Page 455 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

Alek nods. “We’ve had a few run-ins with them back East,” he says, looking at Kaz. “We ready for their retaliation against our syndicate partners?”

Kaz’s blue eyes glitter and the guy practically foams at the mouth at the thought of destroying them. “Fuck, yeah.”

“They’re after something,” Matteo says. “We thought Conor crossed them, that he needed money to pay a debt. But Dante found out tonight that he’s working with them…and against us.”

Alek and Kaz exchange a look. “You know, I’m just gonna say that ever since you guys took our offer and joined the syndicate, we spend a lot of time cleaning up your crap.”

Kaz shrugs. “Eh, it’s an excuse to fuck shit up. Besides, we knew it when we let them in.”

Alex rolls his eyes at Kaz. “With you around, I’m sure there will be plenty of times they’ll have to return the favor.

Kaz chuckles and I press my fingertips to my temple. Matteo still paces, staring at his watch every few seconds.

I walk over to Matteo while Sergio gets Kaz and Alek a drink. I text Patty and Heaven but neither one responds. Tiny hairs on my arms stand at attention. I don’t like this radio silence at all.

“They’re gonna help us, thank fuck. But it doesn’t change the fact that I did miss things. Hell, I missed everything. I blame myself entirely,” I say to Matteo in a hushed voice.

Matteo sighs. “Look, I’m sorry for leveling you like that. We all missed things. We knew there was a threat, and we should have worked harder to uncover it. We snoozed on the Conor thing for too long, and that’s where we messed up. I was too preoccupied about keeping it from Heaven to really turn this situation on its ear.”

I grimace. “What the hell does that sicko want, Matty? Why is he here? And how the hell does the bratva fit in? We didn’t want to start a war months ago, and we don’t need one now. Are they still out for blood because of that standoff we had at Roman’s? Did they use Conor to get close to us? And now that they’re inside, what are they after?”

“I don’t know,” Matteo grunts. “But I would really like for Patty to get back here with the girls. You’re sure they looked like they were staying at the restaurant once you left, right?”

“Yeah, but who the hell knows where those crews are lurking? I’m gonna go look for Patty and the girls.”

“What about Anya? Will she come here looking for you?”

I nod. “And when she does, we’ll handle her. She’s about to become our leverage.”

I storm over to the door and pull it open, stalking down the hallway as it slams shut behind me.

Anya, her words, her expressions — it was all bullshit. Lies!

It meant nothing.

She never gave a damn about me.

I was just part of a job.

A pawn in her insidious little game.

I grit my teeth.

But she doesn’t know that now, I control the board. And her strategy is about to go up in smoke.

Because we all know one thing.

Nobody who tries to hurt us survives long enough to tell their tale of victory.

Victory will be fuckingours.

CHAPTER26

ANYA

Conor puts his hand on my arm just as I’m about to pull the door handle and let myself out of his car. I can’t get away from his toxic cloud fast enough, and the longer I sit here, the more it chokes me.

“Remember what I told you, Anya. You’ll get my call tomorrow morning. If you pull a fast one before that, your uncle is dead.” His lips curl up into an evil smile. “Eyes and ears. Don’t forget.”

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