Page 110 of Hook

I scan the paper and the more I read, the more the rage within me threatens to decimate everything in my path. Now I know why they look so worried.

I try to calm the storm brewing within me as I’ve let Gwendolyne go and now they uncover a plot by Piero to kill her and her father! “Is this a sick joke?!” I’m about ready to explode. “How did you not find this out sooner?”

Smyth pales slightly. “It was only yesterday evening when the informant and I met.”

“Fuck’s sake, Smyth.” I clench my fists. “And you didn’t consider calling me last night?” It may have been too late to tell Gwendolyne, but leaving it until the next afternoon is fucking stupid. “It’s not good enough. You’re supposed to be my second in command!”

He pales. When I’m like this, there’s no knowing what I’ll do. “When is he going to do it?”

Jake steps forward. “We don’t know for sure, but the informant believes he’s going to strike at the wedding party.”

Smyth holds a hand up. “At least, that was his original plan. Apparently, the wedding is back on.”

If I wasn’t pissed off enough finding out that Piero is going to murder Jovani Tesoro and take everything he owns, intending to move in on San Diego, they had to mention the thorn in my side. Gwendolyne. She’s going to marry that bastard after everything I told her about him.

The question is, is it her choice or is she being forced to marry him?

I hope it’s the latter.

“I let her go and now he’s going to destroy everything.”

Jake clears his throat. “How do we stop him?”

Smyth tilts his head. “Do we want to stop him, considering he’ll take out our competition?”

“Definitely,” I say, shaking my head. “If we don’t, he becomes our new competition. Piero would be unstoppable and you know it.” I can’t help but wonder why Smyth would ask such a stupid fucking question.

Not to mention, if he takes out Jovani, I know that Gwendolyne would be devastated. It’s clear she cares about her father, despite the fact he’s been her prison warden all these years.

And I care about how she feels, even if she chose to leave me and even if she chooses to marry that snake, Piero.

“When is the wedding?”

“I think they’re planning it in two weeks.”

I grind my teeth. “We’ll make sure that the wedding doesn’t go ahead, and that Piero is unveiled for the piece of shit he is.”

Smyth narrows his eyes. “How will you do that?”

“I’ll figure it out. Leave it to me.” I clap him on the shoulder. “If there’s no other business to discuss, I’ve got a plan to make.”

Jake, Tim, Oliver and Jeremy all nod. “No, that’s all,” Jake confirms.

“Great.”

Smyth shakes his head. “Can I have a word in private, sir?”

I nod and we move away as the other four men file out of the room. “What is it, Smyth? I’ve got to get working on this plan.”

“I wanted to offer my help with the plan. Aren’t two heads better than one?”

I narrow my eyes. Smyth doesn’t normally go out of his way to offer help, at least not lately. “I’ve got it covered, thanks.”

A muscle in his jaw clenches. “Fair enough. Give me a call if you need anything.”

I nod and he walks away. As I watch him, I still can’t shake that niggling doubt that this man is working against me.

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