Page 17 of Trapping His Assassin

My eyes widened that he would even deign to give me an apology. “W-what?”

He ignored me. “I suggested you should go to the Stables, and that’s not somewhere you want to be.”

My eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

He hesitated before pushing a button on the center console. My gun was pressed into the back of his neck, before he had his hand back on the steering wheel.

“What did you push?” I demanded.

“It was a button to mute any sound in the vehicle. I don’t want anyone overhearing us.”

I didn’t relax. I kept the gun on his neck.

“So talk.”

His eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. “You aren’t going to lower your weapon?”

“Nope.” I popped my ‘p’ as loud and obnoxious as I could tolerate.

“I’m not going to hurt you. I wanted to speak with you,” he repeated slower, like I was going to pull the trigger with no warning. Not like I wasn’t a well-trained assassin, who didn’t even have to shoot him to hurt him.

“Right. What’s so important that no one else could hear us?”

He frowned. “Don Ricci is getting weaker and weaker. So, as much as I know you’re good at your job, I need you to stall a bit.”

This explained why Mateo was directing my day-to-day, and not the Don. Most would find it odd, but because of my reputation, I was used to leaders of the organization I was working for speaking with me directly. That way nothing could be misconstrued in the orders.

Killing was hard work, and the fewer people who had their hands in the pie, the easier the job went.

“I can’t stall.” There were things I had to do, and soon. Not that I could tell him that. Fine as he may be, I didn’t trust him at all. He would betray me as soon as he no longer needed me. I could see it in his eyes.

I was a tool for him.

“I’m not asking.” He glanced up at me in the mirror again, his eyes hard. “If unchecked, Don Ricci will stir up a war that hasceased years ago. I want the Russians to pay, but I don’t want to sacrifice the syndicate for it.”

“They are that strong?” I was impressed.

“With the psychos they have in charge? Yes. It’s why I believe that Alexie fuck had enough balls to pull off what he did with the Don’s late wife.” His accent deepened on ‘balls’ like he wasn’t used to saying the word.

“How long? The Don won’t wait for results, nor will The Academy.” I was issuing a warning to him.

“I’ve got both issues handled.” Sympathy flashed in his eyes. “No matter what, I promise you that we will change who is in charge. I understand your silence.”

The words hit me like a record scratch in my mind. I turned to glare at him, feeling anger surge through my body. “You were aware of this?”

He shook his head. “Not until recently.”

“No one would believe us,” I whispered, a glint of vulnerability slipping through.

“We can’t let them know yet. Keep the young one occupied for now, but don’t make any drastic moves. We need to earn his trust first. And don’t take him out until I say so.” His words reeked of a mafia boss’s authority, but he was far from being one.

My eyes scanned his sharply dressed figure, taking in the expensive suit and polished shoes. It finally clicked – they were plotting a coup. My mind raced as I absorbed this information, my heart pounding in my chest. A sense of numbness washed over me, as I realized the true nature of Don Ricci’s seemingly charming persona. I couldn’t bring myself to feel any remorse for his impending downfall.

Then why did that guy make you feel something?

I nodded my agreement to Mateo, as he was pulling up to a fancy hotel room. Not as nice as the villa I stayed in, but it would do in this pinch.

“Remember,” he locked eyes on me as I was sliding out the door. “Wait for my signal.”

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