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Ezra Beaufort I, the one who got away. My great-grandfather. He was an enforcer forLe Milieu–the French mafia–and so was his father and grandfather before him. It was the family’s birthright back then. And the position was passed over to the next first born son.
Then the reigning family were taken out by their own consigliere along with anyone related to them. Ezra faked his death and ran away with his pregnant young wife to Italy. From Italy they went to Spain, from Spain to Mexico, and from Mexico, they passed through the border into Texas, where my grandfather was born. They didn’t just stay in one place, moving from state to state and town to town before finally settling in Brattleboro and getting into construction work.
“That’s it!” I snap my hands. “That’s it.” Even Massimo told me. The only way out is in a body bag. So, that’s the way I leave. Faking the death ofLa Fiamma. I can’t believe it didn’t occur to me sooner.
“What are you talking about now?”
“I’m going to fake my death,” I tell him.
“How do you see that working? It’s not as easy as it sounds. At least half the people in the organization have to see yourdead body to believe it. It’s not as easy as publishing an article announcing your death.”
I snap my fingers again. “You have contacts in media houses, don’t you? Get all of them on the phone. I’ll type out the story myself and all they have to do is just publish it tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Alex’s frown deepens. “Slow your roll, Romeo.”
“No. It has to be now.” I say, then explain how the operation went today. “Several people saw me get shot. The doctor had to stitch it up.” I roll up my shirt, so he can see the bandage.
“A shot in the arm is barely a death sentence,” Alex points out dryly. “No one’s going to believe it led to your death.”
I give him a wide smile, “Of course not. But everyone knows I never go on operations with them, and they’re aware of the growing distance between Massimo and me.”
“So?”
“So, I’m going to drive down to his house after our conversation. Pick a fight with him where everyone can hear. Maybe even raise my gun at him and get shot somewhere that could be fatal. I’m going to pretend to pass out.”
“Ezra–”
“There’s this abandoned ranch house where the bodies are disposed of by cremation. You’re going to follow them as they take me there. As soon as they leave, you come in and bring me home.”
“That is all easier said than done. You might reallydie,” he points out, and I swallow hard. I’m not doing this because I’m not scared of the things that might go wrong. I’m doing this because I have to.
“How about wearing a vest under your shirt? It reduces your risk,” Alex adds.
A bulletproof vest, he means. “That’s not going to work. They all need to see me bleed. That’s not going to happen if I’mwearing a vest.” I blow out a breath. “I know it’s risky. But it’s worth it.”
Anything is worth it, as long as I have Charlotte as mine, and I don’t have to worry about Moratti threatening her and my babies.
“I’m doing this, Alex. Are you in or not?”
“Of course, I’m in, you shit-head.” He frowns as he gets up from his chair. “Give me a moment to change.”
I smile. “You know I never thought the day would come when I’d see you wear silk pajamas, Alexander. Autumn really did a number on you.”
“Fuck off. As if you aren’t just as whipped by Charlie. Just you wait,” he warns as he leaves the office. My smile widens as I imagine a future where Charlie gets me to try stuff I never thought I would. I can’t wait.
“Haveyou told Charlie you love her?” Alex’s voice croons through the speaker. We’re driving down to Providence in different cars. I had to sneak back home to get the truck. This is La Fiamma’s signature vehicle, after all.
Alex is behind me in his Rolls. I told him it’s ridiculous, but he insisted the Rolls would blend in in Massimo’s rich neighborhood. He had a point, so I let him get away with it.
“You there?” he asks, and I frown, because I haven’t. Love is such a serious matter. I’m not sure Charlie is at that point yet.
“I’ve barely got her. I’m not going to spook her off with the L word.” As if the M word is any better.
“Maybe you should text her right now to let her know? Just in case.”
“Fuck you, Alex.” Text her I love her in case I don’t make it back? No, I’m not going to tell her until I make it back, just so I can tell her in person. I’m going to make it back. Iwill.
“I’m going to trust you to take care of her and the kids. My properties should be transferred to her. Everything I own is written in a document in my safe at the office. Just in case,” I add.
