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“Fuck. This is such a bad idea, but I do know you well enough you’ll fucking try and follow me. Come on.” We both grabbed jackets on the way to the door. As soon as I moved outside, I bristled the moment Bronco jogged toward us. “What now?”

“Alarms are going off at Don Santorelli’s estate. Some men were seen trespassing. They’ve been chased.”

“Fuck.” I gave Carmella a glare she seemed to understand. She was to remain right where she was. Fortunately, she didn’t try to fight me. I also half jogged toward Gio, who just ended a call.

“Fuck, boss. The men talk like there’s a dozen dudes with extreme firepower. They managed to shoot one of them, but the fucker didn’t go down. A chest full of bullets and the fucker ran.”

“A bulletproof vest,” I said absently.

“Feds?”

“Maybe, although we’ve worn them from time to time. Head to Santorelli’s immediately. Take out everyone you can.”

“What about you?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll head there after I handle another crisis. Don’t worry, Gio. I can handle myself.”

He threw a look over his shoulder toward Carmella. Taking her with me breached almost every syndicate protocol. At this point, I’d broken every single rule ever written on a piece of paper.

“I don’t like leaving you alone.” Gio was obviously shaken. It wasn’t every month we’d engaged in an active attack. In truth, other than a few isolated incidents, the regime had experienced relative peace.

“This won’t take long. Keep me updated.”

“Okay, boss. If that’s what you want.”

I nodded toward Carmella and we both headed toward the breezeway leading to the detached garage. I’d at least thought to bring my truck, the vehicle I’d purchased right before being formally introduced to the Santorelli regime. It was a tank and I’d already had the steel reinforced, the glass mostly bulletproof. With four-wheel drive and extended cab, it would be both large and safe enough to escape with Maria and Jessica.

If I wasn’t too late.

“There’s one thing. I want my son back in my arms.” Carmella made the statement the moment she slipped into the cab.

“I’m not certain if that’s a good idea.” I shoved the duffle between us, immediately starting the engine.

“This isn’t a request.” She yanked on her seatbelt, not bothering to look me in the eye.

At this point, there was no sense in arguing with her.

I sped out of the garage and up the driveway, Gio following closely behind. He’d ask more questions later, but at this point, any concern about answering them also wasn’t foremost in my mind.

Only one remained.

Saving my family.

* * *

“I was followed home, Jeff. There are men here. They followed me!”

Maria’s voice was close to being hysterical. But she’d called me.

“Go to the safe room,” I told her.

“What’s going on?”

“I’ll tell you after I take you to a safe location.”

“Jeff!”

“How many men, Maria?”

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