AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stumble for the stairs. I’m clawing at the front door handle, but it won’t open quickly enough.
When it finally does, that same bitter winter chill comes blasting into my face, stripping my fears to the bone. Changing my composure from shocked disbelief to wild-eyed panic.
Please let him still be there…
Please let him still be there…
But when I reach the street, the SUV and Frankie are gone.
CHAPTER 12
FRANKIE
“Do you want the good news first, or the bad?”
“Good.” I reach into my pocket for the handgun I stole from Seamus earlier.“I need all the high fives I can get.”
“Zaccaria’s impressed with what you did.” Guido drums his fingers lightly on the steering wheel. “Told me so himself.”
“Does that mean I’m getting my army ofsoldati?” I say, not missing a beat as I check the clip.
“Let’s get this over with, and then we’ll talk.”
“And the bad?”
“You’ve pissed off most of London and every bridge is burning.”
“Want me to sing a fucking nursery song about it?”
He chuckles as he turns us into the same leafy road in West London we came to seven years ago. He even parks in the same spot, underneath a line of Sycamore trees, opposite three white townhouses.
But I’m only interested in one.
“And you’re sure your guy on the inside’s not compromised?”
“Hundred percent. He’s been my man for years. Just because we haven’t had acoscain London, doesn’t mean we walked away completely.” He gestures at the gun. “Heard you made a mess of O’Sullivan’s bodyguard.”
“Crime of passion.” I scan the street again. The front porch is empty.Where the hell are O’Sullivan’s men?“There’s nothing neat about those.”
“Tell me something, kid: who are you trying to piss off the most by running off with her, Ireland or Russia?”
“Neither,” I say sharply, leaving it at that.
“Remember, you had your shot at a happy ending,” he warns, reaching into his inside jacket pocket for his phone. “We could’ve been on our way to the airport now. Instead, you’re going back in for Razor’s boy. Need I remind you that his father—”
“It’s complicated. Besides, that's what epilogues are for. To give you an extra buzz once the ride is over.”
“You talking in riddles?”
“No, I’m talking longer term. If Danny decides to take on his father’s business, he’ll be in my debt.”
He chuckles again. “You’re finally thinking like a made man, Francesco. You’re Lastra’s son, at last.”
“I was always Lastra’s son. Death doesn’t weaken blood ties. Message your guy on the inside again.”
It’s too quiet.
This is more than the calm before the storm. It’s the dead zone before the drop.
