Page 99 of Filthy Little Games

“Because the only potential leaders in their family besides Gideon is Gia, who is probably going to marry one of the Sanna boys. They were chatting it up at Emilio’s dinner. Then there’s the younger brother, Zaven, who is less serious than even you areabout running things. Gideon wouldn’t make that big of a play when he knows he’s barely holding on to his own house.”

“Fine. So, it wasn’t the Marinos either. That just leaves Sanna, who hates Emilio Rovina, so I doubt they would work together to take you out. Hell, who knows? Maybe Aiden Sanna and Emilio Rovina only pretend to hate each other and were in on the attack together. Team ASER.”

“Aser?”

“Aiden Sanna and Emilio Rovina.”

“Right.” I roll my eyes. “But it’s possible, I guess. I don’t fucking know anything anymore, and it’s driving me fucking insane.”

“That’s all that’s driving you insane?” Tristan chuckles.

“Zara will be gone in a few days, and it’ll be like she was never here,” I assure him, wishing I believed that lie myself.

Gideon Marino was only twenty-five-years-old when he took over the family business after his father died. He’s handled himself well enough these last five years, expanding their shipping business all over the world. The Marinos can get you anything from anywhere and can send anything wherever you want it to go.

“Gideon, thanks for meeting with me,” I say as I approach him and his crew just inside the harbor warehouse. I hold out my hand for him to shake.

“No problem, it sounded urgent, and I felt bad for not checking in on you after the funeral.”

“You were low on my suspect list.”

“Good to know,” he says. Pushing up the sleeves of his button down, he reveals the tattoo of a sea serpent that takes up his entire forearm. I swear this family thinks they’re a bunch of pirates. Every made man in their crew is required to get the ink on a visible part of the body. To not openly show off the sea serpent is asign of disrespect to their family, like they’re ashamed of their association with one of the largest importers in the world. Legal and not so legal drugs.

“So, what’s up?”

“I need a favor from you.”

“How big?”

“I need three women and a child out of the country, and as many of my guards as you can cram into a boat to accompany them on the voyage.”

“Do you have a particular destination in mind for this large group of individuals?”

“No. Just the further away, the better.”

“Will the women and child have papers?”

“I’m working on that. I’m hoping to have the documents by morning.”

He nods. “Then you’re in luck. I’ve got some cargo headed to Lisbon tomorrow. It’s one of the…shorter destinations.”

Portugal would be a great place for Zara, and the shorter the trip, the better. Fuck. The country feels a million miles away from New York, though. I know a flight would be easier and faster, but that requires more documentation and is easier to track.

“Deal. Name your price. How many guards can you take to escort them?”

Rubbing his chin, he says, “I’ll have to look at the manifest, but three or four should be fine. Is that going to be enough protection?”

“Do you think it’s enough protection for three women and a child on a cargo ship?”

“I think your women and kid would be fine without any, but that’s your call.”

“None of them are mine,” I lie. Since Zara is leaving, there’s no reason for anyone to ever know we’re married.

“If you say so.”

“And I need them to not be seen by anyone while boarding, if you can help it.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he asks, “How deep in shit is this going to get me if it blows up in my face?”

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