Page 139 of Arranged

“This is personal,” I growled. “Gio wants me. He can have me.”

I stopped Drago before he left the room, giving him a hard stare. “What do you need to say to me?”

“Nothing except I know you’ve heard the shit about me, but I swear to fucking God, my men will keep the children safe and get them to Don Lupini. And I won’t let you down. We’ll find your wife. Don Banderas.”

Tilting my head, I nodded once. I wondered how he’d feel when he heard the truth about me.

And that would come out.

There was nothing like the stench of betrayal lingering in someone’s nose. It was the most repulsive odor of all. We were forced to work together. I had no idea how this was going to play out, but I was committed to the outcome.

The consequences didn’t bother me.

With the children secure, we headed out. There were no additional orders needed. The soldiers knew what they were looking for.

And what needed to be done.

I’d trusted Gio. Although he’d also trusted me. Neither one of us had been truthful to the other. But to place the children’s lives in danger and take two innocent women as hostages was unforgivable.

The van was traveling at a high rate of speed, but we were coming at him from all sides. I’d insisted on driving even though my anger was through the roof. With Drago keeping a close eye on the tracker, directing me like a drill sergeant, we started gaining on their position.

It was apparent Gio had managed to convince at least three other men to follow his lead. Bronco hadn’t been one of them. But Rocco was. The fucker had obviously been convincing. I could only imagine what had been offered. I’d known the moment I’d seen Bronco’s lifeless body that Gio had been prepared to pin everything on Drago. But what position did he think he was going to gain? Perhaps Lupini’s death was next.

He’d obviously gotten the idea to poison Don Santorelli because of the action Carmella had taken. The man was clever. I’d give him that.

And if he was working with the DEA, he knew everything about me. Including where my sister lived.

In using anyone else to hunt him down, I was risking my past life, but I just didn’t give a shit. As long as the two women were left alive, the children safe and secure in their beds, whatever happened to me was just fine. I’d accept my fate.

“Interesting. The van has stopped,” Drago told me.

“Where?”

“I’ll be damned. One of our lesser known warehouses. It’s just used as an auxiliary in case of an emergency. How did the fucker know about it?”

“You could have a mole as well.”

“Gio, the fucking slime.”

“The alliance set this up perfectly.” Sadly, it had. Two powerful organizations were never meant to work together. Not to this degree.

He sucked in his breath. “I’ll check everyone. And I’ll cut out the hearts of the men who betrayed us. Make a right onto Carver Boulevard.”

“Did you stop the shipment?”

“Lupini wasn’t happy, but I did.”

It was nothing but a setup. I’d bet all that I knew the DEA was waiting in the shadows. The corrupt agents could come off looking like heroes while absconding with millions of dollars in product.

“Don Lupini will understand when he learns his daughter is in danger.” Or so I hoped. If not, he and I would have words.

The warehouse was in a mostly deserted street, but the black van was pulled up in front. I slowed, keeping my distance. The other men followed my lead, turning off their headlights when we were close.

When we exited the vehicle, I grabbed the duffle I always kept packed, slipping several magazines of ammunition into my jacket. When I grabbed a grenade, Drago’s eyes opened wide.

“What the fuck? That’s dangerous, man.”

“Trust me, Drago. Just trust me.”

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