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“You’re right, of course. Don Diavonte has no right to attack your club or to set up shop in Griffinsford. The mafia being here will only make life harder for everyone who lives here.”
Mason murmured, “Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Since the townspeople don’t have the skills to fight a mafia war, that falls to us.”
I took a deep breath and got my head straight. “I’m in. What exactly do you want me to tell him?”
Storm sat in his rolling chair for a few seconds with his hands steepled together as he formulated his response. Finally, he spoke, “I want you to act like you’re sneaking down there after stealing the keys. Keep trying the keys until you find the one that opens the door. He’s behind the second door on the right. It’s the only door that’s locked.” Then tell him the town meeting will be at seven a.m. on the last Friday of the month at an old, abandoned barn where the highway intersects with Sermon Road. It’s visible from the highway. Explain to him that you overheard us talking about how we were gonna get the local citizens all riled up about paying protection money. Pretend like you’re worried about what Don Diavonte’s reaction to that will be.”
I shot Storm a dark look. “I don’t have to pretend—I really am worried about how their don is going to respond.”
“Great,” Storm gritted out. “It’ll be all that more realistic.”
Mason looked over at me. “You used to sayour don. This is the first time you’ve said their don.”
Something in my chest loosened. “I guess my alliances really have shifted—though since my father died and I learned of Don Diavonte’s plans for me, if I had to ally myself with any mobsters it would be the Russo brothers and their plans to take over from the old guard.”
Storm pulled out a key ring with about thirty keys on it and tossed it on the desk in front of me. “Take a few moments and think about what you’re going to say. There’s no rush. When you’re ready, walk downstairs and tell Rob that I want to talk to him. He should be the only guard on duty right now. Act like you’re going to follow him back upstairs and then just double back. Rob already knows my plan, so everything should go off without a hitch.”
“Are you sure you can do this, Aprilia?” Mason asked worriedly. “You told me the guy creeped you out and scared you.”
“It’s okay. The fact that he knows I’m scared of him will make it seem all the more realistic that I’m setting him free to please Don Diavonte. Don’t worry, I’ll hold it together,” I said shakily. Truth be told, the thought of seeing him up close and having to talk to him was wreaking havoc with my nerves.
“If it’s any consolation, we have security cameras in the basement. If he looks like he’s getting aggressive, I can be down there in two minutes flat. So, if things go bad, you just have to hold out for two minutes.”
I struggled to get my anxiety under control. “I’ll be fine. He’ll probably be so happy to get a surprise release, he’ll just make a run for it.”
“We left the back of the property free of obstacles that might get in the way of his escape. If he skirts around the patio area, I doubt anyone will see him,” Storm said.
I reached out with one shaky hand and grabbed the key ring. I closed my fist around it and stood. “I can do this,” I said out loud before turning to leave the room.
Mason’s voice drifted to my ears. “Be careful. Don’t get too close to this guy. Open the door, deliver the intel, and get the hell back upstairs.”
I glanced over my shoulder at his worried face. “I will. Keep your eyes on me, okay?”
“We’re watching, and if that guy lays one finger on you we’ll be down there in a flash. But if there’s anything that you aren’t comfortable with and you want us there but don’t want to blow your cover, then you need a safe word or a gesture.”
Mason paused as he thought, and I was starting to have second thoughts.
“Grandmother,” he said. “If you need us to come to your aid then slip that word into the conversation. If you can’t, then maybe point your finger at him when you talk.”
He made the gesture that he wanted me to do, and I nodded, “Got it.”
“Trust me, Aprilia. I’m headed to Hacker’s office now to watch the security feeds in real time. Storm and a few of the brothers will be out of sight but within earshot. Call out if you need to.”
Chapter 17
Aprilia
Iheaded out of Storm’s office and down the hallway toward the basement. I walked down the steps, and into the downstairs bar that I had heard so much about. It was totally empty, but then I remembered someone saying it didn’t usually begin filling up until almost midnight on the weekdays.
I made my way to the far side of the room and opened the only doorway in the bar. It led to a short hallway with doors on both sides, like something out of a horror movie. Sitting in a chair beside one door was Rob, scrolling on his phone. When I began walking toward him, he glanced up at me. His eyes darted down to the wad of keys I had fisted in my hand and away again. Storm said he’d coached Rob on the plan, so he knew what the keys were for.
“Ms. Aprilia. I don’t think you’re supposed to be down here. You should go back upstairs before Storm finds out you’re trespassing in our private spaces.”
I spoke loudly in order to be clearly heard by Anthony. “I’m just here to get you. Storm’s looking for you. They want you in the meeting.”
“I can’t leave you down here, Ms. Aprilia. It wouldn’t be safe.”
“You Slayers are all so overprotective. You act like there are monsters lurking in every dark corner. Come on. I’ll walk upstairs with you, so you know I’m safe.”
