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“Appreciate it,” Max said. “Just a heads up: I’m texting you a video. The other New York families will receive the same one soon. The Morelli family isn’t involved, but you’ll want to watch it.”
Nico ended the call with Dante, and everyone spoke at once. Multiple thoughts filtered through until I snagged on what made the most sense. “Summer’s right. We need to set Guido up now before he can make good on his plan to off his father and take over the Amato empire, effectively toppling the Tucci family in the process.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
LUC
Ipaced back and forth in our bedroom while Summer changed into club-appropriate attire. When she came out, wearing a short white silky dress that draped provocatively over her body, highlighting her curves, I froze. “If he lays one hand on you, I’m killing him.” Maybe I could get her to change into a dress that wasn’t so goddamn sexy. “That’s probably the wrong color. Blood splatters.”
She shook her head then put on a diamond earring. “You’re taking to this life a little too well.”
I shrugged. “It’s not that far off from how I lived. You know I did illegal fighting, and life before that was no picnic.”
She rested her palm on my chest and leaned close. “I know. Our pasts were rocky.” Rising onto her toes, she pressed a kiss to my jawline.
Groaning, I bent and slanted my mouth over hers. I always wanted more of her.
She immediately opened for me. I teased and tasted her, tangling my tongue with hers, craving time so I could bury myself in her. With Summer, it was easy to lose hours. Reluctantly, I broke the kiss. We didn’t have that luxury tonight. Instead, we were going to do the unthinkable and let Summer be the bait to catch a rogue underboss.
I slid a knife into a sheath near my ankle and one into my back pocket. Then I added guns, tucking one into my waistband at my back and one into the shoulder holster before handing a small one to Summer, which went into her clutch.
I rested my hand on her stomach, locking my eyes with hers as I whispered, “Be careful.”
Her lower lip trembled before she got control of her emotions. “I will.” Her hand covered mine. “I promise.”
I studied the determined set to her raised chin, the spark of fury in her beautiful eyes, and how she’d squared her shoulders. It was time. I extended my hand to her, and she took it. With our hands linked, we left the room.
Max and Lil, Stefano and Emiliana, Enzo and Sofia, Marco and El, Nico, and Trey—who we needed just in case, as he was a doctor—waited in the kitchen. Tony, Max’s brother, would meet us at the club, as he ran them. The Caruso family owned three: Temptation, Obsession, and Submission. “Which one are we going to?”
“The one the public thinks is the most dangerous—Submission.” Max straightened from where he’d been leaning against the island and pulled Lil close. “Nothing too illegal goes on there. Temptation, which is assumed to be the lesser of the three, is where we do the majority of the money laundering, among other things.”
The wives all wore a variation of Summer’s dress, and I couldn’t have loved them more for it. They must have planned it as an attempt to draw Guido to them, assuming he wasn’t sure which one was Summer. I took in Emiliana’s dark hair, El’s warm-brown strands, and Sofia’s long chestnut hair pulled into a high ponytail. None of them looked like Summer, but Lil might have been able to trick him. Her hair was much lighter, but from behind, if Guido didn’t know them, she could pass. My feelings were mixed—I didn’t want anything to happen to either of them, but at the same time, I was relieved that the attention might shift from Summer, who carried our baby, to one who was trained to handle such a situation.
We piled into the black SUVs they tended to take. Security climbed into the front seats and into cars that would lead the way and trail behind us. It was almost time. A rush of cold determination settled my nerves.No one will get to her. It’s time to end this.
The drive to the club was tense with anticipation. When we pulled up, our guards got out and secured the area. Then we exited to bouncers and our security standing in front of the roped-off line that wrapped around the building to give us a clear path to the entrance. The crowd hushed as soon as they spotted the Five Families entering the club. Pending danger charged the air with electricity.
Loud music pumped from strategically placed speakers. Red lights cast a seductive glow in the dark interior, leaving plenty of places to hide in the shadows. The dance floor pulsed with gyrating bodies. Expectation vibrated across the large open floor as waitstaff maneuvered through, wearing small scraps of leather, which only added to the BDSM vibe.
Tony materialized as we entered the club, his face grim as he ran a hand through his hair then motioned for us to follow him to a corner section that was roped off with red velvet cords. Our security melted into the shadows, only a few visible in an attempt to make Guido think getting to us would be easier. The girls sat in the large U-shaped booth there, and a private bar was attached to the space. We were out in the open, our backs to the wall, and I hated it.
Summer tugged on my suit jacket, and I bent so she could talk in my ear, her voice barely cresting the loud music. “I’ll be fine. I’m getting us drinks while you keep watch.”
I didn’t like it, but Tony was talking to us, and I needed to hear what he said. Besides, the bar was positioned so she wouldn’t be in direct line for a sniper if Guido tried to take her out in the few moments she spent at the private bar.
Sofia and Summer split off and went to the bar with Enzo, and the rest of us leaned in as Tony gave us the intel he had.
“Guido was spotted with three guards.” Tony flattened a hand on the table, leaning forward. “He’s one floor above, combing through the crowds, checking in the private rooms. I’ll be notified when he learns of your presence. It shouldn’t be too long.”
Max caught my eye. “He’ll make a move when Summer splits off to go to the dance floor or the bathroom.”
That made the most sense. I addressed Tony. “Are there rooms or places I can blend into the shadows where he’ll approach if she goes to the bathrooms?”
“Yes.” Tony pulled out earpieces and handed them to each of us. “I’ll keep you posted when he makes his way down and when Summer should head to the bathroom. And I agree with Luc. That would be the best place to grab him.”
Summer and Sofia returned, sliding into the booth with their drinks in hand. Summer had what looked like a cranberry vodka, but I knew there wasn’t any alcohol in it.
Lil motioned for me to go with Tony. “I’ll fill Summer in. You get into position so we’re ready.”
