I've got a name. Thomas Graves. Military. Special forces. Running a Greek operation out of a ranch that was never legally sold. The man who killed Gianna’s brother. A killer that Gianna is prepared to explode everything over.
I've got a shell company that's made of paper and nothing.
I've got a missing rancher who took cash and vanished.
And I've got a phone call to make to Gianna Milano that's going to change the shape of this war. But I’m not relaying anything until Ace or Hunter tells me to. I’m on their side.
Ace takes my hand, and we walk back toward the house in the sun. His thumb traces circles on my palm. The mountains glow gold on the horizon.
"Saturday," he says. "You and me. The rodeo. And after that?—"
"After that?"
He grins, tipping his hat.
"I've got plans for you, Goldie."
"Should I be scared?"
"Terrified."
I squeeze his hand. "Can't wait. Now, I need to speak to Hunter. Work out what we’re telling Gianna. Right?”
He grins. “You’re such a good fuckin’ girl.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Ace
I turn on the shower and rest against the sink, waiting for it to heat up.
Harper is outside the door, in my bedroom, making calls. Hunter gave her the go-ahead to tell Gianna about the fake sale and let her know we're looking into the missing shooter.
Thomas Graves intel stays with us. We've got Romeo and Enzo running his name through every database and contact they have. He might be special ops, but Enzo's network doesn't have just one of those kinda guys. We have them everywhere, trained by the prolific Grayson Ward, part of the New York crew. One guy doesn't scare us. Not when we have a full-scale army available at the press of a button.
We've got our guys on the trail for Carson, too. Because if that ranch was never actually sold, it's still available to purchase. And that's the cleanest way to get those fuckers off our land. War isn't something we go searching for. Wars lead to casualties, and I can't lose anyone else close to me.
We buy it. Then we bury them all there.
Hunter is concerned with how much Gianna needs to know. He trusts no one. And just because she's our enemy's enemy. That doesn't make her our friend. We ain't getting rid of one mafia to let their successors take their place here.
New Falls is ours.
And LA will become Enzo's.
By the time I've showered off, I wrap a towel around my waist and open the door.
"No. I'm not coming back today," Harper hisses down the phone.
I don't move. Don't breathe. Just listen.
"I told Gianna because she's the one who wants the information, remember? Sorry, I got confused on my chain of command. You made it quite clear we bow down to her."
I frown. If that ain't Gianna...
"Yes, she seemed happy with it." She flops down on the bed, pulling at her hair.
"I can't do Saturday, Hudson."
