Page 20 of Brutal Mercy

She releases my hand with a tremulous smile and lays down. And I fight every instinct blaring inside me, telling me I should stay and comfort her and not leave her alone in her present state. That I should stay with her until she falls asleep. But there’s no time.

Time is of the essence. Swift action is called for.

She’ll be safe here. She’ll want for nothing for the rest of her life. All she’ll have to give up is her freedom.

Swiveling around, I exit the room before her lure has me avoiding my responsibilities. And it pains me because before the night is done, the trust she so innocently bestows upon me, the way she gazes at me as if I’m a hero, will vanish as if it never existed.

And she will come to understand it was not her savior she ran to, but the devil himself who will drag her down into the darkness with him.

***

Hours later, I lean back in my seat behind my desk and glance at Ares.

He runs his hand over his head with a stunned look. “This is fucking crazy, even for you.”

“When has that ever stopped me?” We deal in crazy. It’s how we’ve survived this long. By taking risks that make other men shit themselves. I know it’s a huge fucking risk that could backfire spectacularly.

“And you’re certain this is the direction you want to go? I’m with you no matter what you decide.”

Ares has always stood by my side. He’s more than my brother. More than my second in command. He’s my best friend. There’s no one on this planet I trust more. We’ve fought at each other’s backs our entire lives. There’s no one more lethal or devoted to the cause.

We make a fuck ton of money. We take care of the people in our community.

But to enact this campaign, I need his backing more than ever.

“Yes. It’s time to take them out. Remove their operation from the chessboard in Denver. Because I’ve had it confirmed that Marco was expelled from the Mexican branch and is on his own. There won’t be repercussions from the head organization for eliminating him. In fact, they put a hit out on him. And this will give me the ammunition I need to launch our attack.” I shrug. “It won’t be a hardship.”

Far from it. I’ve thought of little else as I outlined the details of my plans to strike down the cartel and expel them from my city.

“And you think she’ll agree?”

“I know she will. As soon as it’s finished, I want you out hunting. You have the images and know what she looks like. Use them. Track them down. Find her. And do what I need you to.”

“And in the meantime?”

“Hang out until I text you. It shouldn’t be long.” Because I have a feeling with the headspace she’s in, she won’t fight me and will accept my offer. She’ll understand there’s no other way to save her sister.

“You’re that confident.” Ares arches a brow.

“I am.” I didn’t get where I am now on luck alone. I know how to manipulate situations in my favor. And I did my research on Luna. Without her sister, she’s alone in the world. And from the looks of her house and the store, it was all she had in the world. She’s up to her eyeballs in debt. What I’m offering her is a way out and a life of ease she’s never known. She’ll never have to work another day in her life if she so chooses. “It will work.”

“All right, then. If you’re that confident, let’s do it.” Ares leans back in his seat. “I’ll get a bead on where they’re holding her first. And apprise you of the situation before I make a move to go in and grab her.”

“No, if it’s safe, get her out of there. If you need more than just you to get her out, then we’ll have to plan more. Until go time this evening, you can hang out in here if you want and get the door when Father Rosario arrives.” I rise from my chair, ready to get this next part over with. “I’m stopping by the kitchen before I head to my room.”

“Still can’t believe you’re doing this. We’ve done some crazy things in our day, but this tops them all.”

Neither can I, but needs must. It’ll serve a purpose. We waited and planned for potential contingencies for years, creating preparations for the time to strike when the opportunity presented itself. It’s not like how I imagined it happening. But I’m working with the hand I’ve been dealt. And I doubt it will be a hardship.

Stepping into the kitchen, I am assailed with mouthwatering aromas. Rosa Rossi is at the restaurant-style stove. Her husband served my father. And when her husband died, she had nowhere else to go. One thing I won’t do is allow my people to starve or face uncertain hardship. To save her pride, I hired her as my personal live-in cook. She has her own suite of rooms on the property and spends her days cooking for me and my men. We all fucking adore her.

Best fucking decision I ever made. Rosa’s food is fucking divine. She makes the best goddamn red sauce from scratch and is a gifted cook. My nose picks up the yeasty goodness of her rolls in the oven, and I want to get on my knees in thanks.

“Ah, Rosa, you spoil me.”

Her round cherub face turns with an indulgent smile. “Ah, Signore Massimo, I am making your favorite.”

“I know. I can smell it. How soon will dinner be ready?”

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