Page 98 of Hard Wired

“Behave yourselves, both of you. Wouldn’t want anything else to happen to Dominic’s face.”

“I’ll do whatever you want. Please just let Sylvie go. Don’t hurt her.”

“Your father would be sick to hear you pleading like that.” Sandford’s fingers tightened on her elbow. “You got her involved in this. No one can come after us and get away with it. Not even a Crane. You thought you could turn state’s evidence, rat out your family, and there wouldn’t be consequences? You think we won’t force you to watch what happens to each and every person you love?”

Even with all the guns aimed at him right now, Sylvie could tell Dominic was fighting to keep himself seated. He had hatred in his eyes as he glared at his former lawyer.

“There must be something you want,” Dominic said through gritted teeth. “If Charles needs me to endorse him, I’ll say whatever he wants me to.”

“None of the captains want to hear the opinions of a traitor.”

“But Raymond is innocent. And he’s a Crane, too. I know some of the captains are still loyal to my father and to Warren. So do what you want to me, but let Raymond go. Let him take Sylvie, and neither one of them will ever bother Charles or the Syndicate again.”

Sandford started to laugh. “You really haven’t realized yet how fucking dumb you are? How you could’ve walked away with your new friends and bought yourself some time? Of course, we would’ve gotten to you eventually. But at least you could’ve fucked your girlfriend for a while longer in blissful ignorance instead of delivering yourself up on a silver platter.”

“What are you talking about?”

No, Sylvie thought. Please say it isn’t true.

The door opened behind them. The guards in the room all stood straighter, and Sandford tensed beside her. An older man with sleek black hair strode into the room. He wore khakis and a gingham button-down shirt, like somebody’s rich dad relaxing on the weekend. The man nodded at several people as he entered, then his eyes fixed on Dominic.

“Uncle Charles.”

“Nephew. This isn’t the family reunion I was hoping for. But I suppose it’s the only one we’ll get.”

Another man stepped into the room, this one far younger. He was tall and lean, with similar features to his older brother’s, though they were sharper. Not quite as beautiful. Raymond wore a look of sad determination on his face.

Charles reached out to put his arm around the Raymond’s shoulders. “We weren’t expecting you so soon, Dominic. But it’s good you’ll get to see this. Your baby brother is finally taking his place in the family business.”

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