Page 48 of Brando

The only thing I care about as I step into the silence of the warehouse is getting to Jayson and making sure this damn mess doesn’t spiral further out of control.

I’m not here for pleasantries. I’m not here for small talk.

I’m here to make sure Mia is safe.

As I walk into the dimly lit warehouse, I spot Jayson almost immediately—his figure standing by the far wall, arms crossed, eyes scanning the room. He doesn’t look nervous. He looks... prepared. But then again, so do I. We’re both playing a dangerous game.

“Brando,” Jayson greets me, his voice steady but with a slight edge that suggests he may be wary as to why he’s here so soon after we first met.

“I need to know Mia’s still alive. I need to hear it from you now; I need to know she’s safe.” My voice is low and controlled, but my tone betrays my calm; it lets him know that if he tells me the wrong thing, I’m ready and waiting to lash out, a powder keg about to explode.

Jayson doesn’t flinch. Instead, he shifts his weight slightly, as though considering the right words. “She’s alive. Frank hasn’t hurt her, but he’s... The house is heavily guarded, Brando. Getting her out won’t be easy.”

I nod, my jaw tightening. “We don’t have time for easy. You make sure she stays alive. No matter what happens, you keep her safe.”

“I’m doing everything I can,” he says, meeting my eyes. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt, Brando. Not Mia, not anyone. You have my word.”

“Your word doesn’t mean anything without proof,” I snap back, stepping closer. “I’m not interested in your word, Jayson. Frank’s a dead man either way. Best you choose a side to play on...” I let the threat hang in the air between us.

Jayson looks unfazed, though I see the flicker of something—something almost imperceptible—in his eyes. Guilt? Fear? Either way, it’s enough to tell me he’s not entirely sure what side he’s on either.

“The only reason I’m working for Falcone is because my cousin planted me there,” he says finally, his voice softer but stillfirm. “I’m just trying to survive, Brando. Just like you. But I’m telling you now—I have no loyalty to Frank Falcone. I’ll get you the intel you need, and I’ll help you get her out. But I need your trust. I can’t do this if you doubt me.”

I step back, considering his words carefully. Trust. It’s something I’m not willing to give lightly. But this isn’t about me. It’s about Mia. And if I have to take a risk—however small—to make sure she’s safe, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.

“I’m giving you one chance, Jayson,” I say, my voice cold but resolute. “One chance to prove you’re on the right side. Do this, and we’ll talk. Do anything else, and I’ll buy you a plot next to Falcone.”

Jayson’s eyes flash, but he doesn’t say anything, just nods once. It’s enough.

“Good,” I say, turning toward the door. “You’ll make sure nothing happens to her, and we’ll get her out. I just want you to keep her safe until we get to her.”

“I will. You have my word,” he repeats.

I don’t look back as I walk out. My mind is already on my next move as I go over the plans we prepared to end this once and for all. And when I have Frank, there won’t be one merciful bone in my body.

25

MIA

Frank leans against the cold, unforgiving wall, his shadow stretching ominously across the floor as he watches me standing defiantly at the other end of the room. My heart races, each thump a reminder of the risks I’m taking. My sisters are locked away somewhere, location unknown, their fates dangling precariously in Frank's hands.

His voice is smooth like oil when he drawls my name. “Mia. You need to understand. This is your life now. You’re not going anywhere.”

I clench my fists, nails biting into my palms, a surge of rage coursing through my veins. “You can’t keep me here forever, Frank! We had a deal, and this wasn’t part of it.”

I should have known he wouldn’t uphold his end of the bargain. I knew he couldn’t be trusted, so what would make me think that he’d play fair? He chuckles, a low, menacing sound that sends chills down my spine. He steps forward, closing the distance between us, his presence suffocating.

“You’re only making things harder on yourself,” he hisses.

“I want to see my sisters.”

It’s been three days since he showed me the live stream of my sisters as he activated the auction and bids started coming in. Three days in which I’ve done nothing but sit in this room and wait for something to happen. Something. Anything. But all I get is a whole bunch of nothing and more of Frank being his usual asshole self.

My breath quickens, but I refuse to show him any of the fear currently swimming through my bloodstream. “A deal is a deal Frank. You broke that deal. You can’t hold me here against my will.”

“Why not?” he snaps. “I’m holding your sisters, aren’t I?” He quirks an eyebrow at the reminder. “Why not you, also? What makesyouso special?”

I fold my arms across my chest, looking at him nonchalantly. “Oh, I don’t know, Frank. You tell me. Why am I so special that you feel you can’t stay out of my life, where you’re not wanted?”

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