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“Yes, we do. The shipment will go out tonight as anticipated. Perhaps you can have some of your men at the port if for no other reason than to highlight our alliance. You know how news travels.”

He anticipated there being an issue, but was fearful of telling me.

“I’ll see what I can do. In the meantime, I’ll head to the warehouse and see what I can find.”

“Why don’t you take Drago with you. He’s gruff around the edges until you weed through the armor. I heard you were a little like that yourself.”

I laughed. “News does travel fast. I’ll make a point of taking him with us.”

Don Lupini’s eyebrows shot up. “Why don’t you do this alone? Just the two of you.”

“Bad blood?”

“Let’s just say your instincts are correct. I wouldn’t want to put them in a locked room together. Only one would come out alive.”

* * *

Twilight was fast approaching. The day had turned out to be more of a shitshow than anything.

I continued to think about my visit with Louis. I wanted to feel for the man, but I didn’t. Maybe what I’d told him had been right. There was no sign of a conscience left. I would eventually search his shed for the information, but the possibility it was a trap was currently too high.

“I don’t know why the fuck I’m forced to take you under my wing.” Drago hadn’t spoken a word since we’d left Lupini’s estate.

“Because Don Lupini believes the sun rises and sets on your fat ass. However, I do not. In my mind, you could lose a little weight.”

I almost expected him to wreck the car he was driving out of anger. When he burst into laughter, I slowly turned my head, staring at him. He was driving a huge black Dodge Ram instead of some muscle car like I would have expected. While wearing a suit, he’d yanked off his jacket, pulling down his tie so he could unfasten the top button on his shirt.

He’d yanked at the tie more than once since we’d left.

“That’s what my girl keeps telling me, but I can’t stop eating her cooking.”

Hearing the change in his tone almost allowed me to smile. “There’s nothing wrong with a woman who can cook.”

“Right? I keep telling the Don that.” He chuckled again, his smile fading. “I don’t like you. You don’t like me. But apparently, we’re forced to work together.”

“Apparently, you’re right. I’ve heard you’re the best at what you do and I appreciate that.” While I understood the reasons the Don had asked me to help, the entire situation had my hackles raised. Almost as if the entire theft was a setup.

Without backup, I was taking a risk the opportunity would be too tempting to ignore, but I’d had Gio check with the cargo ship before speaking with Lupini’s men assigned to security for the night.

Besides, Don Lupini had asked for my full trust and I had to give it to him.

“I’ve heard you’re a narc and if that’s true, I will kill you myself.”

Proving my worth by using a heavy dose of testosterone irritated the hell out of me, but I’d learned it was often necessary. Especially in a pinch.

I grabbed his tie, wrapped the material around my fisted hand, and yanked. He almost wrecked the truck, fighting to maintain some sense of control as I twisted the tie until his face turned beet red.

“Fuck. Fuck!” He slammed his hand on the steering wheel.

“I don’t think I need to explain to a man in your position how insulting it is to be confused with some filthy, deceptive assholes who think their shit doesn’t stink. Now, I’ve had enough of your bullshit.”

He’d managed to slow the truck, narrowly avoiding causing a wreck. When he pulled over, I didn’t try to stop him. He finally took his hands off the wheel, gasping for breath, but relenting to my control.

“Fuck this shit.” I finally let him go, pushing him with enough force that he was pitched against the driver’s door.

I didn’t bother pulling a gun on him. Maybe it was my way of ensuring he knew I was disgusted. After coughing for a full minute, he cleared his throat. “While I was only half joking, I don’t like shitholes pretending like they’re better than everyone else.”

“Maybe we have something in common, Drago. Neither do I. So please, remove the goddamn tie. Wearing a suit isn’t in your best interest.”

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