Page 527 of One More Kiss

“Why the fuck am I only discovering this now, Paolo? Why haven’t you informed me before?”

I stared at him. Even to this day, Vincenzo Bilotti didn’t frighten me. He could stare me down with his cold eyes, but nothing he did would make me cower.

“Informed you of my suspicions? Up until today, I had no proof that he had done anything other than ask your daughter questions about you and sent her flowers,” I fired back. “Had I said anything, you’d have denied it. The loyalty that you and Marco have in the men is unparalleled. I needed concrete evidence to prove who the mole is.”

Their expressions tightened as they realized that I was right. Had I gone to them with my suspicions, they would have pushed me away and told me that I was reaching.

Or, they would have gone full force at Joe, blowing everything up.

Avery knew there was something off about the man just as I did. We just didn’t know if he was the mole for sure.

Now I had my handler looking into Joe’s background, and I waited for him to call when he had completed a deep dive.

“What’s the plan?” Marco asked, finally losing the hostile stance.

“The plan is to keep an eye on the party, make sure that he’s not here. If he shows up, have him detained. My handler is trying to uncover who Joe really is and what his motives are for coming into the Bilotti organization as a rat.”

They nodded.

“What about the rest of the men? What do you think they’d do if they discover that Joe is a fucking traitor?” Vin pressed his fist against his desk.

“The captains would do whatever they could to ensure that he’s captured. They are loyal to you and you alone,” I replied easily.

I’d watched these men for the past few months. I’d seen how they acted in the face of danger. The captains and some of the older soldiers would back Vincenzo without a second thought, whereas the others—I wasn’t sure if they’d turn on him or not.

Marco left the office without a word; I knew that he went to find the captains and ensure that they knew what needed to happen should Joe turn up.

“Put a vest on,” I told Vin. “When he turns up, Vincenzo, he will be gunning for you. He’ll know by now that we have him in our sights, that we know he’s not who he says he is. Especially if he’s got more listening devices in the house.”

Vincenzo’s eyes darkened. “In the thirty-seven years that I have been boss, I have never worn a bulletproof vest. I’m not going to start now.”

Why the fuck were people so against the vests?

“Okay, let me say it this way. If Joe turns up today, Vin, he’s going to try and take you out. Now think about who’s going to be at this party and what would happen should Joe get to you?”

I didn’t wait for an answer. I knew that I’d hit the mark, just as I had intended. Bringing up Avery and what would happen to her should he die was a surefire way for him to do as I said. He wanted his daughter happy and safe—it was the one redeeming quality that he had.

I strode out of Vin’s office. Avery was still working the room. Of course, she felt my gaze on her; she turned her head and looked at me, a shy, beautiful smile on her lips.

Marco watched her like a hawk.

I headed outside, going to do a perimeter check. The captains were on guard, their bodies tight and their hands close to their sides, ready to draw for their guns should anything happen.

I did a sweep of the back yard. All was clear. Maybe Joe had finally realized that he would not get away with whatever he planned.

I knew better than that though. The lengths that he’d gone too was evident enough that whatever he planned, this was just the beginning.

I made my way back into the house. Vincenzo strode into the main area, his body bulkier than usual, and I smiled. He’d finally listened to sense and wore a vest.

Avery sauntered over to her father, a smile on her face. The two of them embraced and whispered to each other. Whatever her father said had her turning in my direction. She gave me a blinding smile and a heated look.

Since last week, we’d been like school kids, sneaking away whenever we could. We had taken a lot of risks, even had sex in her bedroom when there was no one around. I was addicted to her; there was no such thing as me keeping away from her. It was not going to happen.

My only dilemma was what would happen when this job was over and it was time to move on? Time to go to another job.

Could I leave her behind?

The mere thought of it had my gut clenching.

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