Page 95 of Above ’N’ Beyond

The cameras were still rolling, recording every word and every action. Even if he didn’t make it out of this, the FBI could still get enough to arrest everyone. For murdering a deputized federal agent. The only question was whether it would be enough to get his father paroled, and whether the FBI would still make good on its promise. If Jamie was dead, there’d be no one to hold them to it.

“Search him,” Paola ordered.

Before Tony had gotten to within three feet of Jamie, Jax lowered his head and growled. Marco pointed the muzzle of his gun at Jax.

“Jax, down!” Jamie ordered. If Marco pulled the trigger, all bets would be off. Jamie would launch at Marco and rip his throat out with his bare hands. Even if it was the last thing he ever did while his heart was still beating.

Still growling, Jax reluctantly lowered to the floor.

Tony grabbed Jamie’s shirt and ripped it down the front. Buttons flew, pinging against the wall. Tony patted Jamie’s chest through his T-shirt, then around to his back, lifting his suit jacket. He ran his hands down Jamie’s legs and pulled out the gun from the ankle holster.

Damn. One less gun for the good guys.

Hushed exclamations came from around the room. The four men from Italy stood near Salvatore Palumbo, saying something in Italian. Palumbo’s consigliere whispered in Palumbo’s ear. Probably that they should leave so they weren’t witnesses to a murder. Jamie’s murder.

Tony shoved Jamie’s gun behind his belt. “Fist, you fucker.” He reared back and coldcocked Jamie in the jaw.

He staggered but didn’t go down. Pain splintered the side of his face. Tony had a mean right hook. He balled his hands, knowing full well he could take Tony Mancuso any day. Today would be a bad day to prove it. He laughed bitterly. “Feel better now?”

Tony sneered. “I’ll feel better when I plow a dozen bullets in your skull.”

Palumbo cleared his throat. “We’ve seen enough, Paola. Thank you for the hospitality.”

Jamie understood the message. Paola’s “big splash” was a big bust. Allowing an undercover cop to infiltrate the family had just trashed her attempt to rise in the Palumbo ranks. Or, possibly, worse.

“Salvatore, wait!” Paola scurried after the man. “We can fix this. I assure you.” She threw Jamie a savage look over her shoulder. “Tony, Marco…take both of them from my sight and get rid of them. Permanently.”

Jamie’s heart thudded dully. He’d sent his message too late. If Bella was lucky, they’d kill her outright. The penalty for a cop who deigned to infiltrate the Mafia was automatic execution. After being tortured.

Chapter Thirty-Three

“Let me go!” Bella twisted in Marco’s grip as he resumed dragging her from the room.

Tony pulled the gun from his waistband and waved the muzzle at Jamie. “Move it, Fist.”

Heavy boots pounded in the hallway. Six enormous men wearing body armor vests that read Police and carrying long, deadly rifles burst through the door. A large white German shepherd flew in behind them. Two more dogs followed—one with a short brown-and-black coat, the other with long black fur. All the dogs wore vests with gold badges on the sides.

“Police! Get on the floor! Get on the floor!”

The two enforcers at the front of the room pivoted and raised their guns.

“Markus! Gun!” Jamie shouted, rushing one of the enforcers and taking him down.

The crack of a rifle rent the air. The other enforcer crumpled, a large red stain blossoming on his shirt.

Jax barked as he leaped to Jamie’s aid, clamping his mouth around the arm of the man Jamie had just tackled.

“Everyone, get down!” This from the man Jamie had referred to as Markus.

The two dogs raced around the room, barking and snapping their jaws. Most of the men in the room complied with the orders, getting to their knees, then lowering to the floor.

Except for Tony and Marco.

Marco held Bella in front of him like a human shield, his arm tightly around her waist.

Tony aimed his gun at Jamie’s back.

“Jamie!” Bella screamed.