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“You had a nice plan from the start. Work with the Russians on one side, corrupt members of the DEA on the other. The best of both worlds. You were promised immunity for allowing DEA agents to obtain access to secure facilities, even looking the other way when they robbed from both organizations. But someone was asking questions. Weren’t they? That’s why you poisoned Don Santorelli, a man who’d been like a father to you.” That much was absolutely true.

Both groups of men were already antsy, the heat in the space becoming explosive.

“Is that fuckin’ true, Gio?” Tommy asked. He was already moving toward my ex-Capo, the weapon no longer pointed at the women.

“It’s a fucking lie. He is a liar!” Oh, good. Gio was making the point easier by coming unhinged.

“You allowed Dion to be shot because you knew he was loyal to a fault. You’d never be able to turn him.” I walked closer, never allowing my eyes to leave his face.

He tried to laugh it off, shifting from foot to foot again. “It’s all a lie. I was protecting my men and my Don against you. You killed Don Santorelli.”

“I was nowhere close, but you were. You had a conversation with the Don in his study. You had access to the drug used. And you lied about Bronco. You said he was at the estate when no one saw him there. Big mistakes, Gio.” I grinned and took two additional steps toward him.

“I’ll kill the bitches if you come closer,” Gio snapped.

I noticed Rocco backed away from his position guarding the women. The uncertainty in his eyes matched that of almost every other man in the room.

“If that fucking shit is true, you’re dead,” Drago snarled at Gio, lifting his weapon and pointing the barrel at Gio’s forehead.

“You know what, Gio? I even have you on tape talking about how you’re wasting your men and how stupid they were for following your every order.” I shook my head.

It was a trick I had no clue would work, but the men he’d conned into betraying all of us crowded even closer.

“You promised us money. Where is it?” Mark asked. He was even more pissed.

“I’ll get it for you. Soon. Not fucking now.” Gio shook his head, suddenly turning in a full circle to realize he was surrounded. The men I’d brought with me were inching closer as well.

“No, Gio. Now. This wasn’t about killing people. And these assholes are Russian?”

The four unknown men suddenly backed off in formation, raising their rifles toward the very men who were supposed to be on their team.

This could be a fucking bloodbath.

Gio pointed his weapon at me, realizing I had him in the crosshairs. When I pulled out the grenade, yanking the pin, everyone in the room took a step away. “I would be very careful if I were you. I do know what I’m doing with this. A live grenade can do some serious damage.”

“You wouldn’t hurt your wife. You can’t fool me.”

“You’re going to try it? When I did a stint in the military, they didn’t call me unraveled for nothing.”

There was a hitch in his actions and I hadn’t been prepared for Rocco to fire the first shot.

His aim was damn good, the single bullet hitting Gio in the chest.

“Do not kill him,” I commanded. “The fucker is all mine.”

I backed away, not to leave, but to save the women. Gunfire pinged against the walls as I rushed toward the two women, shocked that Drago was providing any help.

I shoved the grenade into my pocket. It seemed I hadn’t needed it all.

“Oldest trick in the book,” Drago growled. “A dummy explosive.”

“You think I’m an idiot?”

“Clever. Well played. However, I don’t know what to think about you… Agent Sanchez.”

I untied Carmella, pulling her into my arms. “That man is dead and buried. My name is Alejandro Banderas. Don Banderas.”

Drago eased Maria to her feet, narrowing his eyes. Suddenly, the men ceased fire. Now they were all looking at the four of us.

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