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She hadn’t responded to my proposal with words, but we didn’t need them. With every touch, she conveyed exactly how she felt about us. I would end this so we could be together. Now more than ever I had the motivation I needed. As if it wasn’t strong enough before, she’d given me the hope I’d been looking for. The reason I deserved a future.
“If I were in your position, I wouldn’t leave either, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best solution.” Donato folded his hands on my sister’s kitchen table.
“I’m going to contact Eduardo. Do what has to be done. I’m not going to spend my life on the run.”
I had two more lives to take. It was necessary to save my own. Whatever that may make me, so be it. I’d do anything for my second chance.
“That isn’t wise. He’ll kill you.”
“Not if I take him out first.”
“Whatever backup you need, you’ve got it.”
I’d never experienced unconditional support, and though Donato’s had been over and over again, it still caught me off guard.
“Is there somewhere we can do business?”
“I have a place,” Daniel said. “If he’s amenable, we can set up a protective perimeter around you. It’s not foolproof, but it’s better than meeting on his turf.”
“He’ll agree,” I said. “Otherwise, he’ll never see me again.”
“Wait two days. Let’s ensure we have everything in place. Then make contact.” Donato took a sip of his coffee.
“What about Rosca?” I asked.
Each threat was significant in its own right. I had to choose one to eliminate first. Eduardo had just found himself at the top of that list.
“If he wanted you dead, you would be. Once we’ve dealt with Sandoval, we’ll find out what Rosca wants.”
“I assure you when he’s ready, we won’t be given an option,” I said bitterly. Nicanor Rosca answered to no one, not even men of equal stature.
“He hasn’t met me.”
While I wasn’t afraid of Donato, I certainly didn’t want to cross him. My mistake with Rosca had been to behave as if he were the one with control. But my mission had never been about a power struggle. If allowing him to treat me as one of his minions brought the results I wanted, I didn’t care who was on top. Ultimately, I would win.
“I’d like to go over the layout of the meet point.” I didn’t want any surprises.
“You don’t have to be the one to handle this.” Donato placed a hand on my shoulder. It was a relief to know if I didn’t want to pull the trigger, he would have someone else do it.
“Yes, I do.”
This was my war. One I’d brought on innocent people by coming to New York City. Even though Donato’s enforcers were there for the purpose of killing, I wouldn’t risk someone else’s life. I had to be the one to end it. I just prayed Holly could forgive me once it was over.
“Do you have a minute?”
Holly’s lean figure was in the doorway to Muriella’s study, where I’d been poring over the features of the warehouse and surrounding area for hours.
“All of my time is yours.”
I set my notes down and gestured to the chair across the desk from me. She shook her head.
“Come with me.”
I followed her from the apartment, but instead of taking the elevator, she moved to the stairwell. Up we went until we reached the rooftop.
She shivered when the crisp evening air blew through us.
“Would you like me to retrieve your coat?” I wanted to put my arms around her to shield her from the wind. I settled on shoving my hands in my pockets.
