Page 256 of Niccolo

After I woke Dario and Adriano, we all went to the parlor. I had six foot soldiers stand guard just in case.

Just in casewhat, I didn’t know – but I was fucking paranoid at the moment.

I researched San Michele on the internet and printed up maps. Lars was going to need them if Massimo couldn’t be dissuaded from his suicidal plan.

As Dario, Adriano, and I waited, we pored over the maps and discussed the situation.

I was against attacking San Michele. It was obviously a trap, and a vicious one.

Adriano was 100% for it. He argued that Massimo was going after the woman he loved – however crazy that sounded to us right now – and that nothing would stop him, so wehadto back him up.

Since Lars had been Special Operations, Dario wanted to hear his opinion before the final decision.

Just after 2AM, we heard a car drive up outside.

A minute later, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in!” I called out.

I was overjoyed. Lars was our ace in the hole – our secret weapon.Hehad been the key to our family’s survival over the last three weeks. The fact that he was home filled me with confidence that we could bring back Massimo unharmed.

I started speaking before Lars was even all the way inside the room. “Thank God you’re here! Massimo’s in trouble and – ”

I suddenly stopped.

Lars had his arm around a woman –

A very attractivebrunette, tall and athletic.

I frowned.

This was not part of the fucking plan!

He hadn’t mentioned anything about a woman on the phone!

“Who’s this?” I asked, displeased at being blindsided.

For the first time since I’d met him, Lars seemed nervous.

“Everyone, this is Rachel. My – ”

Rachel –

“BAUER?!” I roared. “The woman who tried to KILL DARIO?!”

Adriano was the first to react.

Less than a second later, his gun was pointed at the woman’s head.

The woman tensed –

And then Lars stepped in between her and Adriano.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” he said, holding up his arms. “Hold on – ”

The foot soldiers were still frozen in place.

Made sense. Lars was their general – the man they trusted with their lives.

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