Page 118 of Ruthless Secrets
Everything will be okay. It just has to be.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
MARCO
The hours are long,and I feel restless, so I don’t bother trying to get some sleep. Instead, I pace around Andre’s office, going over the plan that we spent the last few hours cultivating, searching for any weaknesses.
The worst part of this isn’t the fight that will ensue, or the blood or the death that will follow. It's waiting. The silence that comes before the storm. It gives me time to think, to remember everything that I’m leaving behind if I’m not successful.
The image of Clara looking up at me with panic in her eyes, her lips trembling as she asked me to be careful, plays on repeat in my mind.
I made a promise to come back to her, and I never break my promises.
By the time the sky starts to lighten, Andre and I are ready.
Our weapons are checked, and the plan is solid.
Take out Alfonzo and try not to die in the process.
Andre tucks a handgun into the holster under his jacket. “It’s time.”
We drivein silence to Alfonzo’s estate, the tension thick in the air.
Jax and Enzo are following behind us in a separate car but once we get close, they hang back.
We don’t want to seem like we’re ambushing him, though we have enough weapons on us to do some serious damage if it calls for it.
The sun is fully risen by the time we pull up outside the gates.
Andre lowers the window and flashes a smile to the two guards stationed outside. It’s clear by the looks on their faces that they know who we are and that we’re not here for a friendly visit.
“We want to talk to Alfonzo.”
The guards glance at each other.
I lean over. “It wasn’t a request.”
Just when I think we’re going to have to storm the place, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye.
My pulse stays steady as I spy Alfonzo stepping out onto the balcony of the second floor.
“Looks like Alfonzo has decided to grace us with his presence,” I tilt my chin to let Andre know where to look.
Even from this distance, the cruel smirk on his angular face as he looks down at us is clear as day.
Andre nods. “It’s showtime,”
We step out of the car.
Alfonzo sets his hands on the balcony wall. “Well, well. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“We need to talk.” Andre’s voice is sharp and commanding.
Alfonzo chuckles as he tucks his hands into his pockets.
My body tenses, my fingers flexing with the need to reach for my gun.
“I have nothing to say to you.”
