Page 67 of Tango

Grim studied me hard for a few beats then moved past me without another word.

“Jesus.” I let go of the breath I held. I had managed to dodge that bullet.

Cole’s voice came into my ear. “We’re moving into position.” It made me breathe easier. My brothers were close.

I shook off the last few minutes and made my way to the ‘party’ room. I snagged a glass of gin and tonic off a tray as I entered and nearly choked on the smooth drink when I caught sight of Trigger and his biker pals.

They looked like they just stepped out of a James Bond movie. It was a far cry from the ripped jeans, t-shirts, and leather cuts they normally wore. Trigger glared as he caught my expression, and I quickly shifted my attention elsewhere.

I looked around, taking note of who was where. Elio Capri and his cousins in their flashy tailored suits and shoes that probably cost the price of a car were on one side. I noticed Vinni kept a close eye on Trigger and wondered if they had history.

I scanned the faces and wondered if she was here among the dirty rich. Talya was my weak spot, and I couldn’t pretend not to hope she’d be here, yet at the same time hoped she wasn’t.

Chili kept his distance. He talked to Roman, doing his part by keeping him near the window. Alejandro and Filippo were nowhere to be seen. I hoped they’d make like wall flowers and stay out of the way.

“Good evening.” Castillo stood at his beloved podium like the God he thought he was. “Tonight is about making a statement that you can’t touch the best of the best.” I swallowed back my scoff. “I am the best, and I’m here tonight to prove that.” He held out his arms to the room.

I felt eyes on me and caught Grim’s intense gaze. He was hard to read, and I’d known even before my talk with Trigger that he was a dangerous man and not someone to trifle with. I nodded at him to try to deflect him. I wished I knew what went through his head in that moment. He was popular with the ladies, and once again I was glad Talya wasn’t on his arm. Tonight, he seemed to be alone and was focused on me.

“Please, everyone, enjoy a drink,” Castillo called, and I pulled my eyes from Grim. “I only need a moment, as my friend has arrived.” He motioned to me as he stepped down, and I hesitated then followed him. Chili caught my eye just as I stepped out of the room.

“Moving to the office. Castillo’s ahead of me,” I whispered.

“Copy that,” Beckett said over the radio, as he was second in command.

As I followed Castillo, a door opened and one of his men entered with Rosa Coppola. She looked frail, but her eyes told a different story as she took me in. She was ushered toward the stairs.

“Those stairs are steep, Mrs. Coppola. Step carefully.” I addressed her clearly so our guys would hear and know where they were taking her.

“Shut the damn door!” Castillo ordered as he swung around and stuck a finger in my face. “Where the hell is the girl?” Two of his men pointed their weapons at me. I knew our snipers were close by with their scopes focused on this room. I put a hand up to my ear to make sure they knew not to shoot. I needed to control the scenario.

“Castillo, take it easy. I came to this party because you asked me to. I’m here unarmed, and I want the same outcome you do. You’ll get the girl. All I want to know is who the hell ambushed me that night in town.”

“How dare you try to play me!” he shouted like a child. “Prove to me she’s here.” His face turned red. I nodded and moved to the window then motioned for him to come and look.

“Red truck, by the curb.” It took everything inside me not to smirk at Mark in his wig and coat as he sat in the front seat. He sat low in the seat to downplay his size. He played his part well as he wiggled around and held his “bound” wrists up to his mouth as if to try to untie them.

“Tell the bitch to look up at the window.”

“How? Should I yell? Or should I have given her a phone?” I snapped back. “Like I said, I came alone. You don’t believe me, send someone down there and find out for yourself.”

“Tomas, get her.” He waved a hand, and one of the men left the room.

“I kept my end of the bargain.” I folded my arms. “Now it’s your turn.”

“Fine.” He whirled on his heel and marched out the door, and his men followed us out. “If we’re going to do this, we’re doing it right.”

Castillo burst into the main room so quickly some of the guests jumped.

“We have a go, boys. I repeat, we have a go,” I said quietly while all the attention was on Castillo.

Castillo turned to look at me and raised his arms in the air. “You wanted answers on who ambushed you in the city that night?” he shouted so all could hear, and Trigger moved to stand close behind him. Elio nodded at his cousins across the room, and they slowly moved in. A vision of panthers in the night popped into my head. “Let me share with all of you just who that was.” He swept his arm with a flourish, and Grim stepped forward to take the spotlight.

What the hell?

“You think I didn’t figure you and Chili were playing me?” Castillo’s eyes flashed and his lips pulled back in a hideous grin. “A bonus death will be your appetizer for this evening, folks. The Blackstone wife, and now…” He let out a dramatic laugh as Grim stood with his gun pointed at me. Then in a smooth transition, Grim swung it in an arc so it now pointed directly at Castillo.

It all happened so fast. Trigger pulled a knife and went to slash it across Castillo’s neck, but Grim shot first and blew a hole in Castillo, just missing Trigger. Elio pushed a gun into my hand as I took cover. Shots flew as pandemonium broke out.

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