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“Those men that died,” she says and glances at me. “Who were they?”
“I’m not sure who was on duty. I didn’t get a good look.”
“Can you do something for them? For their families, I mean?”
I nod slowly, pride blossoming in my heart. Despite coming so close to death, she’s still a kind person.
“I’ll make sure they’re taken care of.”
“Thank you.” She pulls her knees to her chest, hugging herself. “I don’t want to be alone, but I’m afraid if I ask you to stay, you’ll get the wrong idea.”
My hands tighten. “I will stay.”
“It’s fake, Evander. We can’t lose sight of that. It’s all fake.”
My anger drains away. She looks so small and vulnerable, holding onto herself like she’s going to drift away if she doesn’t. I climb into bed, wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her close.
“I’ll stay right here as long as you need me,” I whisper as she leans her head on my shoulder, tears making her chest shake. “Real or fake, I’m here.”
Chapter41
Evander
Helen arrives to take over with Camille. The two of them sit shoulder to shoulder in the living room drinking wine whileReal Housewivesshout at each other on the flatscreen.
I find Lycus downstairs. “Situation,” I bark at him. I’m on edge, itching to find my enemies, but Camille’s words keep playing through my head. This is fake, it’s fake, it’ll never be more than what it is.
No matter what I want. No matter how I feel.
Several of my captains and soldiers stand at attention, looking grim.
“Cameras got the shooting,” Lycus reports. “We have the plates and we’re running them now.”
“No need to wait for the results. It was the Italians.” I look around and nobody argues. “Get a squad together. Reliable men, good men. I want you to lead them personally.”
Lycus nods sharply. “Consider it done. What’s the target?”
“Burn Conti’s house to the fucking ground.”
There’s a long moment of silence. They stare at me, saying nothing, as the gravity of my orders falls on them.
For years, residential areas have been off limits. Businesses, clubs, that sort of thing, those are fair game—but Chicago rowhomes are packed too close together, and the risk of civilians getting caught in the crossfire is too high. Nobody wanted to be the ones to kill some kid by accident, but things are different now.
After what happened, I’m willing to break all the fucking rules.
Nobody hurts Camille. Nobody.
“Evander—” Lycus starts, but I interrupt him.
“They came to my house,” I say, meeting each one of their gazes and holding it for a moment. “My house.They tried to kill mywife. What would any of you do if you were in my position?” Nobody speaks up. They all know I can’t let this slide. “Get the squad together. Burn Conti’s house. Kill him if you can.”
“Yes, sir,” Lycus says.
I grab his arm before he walks away. The soldiers and captains disperse, leaving me alone for a moment with my underboss. “You remember that kid we spared from Zale’s crew? The Alonzo kid?”
He nods uncertainly. “I have him working the graveyard shift as a bouncer at a strip club.”
“Bring him here. From now on, he’ll be Camille’s personal bodyguard, and he will report directly to me.”
