Page 76 of Blood on Ice

Vito looked like he wanted to murder them. “Zeke is not going to be involved.”

“But you think we should try the second plan?”

“Yes, but we’re not using Zeke or anyone else as bait.”

I glanced at the time. I needed to leave, but I didn’t want to. Vito was struggling to restrain himself, and I had no idea what kind of insanity he might agree to.

“I’m sorry to leave early, but I have to get to the arena to do my pre-game workout.”

“Of course,” Dom said. “I’ll have one of my men drive you.”

I glanced at Vito. “I’ll take you if you need me to.”

I couldn’t ask him to leave. He needed to be here making plans, so I lied. “I’ll be fine.”

I reached out my hand and he squeezed it.

“We’ll take care of him,” Val assured me.

“Thanks.”

Vito huffed. “I can take care of myself. Zeke, I’ll call you when we’re done here.”

“And tell me everything you have planned?”

He frowned. “I’ll tell you everything you need to know.”

“Which won’t be a tenth of what you’re planning.”

“See,” Liam said. “It’s not just me who gets irritated at being left out.”

“Don’t even think about calling Peter on this one,” Lucien said.

Liam just smiled. “We’ll see.”

“And if everyone’s going to be busy, then I suppose I should go to the game tonight. I could bring Peter with me.”

“We’re not leaving the arena unguarded.”

“Obviously,” Pops said. “We’ll figure out the details.”

“My main goal is to get rid of Benito and make sure Zeke is safe from any further harassment. Whatever it takes to do that needs to be part of the plan.”

Pops laid a hand on my arm. “We’ll discuss the scope, but those are our goals as well.”

Vito surprised me by rising from his chair and pulling me into his arms. “Be careful. We’ve got plenty of men watching you, but you watch your back too.”

“I will.”

27

VITO

Ihated watching Zeke walk out the door. I wanted to be the one to drive him to practice. I wanted to be the one by his side all day. I couldn’t believe he would even suggest using himself at bait. His number one goal was to be a star in the NHL. He couldn’t put that at risk. We were here to do that for him.

That meant I had to stay and work on the plan so I could be the one to choke the life out of Benito. He’d hurt my man. I wanted him to pay for that; I wanted him to hurt. If I could kill him and bring him back to life so I could kill him again, I would do it.

“What’s that smile for?” Val asked.

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