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“It’s all a fucking goat rodeo right now. Nothing makes sense and nobody will stay in their fucking pens.”

I put my hands and cards on the table. “Enzo’s in Italy or will be soon.” Mark leans forward. “He’s chasing Gia, now.”

His eyebrow quirks up while he turns the phone over in his hand. “Your sister. Why?”

“She’s got a fuck ton of men around her, but he won’t hesitate to attack his…” I use air quotes, “…Mother if it will bring me out.” I pause and take a draw on my cigar.

“Smells like a trap.”

“Lou will protect her with his life. He told Poppy he was doing it all for G. Gia. As long as Enzo believes Lou’s kissed the ring, the two of them are safe.”

I’ll make sure they’re both in the castle on the other side of the world before I stalk Enzo and flay the skin from that piece of shit’s body for touching my wife. I shift in my chair, and we’re back to playing chicken with information. I trust this man, but he is holding back.

“Eye for an eye, fucking G-man,” I say. He sits down, putting his hands on the table and leans toward me. “Your turn.”

He leans back and says, “There’s some global shit. Don’t go to Italy. Wait. Fucker. He came in through Poppy’s port.”

“What?” My voice is a little louder than it should be for this late or early. It’s almost sunup.

“They ferried in on a container ship from Mexico. Helicoptered out to the freighter that’s sitting in international waters.”

Mark blows out a big breath. “And I think Lou’s with Cady, not Enzo. Lou was on the container ship.” I pick up my empty glass and smash it against this fucking house that belongs to the devil we can’t seem to pin down. Mark doesn’t flinch. His eyes are so steady as he leans forward.

“Fuck. Why the hell didn’t you tell me my sister isn’t protected?”

“You don’t know he’s not with Gia.” He picks up his phone. He rattles off a bunch of codes I probably shouldn’t hear. “Clearance Bravo Tango 330987 Echo.”

I roll my eyes at this shit.

He flips me off. “Location of Ludovico Tatataglia. Request 5694. Last known coordinates…” I stand up and walk around as the sun breaks all around us. The day is new, but the shit is the same. He hangs up.

“They spotted him in Rome, without Cady. Happy?”

“Two roads diverged in the woods and all that shit,” I say, knowing he’s got to report back to Langley then start over. “You got your objective and I have mine.”

“Sit the fuck down. You can’t go. There’s more.”

I pace, scrubbing my face and scratching at my dark stubble. He sips slowly then sighs like the weight of the world lives on his shoulders. “You know I have to tell Interpol. I can’t fucking see the strings, though. I can only see the fucking highlight right now and it’s driving me mad. I have to collar Lou.” Mark says and I’m fucking pissed.

“If he’s still with them, there’s a reason.” I grit out. “Lou’s always been in love with my sister. Cady must have found out Enzo’s a bastard. I’m happy he’s on consecrated soil. The old guard Italian Families will help if he asks.”

Word is the syndicate doesn’t care for my fake nephew.

Mark clears his throat. “We won’t have support. At least not traditional support going forward. And any resources I have will need to be allocated elsewhere. I need to--”

A voice comes from the sliding glass door. I don’t know how long she’s been there. “Mark. You do what you have to, but my husband and are leaving right the fuck now.”

That’s my woman. “What’s happened?”

“Nothing. I just heard all this bullshit. You know exactly where we have to go, and we’re packed. You will not be stashing me away like a princess. Gia won’t stand for that either, you know.”

“I fucking love you.”

“I know.”

Mark’s voice goes deep, “Fuck. There’s a better path right now if I can fucking find the man. Lou will protect Gia. You have to listen to me.”

I don’t yell at this man often but this time there can be no confusion. “No. I do not have to listen. I will have your six as soon as I can. You know that. Right here, we got a difference of direction if our interests align. And you sure as shit better have my fucking back if I call.”