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“It’s too late. She’ll be dead within the hour, and it’ll look like you let her die. The bratva won’t forgive you.”
“How do you know?”
“A little birdie told me.”
“Did Edoardo order this?”
“No.”
I believe him.
“Then why do you know?”
“I heard Tony talking to some guy on the phone. He was ordering a hit put on some associate in Kansas City to make sure the Grassos know we aren’t shitting them when we say we want this deal. The guy said he couldn’t get to it because he had another job. Tony demanded to know what came before his request. The guy told him.”
That’s not how mercenaries work. They don’t tell anyone what jobs they have lined up. Either Giaco is fucking with me, or this gun-for-hire is fucking with Tony. I’m leaning toward the latter. Whoever this is, is going after Chellie since we already know the threat exists, and Giaco’s explanation is too close to what Maks told us.
But there has to be a reason this mercenary would share that with Tony. And Tony’s an idiot for having a conversation like that where anyone could hear. Not everything is adding up yet, but I’m seeing the pieces and pushing all the corner and outside ones out of the way while I sort out the center ones. I’ll have the puzzle put together, but I’m not there yet.
“Who’s the guy?”
“I don’t know. Truly.”
That much I can tell is true. If he overheard a conversation, the guy wouldn’t have introduced himself. And Tony has to have at least enough sense not to say it where anyone could hear. There’s always a snitch somewhere.
Each word is getting weaker and weaker as he gasps. His voice is almost impossible to hear. Between the pain and blood loss, he’s almost useless now. I know I won’t get more out of him, so I put the muzzle of my gun to the space between his eyebrows. I look away to avoid the blood splatter on my face, then I pull the trigger. I make sure I leave nothing to identify us after I pull out that bullet. He’s sprawled, naked, on the street with annihilated stuffed animals surrounding him.
I didn’t get blood on my face, but it’s on my clothes. I walk to the back of the SUV and open my bag. I strip and scrub myself with the wipes doctors use before surgery. I don’t care if my guys see me. Not the first time. Not the last time. Rocco gathers everything up, along with Giaco’s clothes. He pours lighter fluid on the pile and sets it ablaze. The flames won’t grow big enough for anyone to notice in the industrial park. But it ensures nothing remains to identify us.
By the time he’s torched everything, I’m dressed again. We can’t linger any longer. We’ve already been here long enough to risk being seen. I just want to go home, but it looks like Urbana and New Orleans are on my travel plans. Thank God for private planes. At least I’ll get to each place fast. I just pray I don’t have to extend this and go to Kansas City, too.
I dig out my phone and tap on Marco’s contact. I let it ring three times, then hang up. I do it a second time. On the third round, he answers. He knows this is business, so he should answer. He gets straight to the point after we both say hello.
“Is it done?”
“Yeah. But shits not adding up. Edoardo’s nephew was the driver. He said Tony tried to take a hit out on one of Grasso’s men. The guy said he couldn’t take the job right now because he’s going after Michelle. I don’t want her out of our sight. She goes nowhere, Marco. If she has a problem with that, too bad. Tell her I ordered it.”
“That’s not going to go over well if I tell her, and she doesn’t hear it from you.”
“You know it’s safer if you tell her in person.”
“I will. I’m just saying you’ll come home to a shitstorm.”
“I know. Do it. I’ll deal with the fallout when I get back.”
“All right.Ciao.”
“Ciao.”
I want to call Chellie tonight, but I can’t. I have a burner, but I won’t risk any calls to her. I miss the way she smells and feels. I miss the soft moans she whispers against my ear. I miss looking in her eyes as I make her come, as she makes me come. Fucking hell. As if I didn’t already hate this life enough. Now I’m in love.
ChapterSixteen
Chellie
I look up from my desk, surprised to see Marco standing in the doorway.
“Hey.”
