Page 151 of Savage Don

But jumping into the light so quickly after spending all of that time in the darkness outside isn’t smart, and for a split-second, I’m blinded.

Leo must not be able to see either, because he curses as we both jump aside, just in case someone has their own gun pointed at us.

But no one shoots. Hell, no one even shouts in our direction.

Silence still reigns supreme as my vision readjusts and I get my first clear look at the florescent office.

“What the fuck…”

It’s empty. There’s not even a desk in here. Only cream-colored walls, barren except for a flat screen TV hung at the far end.

“Could those two rats be in one of the other offices?” Leonid asks, just as dumbfounded by the whole thing as I am.

“Why would they be in one of those? They’re supposed to be here for a meeting. Fuck. I knew something was wrong. This is a trap.”

“Not a very good one,” Leonid grumbles, brushing some dirt off of his shoulder. “I hardly even have a scratch on me.”

“Let’s check the other rooms,” I sneer, my trigger finger twitching.

Do Sonia and Domenico know that we were listening in on them?

No. That wouldn’t make any sense. They confessed to everything.

Even if I somehow died here, the recordings have already been sent to everyone who matters. Whatever happens, the Gallis will still be banished. They will still be destroyed.

So, what the hell is going on?

“I’ll check the offices on the right, you check the offices on the left,” Leonid says.

I’m about to follow him back out onto the corpse-littered balcony when I spot something odd. Just beneath the television is a tiny remote control. Other than the TV, it’s the only thing in this empty room.

The sight fills my stomach with dread.

Someone is toying with us.

With great apprehension, I step forward and pick up the remote control. There’s only two buttons on it. A power button, and a play/pause button.

Grinding my teeth, I press the power button… and my heart drops.

Shit.

I’ve let my feelings for Francesca cloud my judgement. This is a trap. There’s no doubt about it.

The first thing I see when the TV screen flickers on is the smiling face of the person who’s brought me here.

Sonia.

“Well, hello, dear,” she grins, her lips stained with dark red lipstick. “I’m so glad you found the remote. Now, I’ll be able to say my final goodbyes before I send you to hell.”

33

Ray

“I’m not going anywhere,” I growl at the screen.

Above the television, I can see a tiny camera. Its blinking green light tells me that we’re talking live.

“You’re right about that,” Sonia teases. “This will be your grave.”