Page 4 of Savage Angels

“All right,” I say out loud to myself, clenching my fists as I make up my mind. “Time to get shit done.”

***

The next morning, I gather Dirt, Jonas, Judge, and Bear in the clubhouse. Their loyalty to the club and respect for me has never wavered, and I need that kind of unwavering support now more than ever.

“Listen up, boys,” I start, ensuring they all know how serious this situation is. “I need to make sure we can always reach each other, especially my family. We’re going to strengthen our communication channels so we can stay connected. No more delays, no more being left in the dark. Got it?”

“Got it, Prez,” Dirt replies, his gruff voice echoing my determination.

“Good.” I nod, looking into the eyes of each of my brothers. “Jonas, I want you to work on setting up encrypted lines between us and the safe house. Make sure it’s secure and untraceable.”

“Can do, Prez,” Jonas says firmly. “Before all this, Guru was already making plans.”

Guru is our resident hacker and computer wizard.

“Judge, Bear, I need you two to devise a contingency plan just in case things go south. If we have to move them again, we need to be ready.”

“Understood, Prez,” Judge says while Bear nods in agreement.

“All right then,” I say, satisfied with the direction we are heading. “Let’s get to work. And remember, we do this for our family and the club. We’re all in this together.”

“Always, Prez,” Dirt adds, a determined look in his eyes.

The others nod in agreement. I may not be able to talk to Kat at the moment, but I can make damn sure nothing like this ever happens again. With our communication channels improving, I know protecting my family and club will be a lot easier. We will face any threat that comes our way, and no matter what it takes, I know with my brothers by my side, we will conquer anything and everything in our path.

Chapter Two

SALVATORE AGOSTINO

Captain, Abruzzi Crime Family

I haven’t heard from Emily in hours, and it’s driving me up the fucking wall. I know she’s safe with Tony, but being unable to talk to her is like a knife twisting in my gut. The silence in this house is suffocating, and all I want is to hear her voice reassuring me everything will be okay. But I can’t have that, not right now.

“Dammit,” I say to myself as I pace back and forth in my office, the worn wooden floorboards creaking beneath my shoes. My fists are clenched so tight my knuckles turn white, and I feel like my skull is about to crack open from all the worry and frustration bottled up inside me.

The air in the room feels heavy, like the walls are closing in.

“Fuck!” I shout, slamming my fist against my desk, sending papers and pens flying everywhere.

It does nothing to quell the storm raging inside me, though—if anything, it makes it worse. I force myself to take deep breaths and count to ten. It’s a trick Emily taught me when we first got together, something to help keep the anger at bay. And right now, I need all the help I can get to stay focused.

The only thing giving me a little solace is the knowledge Tony is with her. He would stand between her and the devil himself to keep them all safe. Tony may be getting older, but he’s still sharper than men half his age. Him moving them all to a safer place proves this.

For now, though, all I can do is pace, wait, and pray they’re safe. And when the time comes, I’ll be ready to strike with a vengeance that will make the earth shake and the heavens tremble. Just hold on a little bit longer, amare. I’m coming for you.

***

“Let’s go, Lorenzo,” I growl as I storm out of my house.

My right-hand man falls in step beside me as we make our way to the car. The drive to Don Abruzzi’s place feels like an eternity, but we finally pull into the driveway to his extravagant mansion.

“Remember, play it cool,” Lorenzo warns as we enter the opulent estate.

He knows me too well—knows I’m wound tight with worry over my family, and one wrong word could send me over the edge.

I take a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. One of the Don’s henchmen opens the door.

“Sal. The Don will be with you in a moment.” He opens the door wider. “You know the way to his office?”