Page 69 of Savage Reckoning
Blake retrieves one of the burner phones from a drawer and hands it to me. My fingers are steady.
“Put it on speaker,” Nico instructs.
I dial the number Isabel made me memorize. It rings. Once. Twice.
“Yes?” Her voice is cautious.
I close my eyes, summoning every ounce of my ability to lie. When I speak, my voice is shaky, but with an undercurrent of dark victory. “It’s done. Nico’s dead.”
A pause, electric. Then Isabel’s voice, smooth and pleased. “I knew you had it in you,mija. Dante’s there? He confirmed?”
I glance at Moretti, who is watching me with pure hatred. “Yes. Nico never saw it coming.” I inject a note of hollow satisfaction into my tone. “Dante’s taking care of the aftermath. He told me to go to the safe place and wait for you.”
“You’ve made me very proud,” Isabel says. “We can begin our new partnership. Chicago is ours for the taking, unless… you don’t like me.”
I meet Nico’s eyes. He nods encouragingly. I play my final card.
“I do. I’ll be your partner, Isabel,” I say, letting my voice break slightly. “But on one condition. I want to see my mother. After what I did tonight... I’ve earned it. Bring her to me. Please. Once I know she’s safe, I’m all yours.”
The silence that follows is heavy. “Of course,” she finally says, her voice softened. “You deserve that reunion. There is a private viewing room at the Thorne Gallery downtown. It’s closed for an event I control. It’s secure. I can be there with your mother in two hours.”
“I will be there,” I promise. “Thank you, Isabel.”
The line goes dead. I look up at Nico. “The Thorne Gallery. Two hours.”
A slow, dangerous smile spreads across his face. “I know it well. Three exits, minimal security.” His eyes never leave mine as he gives orders to Blake. “I want the team in position within thirty minutes. All exits covered. No one moves until I give the command.”
Blake nods and steps aside to make the calls.
Nico crosses to me. His fingers trace the line of my jaw. “You did well,” he says softly. “But you know what this means.”
I swallow hard. “We’re going after Isabel. And my mother.”
He nods. “Are you prepared for what you might learn? For what might need to be done?”
Good question.Am I prepared to confront the woman who raised me, who ordered my father’s death?
“I need the truth,” I say finally. “Whatever it costs.”
Something like approval flickers in his eyes. “Then we should get ready. You can’t go looking like that.” He gestures to his jacket, wrapped around me.
“I’ll have Blake bring you something more appropriate from downstairs,” Nico says. “We need you to blend in.” I nod. “What about him?” I ask, gesturing toward Moretti.
Nico’s expression hardens. “He’ll be coming with us. Insurance. And when this is over,” he says, his voice a low threat to Moretti, “you and I will have a long, private conversation about Marco at the warehouse.” Nico’s eyes meet Blake’s. “Get him to the car,” he orders, turning away.
As Moretti is dragged from the room, Nico’s attention is back on me. “You’ve changed,” he says softly. “The woman who walked into my club months ago couldn’t have done all that you just did.”
I lift my chin. “She wouldn’t have needed to.”
A smile touches his lips. “But I think I prefer this version of you. The one who survives.”
“Is that what I am now? A survivor?”
“You’re whatever you choose to be. But right now, you’re my partner in this.”
Partner.The word resonates through me. “I’ll need a weapon,” I say, surprising myself.
Nico pauses, then nods. “Blake will provide one. Do you know how to use it?”
