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Romeo answered with another growl and took one more step.
Yeah. They definitely fucking knew each other.
Casanova moved before his brother could take another. He caught Romeo around the chest and hauled him backward, planting his feet when Romeo fought against him.
"Not here," Casanova muttered against his brother's ear. "Not like this."
Romeo stopped fighting him. He didn't stop growling.
The female officer looked up. Her gaze found Valentino. The entire gym seemed to disappear for both of them.
"Sir, stay where you are."
In an instant, the tension dropped from Valentino's face. It was replaced by an amused smirk that said, Really?
He took a step toward her. Two rifles swung toward him. She held her ground. He didn't stop moving.
"Stop!" she said. "Valentino, stop."
That stopped him. Not the guns. Her.
Valentino Lupetto stood at the bottom of the stairs. Maybe fifteen feet separated them. Her weapon remained pointed toward the floor. Her chin trembled. Then she lifted the document in her other hand.
"Valentino Lupetto, you're under arrest."
"For what?" Casanova demanded.
The woman didn't look at him. "Conspiracy to operate an illegal fighting enterprise, illegal gambling, racketeering, and offenses related to multiple deaths connected to Lupetto Boxing & Promotions operations."
"That's bullshit," Romeo said.
"Enough." Valentino's voice wasn't loud, but his brothers went quiet. Valentino still hadn't taken his eyes off the woman. "I didn't do this."
"I've heard that before," she said.
Definitely not their first meeting.
Valentino held out his wrists. "I'm innocent."
The woman holstered her gun and retrieved her cuffs. "Heard that before, too."
"I'm telling the truth this time too, tesoro."
"Then you'll get your day in court."
Click went the cuffs. Valentino grinned at the sound. That grin reminded me of when I'd trapped Rosalind beneath me in the forest.
My phone vibrated. So did Vidar's. Vidar pulled his out. I didn't bother.
Then I saw his face. "Addie?"
Every instinct inside me went on alert.
Vidar turned away from the noise. "What do you mean?"
My stomach dropped as I stepped closer to him until I could hear my sister-in-law's voice.
"The police are here. They're raiding your mother's party."
