Page 89 of Cruel Love

I smile. “I’m sure the two of you can throw something together.”

She nods. “Okay. It’s settled, then.”

“No, it’s not,” Dante says. “Lucy, this isn’t your fight.”

Lucy doesn’t blink. “Marty Zappia killed my father,” she says. “He took everything from me, and you have the nerve to tell me that this isn’t my fight?”

“I killed Marty for that.”

“We should have taken them all out when we had the chance,” she adds. “If we had, then Elijah would still be here.”

“Luce.” He shakes his head. “That wasn’t your fault—”

“I’ve made my decision. I’m going.”

She bolts for the door and he takes a wide step to follow her.

“Lucy...”

“Mr. Hart,” I say, stopping him. “I believe the young woman has made up her mind.”

He backs down with a stiff jaw and watches as she leaves the room.

Fox clears his throat. “Do you have a sniper rifle?” he asks me.

I nod. “Of course.”

“I’ll keep watch from a neighboring roof,” he says. “Cover the back exit in case something goes wrong.”

“Perfect,” I say. “Markov and I will wait nearby until we hear from Lucy.”

Dante scoffs.

“Do you have something to add, Mr. Hart?” I ask.

“And if you don’t hear from her?” he asks. “What then?”

“Then, we go in for her,” Fox answers. “We’ll give Lucy a specific time. If we don’t hear from her by then, Dante and I will take care of it. If things go south, we’ll deny any involvement with the Lutrovas and you’ll be absolved of any unnecessary conflict with the locals.”

I nod. “Sounds good.”

Dante shakes his head. “Of course, it does. You risk nothing.”

“Dante,” Fox warns.

“Mr. Hart…” I say, staying calm, “shall I have my wife regale you with tales of Gio’s cruelty?” I ask. “If you knew the acts this man committed against my family then you would understand what I risk losing if Gio slips away from me again — which is surely possible as our plan hinges on a lightweight dancer with a limp.”

Dante flexes his jaw, but says nothing.

“I’ll get your rifle,” I say to Fox. “Markov, get everything else in order.”

Markov nods from his seat. “Yes, sir.”

I continue out into the hallway, taking a hard left toward the east wing. Perhaps I should have trusted my initial instincts regarding Dante Hart and subdued the snake the moment I saw him. I’ll let Fox straighten him out, but if he can’t...

Then, I’ll cross another name off my list tonight.

I nod at my security in the hallway. I called in a few extra men the moment I heard Gio was in Russia again and they’re all too happy to oblige. I slip into the armory at the end of the hall, gesturing at the men standing by and they disperse, letting me search the boxes alone for a sniper rifle to give to Fox.

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