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“Blow it up?” Frank laughed, flipping open his Zippo and bringing the flame to the end of his cigarette. “Damn, it’s always the quiet ones.”
“It’s a good idea,” Cade said, tapping the table with his index finger. “The Marion store is where he keeps the bulk of his clients’ product. He’d go running there in a heartbeat. And if one of his clients catch wind of it—which I’m sure they will—then they’ll be on his ass. We can lure him away and screw him over all at once. He’ll be fucked.”
“So you wanna start a war with the Barons for taking this guy’s flavor of the month? Damn, that’s some Helen of Troy shit.”
I slammed my fist into the table. “Don’t you dare call her that,” I snarled. Frank looked taken aback by my vehemence.
Cade grabbed me by the collar, leaning close. “Don’t let him bait you.” He turned back to Frank, glaring at him. “They fucking played you, you goddamn soft-hearted fool. They’re the ones who started this.”
Frank exhaled smoke and leaned back in his chair. “Yeah, well. I honestly thought he just needed help. I never seen him before, especially not with the Barons, but that’s probably because he’s so young. Must’ve just joined ‘em.” Frank’s gaze flicked to mine all of a sudden, and he laughed, then leaned forward on his tatted up forearms. “Who knew my kid would finally give his heart away? That must be some special lady.”
“She’s my goddamn—”
Brooks’ soft voice cut in. “Sorry, Court, but we don’t have time for this. We need to do this now. Frank, if you’re willing, you can take your men to Marion and hit Thorne’s store. Then, once he’s out of the estate, we move in. Get that woman out of there, save Whitney, and take what’s in the safe.”
Vincent, who’d been quiet up until now, said softly, “That woman is the daughter of a Mafia don. I don’t think this will be as easy as all that anymore.”
“What?” Brooks’ brow furrowed. “You recognize her?”
Vincent nodded. “I do.”
When he didn’t elaborate, Frank sighed and rubbed his temples. “Fuck. Fine. Let me get my guys and send ‘em out there. But you owe me.” He pointed at me, and I nodded.
“Thank you,” I said, hanging my head in my hands. I was having trouble breathing, just thinking about Whitney being drugged, kidnapped, at someone’s mercy, all alone…
A firm hand squeezed my shoulder. “She’ll be alright, kid.” Frank kissed the top of my head.
A shrill scream split through the compound, and we all tensed.
“What the fuck was that?” Cade said.
Frank laughed, but there was a sinister quality to it. “Oh, that’s just a little piggy making some noise. If you’ll excuse me, gentleman, I have to step out for a moment.” Frank started whistling a tune as he walked out of the room.
“Okay—” Vincent started, but Brooks interrupted him.
“No, hold on. How do you know that woman?” Brooks narrowed his eyes at Vincent.
He shrugged. “She’s my cousin.”
Brooks’ jaw dropped open. “What? Your uncle is a fucking Mafia don? I thought he was just…like…a soldier or something.”
Vincent sighed. “Well, I’ve only met him a handful of times and none of them recently.”
“So who the hell did Thorne kidnap? What’s her name?”
“Valentina Rossi. Angelo Rossi’s daughter.”
I perked up at the names being thrown around, instantly recognizing it from what Whitney had told me. “That’s—wait, Angelo Rossi is the one who’s after Whitney.” I turned to Vincent. “You knew that. You never told us he was your fucking uncle.”
Vincent raised his brows, his eyes cold on mine. “Because it was never relevant.” He cocked his head.
“It’s fucking relevant now!” Brooks protested. “That’s insanely relevant, asshole!”
Frank popped back into the room, one arm holding the door open as he told Cade, “I sent a few men to Jesse. They’ll watch over him.” He was covered in blood now, splatters of it staining his face and arms.
Cade exhaled. “Thank you.”
Trying to salvage this operation was going to be like threading a camel through the eye of a needle.
