Page 76 of The Price of Power

“It’s fine,” I assured him. “I’ve got Matteo with me, Tony. What’s the trouble?”

“I just got a call from one of our guys in the FBI. He said Theo Collins is in town.”

My brows pulled together as I looked over at Matteo. Clearly, he was thinking the same thing I was because he asked, “Why the hell does the FBI care about Theo Collins’ movements?”

“Because apparently, he contacted the office out here, saying he has evidence against Gabriel for a whole list of crimes, including kidnapping.”

“Theo went to the feds?” My blood began to boil. Any good feelings I’d been holding on to evaporated in an instant. “That asshole is a dead man.”

Fortunately, Matteo was able to keep a cooler head and ask the important questions. “What kind of evidence is he talking about?”

“Voicemails,” Tony answered. “Our guy says the feds have only heard a few short ones so far, but that Theo swears he’s got a big juicy one—some long conversation between you and Theo’s sister that’s going to put you away for life.”

Shit.

It had to be from that first meeting when Liv had dropped her phone. The call had kept going, and Theo had heard every word. Now, he was trying to use it against me.

“If it’s that incriminating, why hasn’t he handed it over yet?” Matteo asked, his expression serious and grave.

“He’s keeping it as security until he gets everything he wants from them—protective custody, immunity from prosecution, witness relocation. The whole nine.”

“And does our guy think he’s going to get it?” Matteo asked.

“Yeah,” Tony admitted with a heavy sigh. “Apparently, he’s already secured the protective custody part. The feds have put him up at one of their safe houses near the Brooklyn Bridge. Now Theo’s just waiting for them to clear the rest of his demands with the Marshals and the DA.”

“So we still have time to shut him up,” I said, nodding at Matteo.

Thank God for bureaucratic red tape. It would be days before three government agencies could get all their paperwork in order and approved.

“Did you find out the address of the safe house where they’re hiding him?” Matteo asked.

Tony gave an address off Madison Street—one of the old housing authority buildings by the water.

“You want me to take a team down there tonight?” Tony asked.

“No.” Even though he couldn’t see me, I still shook my head. “There is no need for you to put yourself at risk so soon after your job with the Giordanos. I’ll talk to my brother Dorian. He can go in tonight and clean things up so the feds won’t be able to point their finger our way.”

That was Dorian’s specialty, after all. He was a ghost. Known as the Angel of Death across the city, he was able to take out any target without leaving a trace of evidence behind.

Sure, he wouldn’t be happy that I was asking him to get back to work so soon after announcing his engagement, but he’d do it. The moment I explained what was at stake, there would be no stopping him. His loyalty to our family was unmatched.

“You know what’s best, boss,” Tony agreed before ending the call.

And judging by the nod Matteo gave me right after, my twin agreed.

It was the right call. Probably the easiest one I’d make all day.

So why was my chest tight and my heart heavy?

Liv.

I tried to shake off the feeling as my brother walked into the kitchen to start his day like usual, but it refused to budge. I wasn’t sure why.

I’d known this day would come.

So did Liv. I’d been brutally honest with her from the very beginning. But I still couldn’t help but feel this strange ache deep in my belly. A pain I could push away. The same one I’d felt the day I ordered my Uncle Sal’s death.

Guilt.

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