Page 54 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

The stone walls and lack of windows in the panic room were perfect protection from bullets.

When I entered, Dario was holding Alessandra, and Adriano had Bianca in his arms.

Niccolo looked over at me and snarked, “Finally!”

“What happened?”

Before anyone could answer, Alessandra pushed away from Dario’s chest and looked at me frantically. “Where’s Caterina?!”

“She’s safe,” I reassured her. “She’s fine.”

Alessandra calmed down and sank back into Dario’s arms.

“Well, now we know whatyouwere doing,” Niccolo snarked. “Like we couldn’t smell it on you.”

“Donotfucking start with me right now,” I snapped. “What happened?”

Nic glanced at Alessandra, then pulled me aside and whispered, “A sniper tried to hit Dario.”

“Is he okay?” I whispered back.

“He’s fine.”

“What about everybody else?”

“Everyone’s fine.”

I looked around the safe room. “Where’s Roberto?”

“I sent someone to get him.”

“What about Lars?”

“He went after the shooter.”

“Then I’m going with him.”

If Lars was chasing the asshole who came after our family, there was no way I was going to wait around in a safe room.

I turned to leave –

But Niccolo grabbed my arm. “The hell you are!”

“Somebody needs to have his back!” I snarled.

“Half of our foot soldiers are already out there!”

“Then I should go, too!”

“They’re trained for this!”

“So amI!”

Nic knew it was true. He and Roberto had bailed on the military training Lars had put all the foot soldiers through – but me, Massimo, and Adriano had stuck it out to the bitter end.

It wasn’t bragging to say I was one of the best. All our soldiers were pretty good, but I was better than 90% of them.

“You’re a target,” Niccolo whispered harshly.

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