But I don’t get far.Two goons block my path, grab us, and rip us apart.
“I’m sorry, I was unclear,” Dante says in a menacing yet still very sleazy tone.“You don’t have a say in the matter.You’re mine now.”
Does this mean Matteo failed?
Does it mean he is dead?
I would know it if he was.I would feel him leave this world.Feel his sunshine disappearing.
Or would I?
Is my curse to blame?Did it cause this?Did it cause his death because I told him I loved him and wanted to bear his children?Because I wanted to be his wife even if I rejected his ring?
Or is his curse acting now to rip us apart, take from him that which he cares for the most?Me.Our unborn son.
In my thoughts, I can still hear the sweet, carefree, laughter of our child.But it’s fading, growing quieter and quieter until it vanishes completely.
Because he will never laugh now.
Our curses collided and brought nothing but death all around.Death and sadness and failure.Just as life was meant to start anew.
Chapter35
MATTEO
We leftthe strip club at four thirty.The injured Jesus and his Mexicans stayed.As did Igor and the Russians.For all I know, they’re already killing each other over who gets to keep it.They can, for all I care.
Teams five and six—Rogue’s and Cross’ team—were the ones in trouble.Fighting Hydra who had showed up to defend two of Moretti’s properties that they had been assigned to hit.Those properties are two warehouses—one full of guns, another full of trafficked women.I rode to help Rogue at the warehouse with the guns, and it’s been a non-stop shootout for the past hour or so.
Rogue and his team are stuck just inside the wall surrounding the vast warehouse, hiding behind three rows of lorries with no way to run from the gunfire raining down on them from the windows of the warehouse.
The warehouse which houses a large stash of weapons of all sorts.Meaning the guys shooting at us from inside could be in there for a while and not run out of ammo.
Caputo has reminded me of this several times already, as if I can’t figure it out on my own.I told him to find me a way in.Most of the other teams, done with their assignments, have already joined us, but Caputo wants to wait for all of them to get here before we storm the place.
We’re stationed close enough to hear the gunfire, but far enough to prevent being hit.Hopefully they also can’t see us.We’re just waiting for Cross and his team to get here now, since they’ve managed to get their target under control successfully.
I’m not so thrilled about waiting any longer and neither is Blade, who is growing increasingly more nervous beside me.
“We should just scale the wall where they’re hiding, put some ropes in place and give them cover fire so they can climb out,” Blade suggests.“I don’t see what waiting for a few more bodies is going to do at this point.I got family in there.Don’t even know who’s still alive and who’s dead.”
Caputo gives him an uncharacteristically considerate look.“That’s exactly why we’re waiting.In case anyone is hurt.There will be no way to get those over the wall and we’re not leaving anyone behind.”
Blade nods, but he looks even more concerned now.
To make matters that much worse, something is jamming radio signals out here, so we have no way to communicate with those stuck inside the wall.
I also have family there.Nico went with Rogue.Our last conversation is echoing in my head.I’m glad I confirmed him as my consiglieri.If he’s laying his life on the line for me today, at least I gave him that.
The gunfire is coming in bursts now, but they’re fewer and far between now.Rogue and his team must be running out of bullets.
“I’ll figure it out,” I tell Blade then turn to Caputo is.
“It’s time.There’s enough of us here.”I tell him.And the sooner we’re done, the sooner I can go find Moretti.
Caputo looks like he’s about to start arguing.In the distance, I see Cross arriving with his team, a cloud of dust surrounding their bikes as they approach at speed.And as stupid as it is, I feel like we’re saved.
“Cross is here,” I tell Caputo, then leave my spot by Blade to go meet them further down the road.Caputo joins me.
