Page 86 of Delivered in White

Diamond and Naomi scurry toward the goon holding the door open for them.

Theclackof Nicky’s loafers looms like a ticking clock.

He’s making his way closer to me.

Closer.

“That’senough!” Bruno steps forward, and five guns cock on him.

Nicky laughs at the sight. “Is this really where you want to die, Bruno? Like a James Bond villain with your big hot woman at your side? I guess there are worse ways.”

“Turn around, Frits. Take a walk. We can work this out another way, another time,” Bruno warns. But it’s obvious in this man’s eyes that he wants nothing to do with reason. He wants revenge.

Bang!

I gasp when Bruno shouts andthumpsonto the floor. Charlie and Gil’s hands do nothing to stop me from popping upright. “Bruno!”

Chestnut is over him, but I can’t see the extent of the damage. A portion of the bar is blocking him.

“Ah, there she is.” Nicky smiles for the first time, extending his arms outward, smoking gun in one hand. “The woman of the hour.”

My friends stand up protectively, but I hold out my arms to stop them from stepping in front. This is my father’s mess.Mymess. No one should have to suffer because of us.

“You were a tricky thing to find,Cipriana. It’s like everyone associated with Sonny’s disappearance vanished without a trace.Poof!”

He shoots the ceiling again, and I twitch, plugging my ringing ears.

“Everyone butyou.” He stalks over to me.

“Call an ambulance!” I cry to the civilians, only to receive a swift smack to the face.

My vision swims with stars as I catch myself on the bar.

“No, no, no. That’s not how this is going to go.” Nicky pulls me by the hair, pointing the gun at my friends in case they dare to interfere. He lifts my chin ever so gently. I’m terrified of what follows. “Look at me, Cipriana.”

My eyes struggle to focus. I’m terrified to breathe, to think.

His voice rattles like Stanzo’s – it’s like killing enough people makes these men resemble death itself.

“Bruno,” I yelp, and he laughs.

“The less you resist, the greater his chances of surviving.” He runs a finger down my face. “So soft. I see why he wanted you.”

I shiver, my face pulsing from the slap.

“Do you know how I found you?” Nicky pulls me closer, then raises his eyebrows, motioning to everyone behind me. “That’s right.Them. I knew if I bugged them, they’d be the best way to get some information.” He laughs again. “But in my wildest dreams… I never thought they’d lead me straight to you.”

“Capri,”Jacky cries behind me. “I’m sorry.”

“Quiet!”Nicky points the gun at her, and she cowers to the floor, wrapping both arms around my leg while shivering like a leaf. He focuses back on me. “You have one way out of this,” his rattling voice lowers. “Onefuckingway. Think carefully before you answer, Cipriana.Where the fuck is Sonny Lucrazi?”

“I’ve—I’ve never heard of him,” I answer fast, shaking my head.

Whack!

Nicky backhands me so hard I nearly fall to the floor, but then he catches my arm and whips me right back up. Tears of pain trickle down my face. I’m clenching my teeth to stop from yelping.

“Where’s Rocco, Cipriana? Where’s your father?” Nicky is so close I can taste his cappuccino-ridden breath. I feel like a hungry wolf is sniffing out his next meal.

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