Page 99 of The Beast Who Begged Me

“A word, Don Clemenza,” he grits out. “Alone.”

We make our way to a room off the side, which seems to be for staff. But there’s no one here yet.

As soon as the door shuts, Dami grabs me by the shoulders. “If you think I’m going to let you do this, you’re out of your mind. No. I’ll go. I’m the one King wants.”

“It has to be me, Dami.” I lay my hand over his lips as he tries to speak again. “It has to be me. I need you leading the charge. Of all our people, you’re the one with the best knowledge of the layout. And more importantly…” I take my hand from his mouth. “Sammy saved my life, Dami. What kind of man would I be if I refused to risk mine in return?”

“He’s my family,” Dami says heavily. “It should be me taking the risk.”

“He’s my family, too,” I say simply.

His arms go around me. “So I’m supposed to just give in and let you have your own way about this?”

I could remind him what he swore. The words are still new enough that I hear them whenever I look at him. But he’s already fought to keep his temper in front of the Bosses and let me make the case for a plan that terrifies him. I’m not going to demand that he stop worrying about me, too.

He couldn’t, even if I ordered it.

“It’s the best chance we have,” I say. “I need you outside. If this goes wrong, you’re the man I’m counting on to get us out.”

His hand slides up to cup the back of my neck, the familiar possessive hold. “You’re mine. I’m not going to let that Russian fucker take you away from me.”

“Never,” I agree.

“And we’ll make him regret everything he’s done.”

I smile at that. It’s Dami all over: vengeance and vendetta. “First we get Sammy home.”

“I’m still going to hate every fucking second.”

“I’d be pretty offended if you enjoyed them.”

He almost smiles. Then his gaze drops to my mouth, and I pull him down to kiss me. His hands move over me, pulling me close. When he breaks the kiss, he keeps his forehead against mine.

“Alright, Don Clemenza,” he says at last. “We’ll play it your way.”

Within two hours, we have more than a dozen people gathered around tables pulled onto Kismet’s dance floor. Fontana and Vitali stayed with us while the others arrived. Beyond the locked entrance, the city has got on with its day. Inside, someone has found the coffee machine, and Finch’s staff have been told they aren’t needed yet.

Sophia Vicente and Matt Dellacroce come in together. The last time I saw them was when they helped kidnap me. I wasn’t inclined to appreciate their efficiency. Today, I’m grateful Nick thought to ask them.

Rossi sends his youngest son, already in his thirties, and his second choice is an iron-haired soldier who listens to the introductions without offering a word. The two Alessis I don’t know, but they give nods to the Rossis.

Strike and the Giordanos have come as well. Junior’s shoulder keeps him out of the groups going inside, which his father accepts with far less argument than Junior does. Ricky sits near him, looking around with nervous alertness, as though he’s going to miss something.

“You’ll stay with the cars,” I tell him. “Help us identify anyone you recognize. When Sammy comes out, I want you there.”

“I can do more than wait.”

“You’ve already done more. We’re checking the information you gave us.” I put a hand on his shoulder. “And when we find him, you may be the only person he wants touching him. He’s going to need you.”

He looks down. After a moment, he nods.

I’ll never wear a decent suit again if Ricky is hurt or killed during this operation. His grandfather would never forgive me. But one way or the other, Ricky is determined to try to save Sammy. He’ll try on his own if we don’t let him come—and that would mean his death.

The last to arrive is Victor Gallo. I’ve decided tonight can be a chance for him to prove himself.

I take everyone through the plan. Dami sketches out the rooms and passages he remembers as a floor plan, and I add in a few of my own.

“So we wait for the signal that you found him,” Sophia Vicente says. “Then we make our move?”