods at him. “The Costa apartment building. Call when you are out front. I’ll come get you.”
“Thank you, man,” Taylor says, hanging up.
“You think this is a trap?” Del Moro Sr. asks.
“I trust him with my life. He just got cold feet there for a second, but I knew he would come crawling back,” he states confidently.
“Fine, but we’re going to make him shoot one of them, so we are sure he is in, and we have leverage if he changes his mind again.” Del Moro Sr. shrugs.
“I don’t give a fuck as long as I get to shoother,” he points at me, his smirk menacing.
Chiara sobs, and I clench my teeth.
Fuck. How do I get her out of here?
I bet Clay and Joshua are already looking for us, but would they really think about looking here? It’s way too easy.
I need to buy us some time.
“So what? You guys are like Metro Milanesi idiots?” I ask, trying to keep my tone carefree, even though I’m anything but.
Detective Del Moro laughs at his son. “You told me she was big-mouthed, but you did not tell me she was stupid.” He walks over to me and grabs my hair, pulling my head back and making pain shoot through my scalp. “Iamthe Metro Milanesi, girl. And if you have heard of us, you know that I don’t have any qualmsor morals to keep me from killing you in the most painful way possible. You should shut that mouth really quick if you know what’s good for you.”
He releases me, and I turn my head away, gulping.
Holy shit, this guy is fucking terrifying.
My heart is nearly beating out of my chest, and I have to make sure my bored face doesn’t fall in front of them with my panic.
Martin’s phone chimes with a text, and he looks down at it. “Taylor is outside.”
“I am going to come with you. I wanna feel him out myself first before I let him down here. Gabrielli, make sure they don’t move. Shoot them if they try anything,” Del Moro orders Matteo, who nods as they both leave the room.
The night airis cool and crisp. I stand with Clay behind the police car next to Captain Swanson and keep my composure on the outside, but inside, I am shaking with nerves, and my head injury radiates pain through my entire body.
Detective Del Moro opens the door to the building and is the first to step out. Shock crosses his face for a second when he seesall the flashing blue and red lights. The whole perimeter of the building is surrounded by squad cars and heavily-armed police officers taking strategic positions behind vehicles and corners.
Captain Swanson steps forward from behind the car we are standing. “Detective Del Moro, you and your son are both under arrest for kidnapping as well as ties to the Metro Milanesi gang. Lay down your weapons and put your hands on your heads.”
Detective Del Moro, taken aback but maintaining his composure, looks around, then smiles innocently. “This is quite the reception, Swanson. But surely you must be mistaken. I’ve been on the force for years. I’ve devoted my life to protecting this city.”
