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The hairs on the back of my neck rose. Now I saw were Bruno got it from. His father was a fucking savage. Thick Irish accent, that brooding, unflinching stare. He was more dangerous than the IRA, more sinister than any high-level corrupt cop, more formidable than even Dominic Salvatore…when he was pissed, at least.
“Adrian,” Michele Valachi murmured. “I understand you’re furious. But let’s hear what Mateo is proposing.”
The Commander just swallowed hard, shifted his gaze to me, then back to the camera. “We condense the buildings. Have three buildings with each floor occupied. The remaining guards will be divided evenly, utilizing the private security for the heirs of the Commission, of course.”
There was a twitch on Adrian Bernardi’s lips. “So, your idea is a backpacker-hostel type scenario?”
Jesus.
The Commander shifted in his seat. “Until we get reinforcements.”
“And when will that be?” Michele cut in.
“Three days, four at the most. I’ve sent a request for a team of mercenaries to hunt them on the shore. They’ll be sending their first lot of reports in three hours.”
“Three hours until even the most basic of protection is watching our blood,” Adrian growled.
Three hours.
Three hours, then Kat would be safer. I glanced toward the closed door, picturing Freddy and Logan waiting just outside. This meeting was taking too fucking long…far too long.“There’s no sense in bitching about whatshould be done.”The words slipped from my lips.
The Commander flinched and mumbled, “Here, here.”
I hadn’t realized I’d spoken out loud. But now all eyes were fixed on the screen in front of me. I swallowed hard and cleared my throat. “What I mean to say is, we’re not fucking useless here. Bruno,” I glanced toward Adrian Bernardi, then to Michele Valachi. “And Evan, Alexi, Ms. Ivanov, and I.” I glanced at the decrepit old geezer sitting in a pitch black study and continued. “Are trained to protect ourselves. So we’re better served combining forces. It’s why we’re here after all, isn’t it? Make alliances…be allies. What better time to do that than right now?”
There was silence.
Uncomfortable silence.
“We’re under attack here,” I urged, feeling that Stidda savagery rise to the surface. “And weneedto counterattack. The best way to do that is to protect ourselves, gather our forces, and plan our attack. The Commander here is the best man for the job.”
There was a twinkle in the Commander’s eyes. I shot him a hard look,don’t get turned on.
“You’re right,” Adrian muttered with a nod.
Was there a hint of pride in his eyes? Fuck. He leaned back. “Get it done, Commander. I expect a full briefing as soon as your men are in Mauritius.”
“Will do,” Mateo gave a nod and leaned forward, “Gentlemen,” before hitting the button and ending the call. “Fuck,” he said, and exhaled hard, then shot me a hard-to-read look. “Thanks for having my back there.”
“I didn’t,” I growled, and pushed from my seat. “It was the only logical step. But be warned, Commander, one more fuck-up…one more attack, and I’ll come for your fucking job.”
It wasn’t a threat.
It was a promise.
I grabbed the door handle and yanked it open. Freddy and Logan glanced my way as I strode out and headed for the door.
“Everything okay?” Freddy prodded, falling into step.
“If you mean, are we going to be bunking with a heap of rich kids and Mafia heirs, then yeah, sure.”
“Jesus, that sounds like fun.”
“Sounds like a fucking disaster.,” Logan muttered. “A bunch of rich, opinionated pains in the ass.”
“Hey.” I cut him a glare. “I’m one of thosepains in the ass.”
“Exactly,” he muttered, and stared straight ahead as we strode through the doors and out into the howling wind once more.
