Page 100 of Falling for the Enemy

“But that’s not all,” Nikolai continues, right eye twitching. “All six of the marked cargo containers that were unloaded have been emptied, their contents nowhere to be found.”

Possessed by the same rage that has risen, sinking its claws into my heart, Casper brings his fisted hand down onto the table, knocking over and ultimately busting a piece of my crystal stemware.

“That fucking svoloch,” he growls, echoing my thoughts. “If Sergei’s done what I suspect, I will wipe the entirety of Brighton Beach and every other piece of territory he owns off the map!”

My gaze sweeps to Alejandro.

One look into his enraged eyes and I know he’s already snapped the puzzle pieces that Nikolai just dropped at our feet into place, decoding their hidden message.

La Famiglia may be all but extinct thanks to both the Kings and cartel, but it matters little when Stefano has just gone out and purchased a new faction.

One that rivals my own in strength.

“It looks like we won’t need to use me as bait after all.” The smile that contorts my face is nothing less than sinister. “Nyet, not when Stefano and Sergei have teamed up and are presumably headed straight for us.”

The attack on Jade was a distraction.

At least, that’s what I assume.

I don’t pretend to understand the working of Stefano's mind, but I suspect their early morning attack was merely a stunt meant to tear Alejandro from my side. A place he hasn’t left since saving me at the warehouse.

Not even to return to Colombia for business.

Instead, he’s chosen to have his soldiers back in Medellín handle whatever needs in-person attention. The situation isn’t feasible long-term, but for now, we’re making it work.

Much to Stefano’s disconcertion, I’m sure.

To reach me, he needed Alejandro out of the way. And what better way to accomplish that than to hurt someone in his family, knowing he’d race to their side the moment he found out?

But Stefano’s plan had one fatal flaw.

There is no separating us.

Where Alejandro goes, I follow.

“You do not leave my side,” he grates out, dropping the hand that still holds my wrist before cupping my face. “I want my eyes on you at all times. If Stefano is coming here to attack us head-on, then you and I will burn him—”

Boom!

The ground beneath my feet shakes as an explosion rocks the mansion, setting off the alarm system. Its high-pitched scream pierces the air, nearly making my ears bleed.

“They took out the fucking gate!” Casper screams as my attack canines surge forth, their ferocious barks growing distant as they race down the driveway.

If any of Sergei’s men harm a single hair on their furry heads, I will cut their balls off and force them down their throats.

No one hurts my dogs.

Dropping his hand from my face, Alejandro turns and moves in front of the blast-proof dining room window. His eyes widen a second before he turns and dives in my direction, taking me to the floor with him, his body covering mine.

Boom!

A second explosion rocks the house.

Shattered glass and bent metal fly into the room, hitting Casper's front and Alejandro’s back. “What the fuck was that?” the latter yells, his voice irate, but thankfully unhurt, same as Casper. “An RPG?”

I care little about what weapon they’ve used to destroy my window—a blast-proof one at that—but it’s clear they’re heavily armed.

We need to move. Quickly.

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