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“Come on, we have to get out of here,” he growls, pushing me towards the doors. I let him. Coughing, we stumble out of the building.
Declan and Archer find us quickly, and we stand there, watching as the building collapses. The whole lot I’d worked so hard to build comes crashing down. We can hear the sounds of glass breaking and wooden beams crashing to the ground. Sirens fill the air, still too far off to save whatever is left of the club, reminding me of what will happen next.
I shove the folder into Declan’s hands. “Get that to Sienna and Declan,” I order. Turning to his brothers, I glare. “And you two, find out what the fuck happened tonight. The cops will be here any minute. You get any information you can and reveal nothing.”
“We know the drill,” Cain snaps. His hands are curled into fists, a deadly look in his eye.
Looking at the others, I know they’re thinking the same thing I am. This wasn’t an accident. It’s a hit. An attack. Declan takes off, melting into the crowd just as the police and firefighters arrive. I immediately head towards an officer, Archer and Cain at my back.
“What the hell happened here?” the officer asks, glaring as if this were our fault. The others rush around us, controlling the crowd and giving the firefighters room to work.
I straighten my jacket, eyeing him critically. “That’s what I’m hoping you’ll tell us.”
The officer ignores me and turns to Cain. “You the owner?”
Cain smirks. “No. He is.” He jerks his head in my direction, crossing his arms.
I wait for the realization to hit the poor guy. Once he does, red flashes across his cheeks. “I’ll need you three to stay here. We’ll have questions.”
“I’m sure you will,” I say coldly. “We’ll be here.”
The officer turns away, barking orders to the others. I stay right where I am, nodding to Cain and Archer to find out what they can. They disappear among the crowd, their eyes and ears open. There’s no doubt in my mind that this had been a staged attack—we just need to figure out who’s behind it. It could be anyone; the Russians, the Irish, the cartels. Even smaller crime families who think they can take the risk and get away with it.
They’re wrong, however. They attacked my business. Not just my family’s—but mine. And I will not take that lightly. I’ll find whoever’s responsible, and they’ll pay for their mistake. I watch as the flames die down, leaving behind nothing but smoldering ash and broken beams. It takes longer than I would have thought, but then again, we did have a lot of alcohol in there.
By the time the fire is officially out, it’s nearly four in the morning. Though the crowd still hasn’t dispersed. Cain appears at my shoulder, leaning in close, with Archer just behind him. “They’re saying it was a pipe bomb.”
“There were two explosions,” I note.
“Could be a delayed reaction from the first,” Cain suggests. “Either way, we know this wasn’t an accident.”
“Tell that to the insurance companies,” I mutter. That’s going to be a bitch and a half.
“You,” the officer barks, turning towards me. “Mr…”
I read the name stuck on his vest before I step forward. “Scarano.”
The minute it registers in that tiny brain of his, he pales just a tad. “Mr. Scarano, we have a few questions.”
“Of course.” I can’t help but feel amused by his reaction. During my father’s time, the Scaranos were feared, but always overshadowed by the Rosanias. Since Dante’s marriage to Sienna, however, our name has become just as notorious. Just as feared.
Officer Rowlings takes a pad and pen, flipping to a blank page. “At what time did the explosion go off?”
I glance at Archer, who steps forward. “Around two-thirty.”
Rowlings jots that down before clearing his throat. “Did you notice anything suspicious before the blast? Anything out of place?”
Red hair flashes through my mind. “No,” I say a bit impatiently. “It’s a club. Or it was. A bit too busy to notice anything out of the ordinary.”
Rowlings shoots me a look but doesn’t comment further. “Last question, and then I’ll let you go.” His eyes catch mine, unwavering. “Who might have wanted to destroy your club?”
“You mean, who might have wanted to attack me?” I correct. I glance behind him, eyes scanning the ruined structure. “Everyone.”
2
CARA
Itry to enjoy tonight. I really do. But as my best friend drags me towards yet another long line leading into New York’s hottest club, I can’t help but feel wary. Especially when this club is owned by just one of my father’s enemies.
