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“If he did, he wouldn’t be in here.” I watch him, on his call. He glances at me, and I know that the caller has just told him that another woman has been snatched from his grip.
"Son of a—" He hurls his phone toward the wall.
“Once again, Romeo, I’ve taken something from you.”
"You think you've won?"
"Think?" I laugh. "I know, but this doesn’t have to be a complete humiliation for you. You’re not getting Elena. But I’m a reasonable guy. I’m willing to give you something else. What would you like?”
"You're delusional."
“Maybe. But you give me Giovanni Fiori, and I’ll give you whatever you want, except for Elena.”
The hate in his eyes is lethal. "You think you can buy me?"
"Everyone has a price. Even you."
"Go to hell, Leone."
“Eventually, I’m sure. But I’ll see your father and Fiori there first.”
His hands fist at his sides. Behind me, Donovan steps forward in case Romeo decides to try something. “I tried to handle this like a gentleman, but you're making it impossible."
“You’re a comedian. Can I hire you?” I laugh again. "Civil? You wouldn't know civility if it kissed you on the mouth."
Romeo's jaw clenches. "It's war, then. I’ll ruin you, and then I’ll kill you.”
“Get in line. There's nothing left to take, Abate. All I care about is watching your father and Giovanni Fiori crumble to dust." The lie rolls off my tongue, smooth as silk. But deep down, where no one can see, I know the truth. Despite my best effort to never care about anyone, Elena has wormed her way into my soul.
“Then what do you care about the woman?”
“I only care because you do. And Fiori does. She's just a pawn I’m going to use to bring you all down." The words taste like ash in my mouth. How is it that a man with no morals can feel like a fucking asshole for suggesting a woman is nothing more than a means to an end? Yet here I am, feeling like an asshole. If someone said to me about Elena what I just said, I’d shoot him. Or at least put him in a whole lot of hurt.
“It’s not over.” He pushes past me.
Donovan starts to move, but I nod for him to let Romeo go.
“That was fun,” Donovan says.
I nod, but I’m still feeling unsettled. Is it because my feelings for Elena are fucking me up, or am I missing something about this visit?
A scream tears through the club. Donovan turns to leave the area. “Get to the car, Boss.”
It’s his job to watch my back, but I’m not one to run. With adrenaline flooding my system, I follow him to the main area of the club. Several bangs ring out. Shots. Some motherfucker is shooting in my club. How did they get a gun in?
The dance floor erupts into a mass of hysteria, bodies colliding and stumbling to reach the door. Goddammit. Someone is going to get trampled and killed.
"Lock it down!" My voice cuts through the panic. My men spring into organized action amid the disorder. I don’t want to scare my customers, but there’s no way I’m going to let Romeo and his men out of my club alive. My hand instinctively goes tomy side, gripping the cold steel, ready to take Romeo out and send him in a body bag to his father.
I push through the throng of people, my senses heightened, every sound and movement amplified. I exit the club through a side door, hurrying to catch up to Romeo and his goons. A sharp pain pierces my shoulder blade. I turn, my hand shooting out to grip the neck of the person behind me.
His eyes widen like he didn’t expect me to respond. I look down to see the knife in his. I grab it with my free hand, and my gaze holds his as I squeeze his larynx. He’s clearly new at this, and I sort of feel sorry for him, but not enough to let him go. I thrust the knife in and upward into his gut. Then I let him drop as I race to the front of the club. Headlights flash as two cars peel out of the parking lot.
“Boss!” Donovan rushes up beside me. “You’re hit.”
“The guy there tried to stab me.” I’m pissed. "Follow them."
Donovan nods and rushes off. I don’t expect to hear from him until he’s killed them.
