Page 50 of Shot For Mercy

I just have to keep reminding myself that this is what I wanted—what I’ve wanted for years—and it’s finally coming true.

“Don’t,” Emiliano says softly. “Don’t go out there and make a scene just because she’s here.”

I nod slowly. “Alright, Em.”

He nods too now. “Let’s get this over with.”

I get out of the SUV and he does too, rounding it and grabbing my hand, tugging me toward his brothers. He links our fingers together, and my heart flips in my chest. They all look at us, but there’s no surprise on their faces. Instead, they look relieved. Like they were waiting for this.

“Amy,” I breathe, and she lunges herself at me. She’s crying, and when she pulls away, I frown. “What’s wrong?”

“They gave me a note, Cole.” Her voice trembles. “And it was for you. They want you.”

“I heard,” I tell her. “It’s all going to be okay.”

“It happened right after you left,” she whispers. “They knew you were here. Probably burned the place down because they thought you were in here.”

Em’s hand squeezes mine roughly, and I look over at him. His eyes are wide, and he looks scared.

“You’re done wandering, Cole,” he tells me. “From now on, you don’t leave my side.”

I huff. “I’m not a child, Emiliano. You can’t keep me attached to your hip.”

“Watch me,” he says through gritted teeth. “You’re mine, and I’ll protect you at all costs. Don’t make me handcuff you to my bed. I’ll fucking do it.”

Giovanni chuckles, then says, “Kinky.”

Even Amy smirks, then winks at me. “He has a point, Cole,” she murmurs. “You’re not safe.”

“I haven’t been safe for years.” I sigh. “I can handle myself.”

“That’s what you think,” Alessandro says. “But this is war now. And they’ll do whatever it takes to win it. Now that they’ll know they didn’t get you in there, they’ll do whatever it takes to get their revenge. Especially now that they struck first. They know we’ll retaliate.”

“Blood will flow like a river in New York City,” Emiliano declares. “Nobody touches what’s mine.”

“Andrey needs to die,” I tell them with a sigh, and Emiliano grunts his agreement. “It won’t be over until that happens.”

Alessandro shakes his head. “No fucking way. Then they’ll really want your head.”

“What do you suggest, then?” Emiliano asks.

“That we lay low,” Alessandro replies.

“We’re not laying low.” Em laughs loudly. “They just burned down my business. Are you fucking kidding me, Alex?”

“It was just a suggestion.” Alessandro sighs. “But you’re too hot-headed.”

“No.” Emiliano shakes his head, and I look at Amy, who seems terrified. She’s looking around at the wreckage. Probably wondering how she’s going to survive now without a job. Fuck. “I’ve never been more level-headed in my life. I can see things clearly now. It’s time for them to know who the fuck is in charge of this city.”

“And that’s us?” Tony asks.

Giovanni shoves him with a grin. “Of course it’s us, dumbass.”

Lorenzo is just quietly staring at all of us.

“The brothel will be rebuilt.” Alessandro announces, and we all nod in unison. “The firefighters declared that gasoline was at play, so the insurance company should pay for it.”

“I want it even bigger and better than the last one,” Em says.

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