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When I looked back, the Russians were dead, two of the men I’d once thought loyal down. While Gio was bleeding profusely, his chest was rising and falling. The fucker was still alive.

Carmella clung to me, her breath skipping.

“I knew you’d come. But how did you find me?” she asked, her body shaking. “The asshole crushed my phone.”

“Tracking device in your back pocket, Firesong. I had no plans on letting you out of my sight.” As I lowered my head, I dared risk even more by taking the time to capture her mouth.

There were no other sounds, no movement, but I sensed weapons were pointed at me.

When I broke the sweet moment, she rubbed my cheek. “I love you, my husband.”

The tension in the warehouse was clear. A defining moment and one I’d always anticipated being forced to face. But not in this manner.

Drago shifted his attention to the other men before allowing his angry gaze to fall to Gio’s bloodied body. “There’s our traitor.”

It took the other men a few seconds of looking amongst themselves before Rocco spit on Gio. “Fucking bastard.”

“You’re safe. I thought you were dead,” Maria whispered.

“I’m not ready to die yet,” I told her, kissing Carmella on the lips once again as I squeezed Maria’s hand.

While a part of me loathed what needed to be done in front of them, there was no other choice. I headed toward Gio, keeping my weapon lowered. The remaining men backed away, all watching me intently.

Gio was wheezing. “What did I tell you, Gio? Loyalty has many definitions. You chose to bite the hand that fed you. I chose to embrace the arms that held me.” I didn’t waste any time, firing a single bullet between his eyes.

There was utter silence in the room as I turned to face the soldiers, taking a few seconds to look each one of them directly in the eyes.

Drago continued staring at me, finally allowing his gaze to shift to Carmella.

“La lealtà viene spesso tradita da coloro di cui ci fidiamo di più. Il rispetto è guadagnato ed è un privilegio e quest’uomo merita il nostro rispetto.”

Carmella’s voice was clear. She pushed away from me, purposely locking eyes with every man left standing in the room. Her words meant more than I would be able to tell her.

Loyalty is often betrayed by those we trust most. Respect is earned and a privilege and this man deserves our respect.

Drago cleared his throat. “What do you want us to do, Don Banderas?”

I lifted my head, giving him a nod of respect. The gauntlet had been lowered, the decision about my future made. There would be no going back.

Not that I wanted to.

“Let’s get the place cleaned up,” I told everyone. “We have a shipment to deal with.”

“Yes, sir. Whatever you say, boss.”

CHAPTER34

Alejandro

“Follow through with adding more security cameras at every location. Just precautionary for now so don’t go hunting Russians.” I laughed, but I could tell by the expressions both Drago and Rocco wore that the idea of picking off the Bratva one by one weighed on their minds.

The Pakhan had attempted to create a coup already, but in doing so had lost at least ten soldiers. He’d yet to address he’d had a few defect to the Cosa Nostra. I certainly didn’t feel sorry for the asshole. He’d earned the loss. The man was a prick, but I knew where he lived, where he worked, and where he played.

He and I would have a face-to-face meeting within the upcoming days.

And he certainly wouldn’t like the outcome.

I sat back in the seat, staring up at the ceiling as I swiveled the chair. I’d spent more time at the corporate offices the last three weeks than I’d intended, but business had to continue.

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