Page 40 of On Ice

“The Barone Syndicate is more powerful than any of the other syndicates in the city. If I say you live, then you live.” I’m exaggerating how easily things like this work, but in essence, it’s the truth. If I say I want Evan alive, no one will dare kill him. It’sjust that I’ll need to have an actualreason, especially after how he ignored my orders. Otherwise, I’ll look weak.

He narrows his eyes. “Okay, then tell them you want me alive, and I’ll just stay here.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Why not?” His stare is cold. “I thought you were the great Luca Barone. Just snap your fingers or something.”

I ignore how irritating his mocking tone is. “The epic size of your fuck-up isn’t something I can handle in a group text, Evan. I need to get you somewhere safe and then get the word out that you’re off limits.”

He studies me but then says, “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll just stay here.”

I’m used to being obeyed, so it takes a lot of effort not to yell at him, but I manage by the skin of my teeth. I count to ten and say, “This isn’t a joke. You need to come with me now, or you might be dead by morning.”

“God, what iswrongwith you people?” A shudder runs through him. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

“You started this, Evan.” I move closer to the back of the ambulance. “You’d have been safe if you’d just done what I told you to do.”

“Safe?” His laugh is borderline hysterical. “You’ve been threatening me practically since the minute I met you.”

“I can admit we’ve had a complicated relationship,” I murmur. “But right now, I’m the only person who can protect you.”

“I can just go to the police.” He lifts his chin.

I stiffen and say harshly, “I wouldn’t say stupid things like that if I were you. Not if you want to make it out of that ambulance alive.”

He swallows loudly.

“Besides…” I rub the back of my neck, frustrated with myself for losing my temper. I need to cajole him, not threaten him. “You wouldn’t be safe at the police station. My associates and I have connections everywhere, if you catch my drift. I’m telling you this for your own good, Evan. The safest place for you right now is with me.”

He widens his eyes. “How can you say that when you tried to have mekilled. Even now, you’re threatening me.”

I shift restlessly. “I don’t want to hurt you. I’m literally offering you my help. But if you’re going to go to the police, what recourse do I have? I can’t just let you do that. My hope is that you’ll use your brain and come with me. From there, I can try to figure out a way to satisfy my associates’ need for retribution that doesn’t involve you dying. That’s my goal.”

“Why all of a sudden do you want me alive?”

“I never really wanted you dead, but you disobeyed me.” I exhale roughly. “I couldn’t just ignore that.”

“But now you can?” he says harshly. “Bullshit. You just want me to come with you so you can finish the job. You said before you needed to make an example of me, or your associates would think you’re weak.”

I grit my teeth. “Yes, I did say that, and I meant it. It’s imperative that whatever I do to try and help you, I don’t look weak.” I glance around uneasily. “But I don’t have a plan yet, so it’s best we get you somewhere safe for now while I figure it out.”

He shakes his head. “Go away, Luca. I don’t believe you’ll protect me. I’d rather take my chances here at the hospital.”

“You’re so damn stubborn,” I hiss. “That’s how you got in this mess to begin with.” Frustration eats at me. If he stays, he’ll die. I know my pals way better than he does. They’re pissed off and they want someone to pay.

“I’d still rather not go anywhere with you.” He eyes me suspiciously.

“Sometimes I suspect you’re part mule,” I mutter. It’s becoming obvious talking to him won’t work. His mistrust of me is too ingrained.

Plan B.

With reluctance, I pull my gun from inside my suit jacket. I point it at him and say gruffly, “Get your ass out of the ambulance, Evan. I can see there’s no reasoning with you, so I have to do this the hard way.”

He curls his lip. “I knew I couldn’t trust you.” But despite his words, his eyes are pinned on the gun and he climbs down from the back of the ambulance.

Relieved he obeyed, I gesture with the gun for him to follow me. He does, although he looks angry. His resentment comes off him in waves. His eyes are glued on the gun and I know that if he gets the chance, he’ll try and grab it. He wholeheartedly believes I’m here to finish the job.

I parked in the darkest corner of the ER parking lot hoping no one would notice my car. I’m more vulnerable than usual without Marco by my side. It’s not smart of me to go out with security, but, to be honest, I don’t want anyone to know what I’m up to. Not yet. Not until I have some kind of plan in place.My men are loyal to me, but if I act confused or uncertain about what I’m doing, that would be very bad. Wishy-washy mafia bosses don’t live long.

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