“That’s a good thing, yeah?” Milk asked.
“Yes… except we’re not the only ones after Kareem’s attention,” I said.
“There’s always a bloody obstacle,” Upper complained. “Again, can’t we just break into the manor, a clean sweep?”
“Again, we already registered that would come with a twenty percent success rate. It is heavily guarded with several civilians that could be caught in the crossfire, and our best way is through a tour, undercover,” I told him.
“So, who’s the fucking obstacle?” Dog asked
I cleared my throat. “Marino’s people. It appears since we stopped working for them, and decided to find the painting and the gold on our own, they upped their game. They know about the manor. Also, Elio was seated right next to Kareem, and they seemed to be close, so, yeah, we have big competition.”
“Right.” Devil nodded, a confused look in his eyes. “That doesn’t answer the question about where you were; we were worried. Did you go with Kareem?” Devil asked with a frown. “You know you didn’t have to—”
I shook my head. “No… I, uh… I didn’t go with Kareem.”
Milk’s eyes widened in realization.
Dog’s gaze narrowed on me.
Upper raised his brow.
Devil was confused.
I blew out a sharp breath, bracing myself as I blurted, “I went with Elio.”
The silence after I said that was palpable.
Upper’s coffee cup stopped midway to his lips.
Milk’s lips formed an O.
Dog’s eyes widened as he whistled.
Devil… was confused.
“I beg your pardon?” Devil asked.
“I was with Elio; I spent the night in his suite. Not thatit’s any of your business. I just wanted to let you know that I still want that gold, just as much as any of you, so I might be sleeping with the enemy, but it doesn’t mean I am compromised.”
Milk shook her head slowly.
“Jesus Christ,” Dog breathed out.
“I knew it… back in Turin. The matching outfits,” Upper said.
I blinked. “That was pure coincidence, but yeah.”
“What the fuck?” Devil voiced, his face scrunched in confusion and disbelief.
I sighed. “I didn’t see the need to tell any of you because it wasn’t serious then, but now—”
“Are you fucking serious, Z?” he snapped, cutting me off. I could feel the anger vibrating off of him. “My brother?”
“Devil—”
He shot to his feet, rushing toward the door as he gritted out, “I’m gonna fucking kill him.”
Before he could pull the door open, I rushed past him to stand between him and the doorframe. “Devil—”
