Page 93 of Always Mine
“This is not going to look good for us, Marco,” says Seb.
“I don’t give a fuck how bad it looks, bro. We need to keep people safe. I’m on my way down.”
Chapter sixty-four
Allies And Enemies
Marco
“Youokay,baby?”Iask, curling my hand around the nape of Sophia’s neck and pulling her in close so I’m staring deep into her drowsy eyes.
“I’ll be fine, Marco-Boy,” she says, closing the gap and planting a searing kiss on my lips. I allow myself to drown in the sensation of her soft lips against mine, knowing it might be a while until I get to do it again. I don’t plan on coming home until I get to the bottom of whatever this means and find whoever the fuck is responsible.
We’re making our way back to the VIP section when my message tone breaks through the moment, and I check it immediately, thinking it’s Sebastian with an update on the drama unfolding out there. It’s not just bad news. It’s something far worse.
Unknown number:
An eye for an eye. You know what they say—the last one out’s a rotten egg. I say it pays to have regular compliance checks.
It’s been sent from a burner phone, and it reeks of Arty. The wheels are spinning in my head as I turn his words over. Then ithits me. His side business would give him perfect access to people who could help orchestrate this.
“Fuck!!” I holler, making Sophia jump at my outburst. She swipes the phone from my hand and reads the message.
“Oh my God!” She gasps, clapping her free hand to her chest in shock. She hands back my phone. “Do you think someone did this on purpose? This…I mean that’s…sabotage,” she says, shock and worry painting her face.
“I know someone did this on purpose, baby. And I have my suspicions of exactly who is fucked up enough and with connections to pull it off too. Come on; we need to get down there,” I say as I put one hand on the small of her back, walking us out the door and back towards the VIP area while I press Avery’s contact with the other.
“Avery, pull the footage from yesterday. Get a visual ID of the city council worker who did the mains check and run a visual match for who he is. Then check if he’s received any payments from Arty’s shell company. I think that dirty fucker paid someone to tamper with our gas and cause a leak at Bella Donna. We need everyone out now... Yes, then come and get Sophia and take her home. I’m going to be a while.”
As we enter the VIP area, Sebastian’s voice comes over the PA. “We’re so sorry everyone, but due to an unforeseen emergency, we need everyone to make their way out of the nearest exit. Please don’t panic. Follow security and Bella Donna staff directions and make your way out in an orderly fashion. Any coats in the cloak room will be available for pick up later. There’s no time to waste right now. Your safety and well-being is our priority. Please make your way to the nearest exit.”
It was a full house tonight, so it’s absolute chaos as security and staff are ushering people out of all the exits. All the lights are on, and the music has been cut. We decided against setting off the emergency alarm, but that doesn’t stop the ringing in my ears. It’s only Sophia’s sweet, determined voice that puts a pause on the buzz in my ears.
“Marco, put me to work. What do you need me to do?” she asks, completely in fix-it mode now. That’s my girl. I know she’d weather any storm with me. But she can’t stay here. I want her home, where I know she’ll be safe.
“Avery is going to come and get you and the girls and take you home. I can’t trust that Arty won’t try something crazy to start a war that will deflect from him. My gut feeling is he’s becoming more unhinged by the day. He’s not used to being challenged. But he picked the wrong fucker to mess with.”
She nods, then plants a quick kiss on my lips whispering, “Be safe. I need you.”
It kills me to watch her walk into the crowd, but I need to get ahead of this carnage. With Avery working on finding the leads I need, I know I must loop my dad in on what the fuck has gone down tonight. Especially since I fully intend on making questionable decisions and using every fucking resource Vault Enterprises has at our disposal to bring this fucker down.
I fire off one more text to Avery.
Marco:
After you drop Sophia and the girls home, I need you to go through the footage of all the arrivals from Arty’s 30th birthday party. Save a file of every girl wearing a red dress that night. It’s time to use our wild card. Or fucking die trying.
Avery:
On it, Boss.
Chapter sixty-five
Truth Bomb
Sophia
“Sophia!”Stellarushesmewhen I finally spot my group in the VIP parking lot. I return her hug and survey the scene before me. Luca and Arabella are locked in a discussion off to one side. Evie is already seated in Avery’s front seat, scrolling her phone. I go to call out to her, but I’m distracted by a thunderous-looking Raf walking towards me to the other town car parked next to Avery. It’s not so much his expression that shocks me as the fact that he has a very passed-out Chiara cradled in his arms. His driver jumps out to open the back door, and Raf slides in the backseat, taking Chiara with him. I walk towards them, bending down to speak with my brother holding his precious cargo.
