Page 39 of Savage Angels

Clearing my throat, I walk past them and out of the dining room to the other end of the house. Judge follows, a huge smile on his face.

“What’s up?” I ask, concern growing in the pit of my stomach.

The smile drops from his lips. “Got some news from back home.” He hands me a folded piece of paper. “You ain’t gonna like it.”

“Fuck.” I take the note and scan its contents. My blood runs cold as I read the words scribbled hastily across the page. “Shit’s goin’ down in Tourmaline.”

“Seems like it,” Judge agrees. “We gotta get back there, man. Sort this shit out.”

“We were going to head home today, anyway, but I was hoping it would be peaceful.” I crumple the paper in my fist. “The sooner we get back, the sooner we can deal with whatever the fuck’s waiting for us.”

“Yep.” Judge claps me on the shoulder before turning to go back to Jasmin.

“Everything okay?” Kat questions as I return to her side, her green eyes full of concern.

“Something’s come up back home,” I admit, not wanting to lie to her. “We need to head back to Tourmaline as soon as we’re packed up.”

“Is it serious?”

I hesitate for a moment, not wanting to worry her more than necessary. “Not sure yet, darlin’. But I promise, whatever it is, we’ll handle it together, like always.”

“Okay.” She nods, her grip on my arm tightening. “Let’s get going then.”

***

“Everyone ready?” I call out as I buckle Kristen into her car seat as Kat ensures Jesse and the twins are safe.

With so many of us, we are in four separate cars. Shouts of affirmation answer me, and with one last glance at the beach house, I get in the car and drive toward the airport. Thankfully, Dave, the master at organizing travel, has ordered a plane trip home for all of us. It must have cost him a small fortune, but he said he didn’t want to miss out on any more time with Kat and his grandchildren. I’m not complaining. I feel safer having all those who mean something to me close by.

When we touch down at the nearest airport to Tourmaline, Dave has again arranged for a bus to drive us all back home. Jesse and Kristen are tired and bickering at each other. Kat looks exhausted from looking after the twins, and I just want some alone time with my wife and kids.

As we disembark, Kat with Blaze in her arms and me with Gunner, Sal moves to stand next to me.

“Do you need something, brother?” I ask.

“We’re not going to Tourmaline with you. I need to get back to Chicago. There are things I need to attend to that cannot wait.”

“Does Emily know?”

Sal nods, but his lips turn down. “She is not happy with me. Unfortunately, I can’t leave her with you. It’s too dangerous right now.”

“Sal, she’s my family. I’ll protect her.”

Sal smiles. “This is not a slight against you. I know you’d protect her, but after watching what you went through with Kat, I want my family close. As the new head of the Abruzzi family, I have a target on my back.”

We enter the airport, and what feels like a million flashes go off in our faces. The paparazzi have found us.

“Great,” I groan. “And it’s about time you called it the Agostino family.”

Sal shrugs at my suggestion. “You have enough to deal with.” Sal places a hand on my shoulder. “We will see you soon, and I’ll be in touch over the Yakuza. Kiyoko might just solve all our problems.”

Tony joins us. “Boss, I don’t like this. Too many people.”

Sal looks out over the mass of cameras and press screaming for The Grinders to talk to them.

“They aren’t interested in us, but yes, let’s get our family home.” Sal locks eyes with me. “Until next time, be safe, be well, and take care of yourselves.”

“You too, brother.”

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