Page 108 of Filthy Little Games

I hear several notification pings right after I hit send coming from nearby. Heading toward the sound, my heart sinks to the sidewalk when I see a pile of cell phones and guns inside a planter near the building’s entrance.

I don’t even have to look to know they’re my guys who are as good as dead, along with Zara, if we don’t find them fast.

33

Zara

Ithought it was odd for the driver and passenger of the long white passenger van to insist everyone leave their weapons and cell phones behind; although, I know Creed is strict about those things in his club. After all, only his guys had devices and guns.

But then when the van drives over the Queensboro Bridge, heading the opposite way to the Staten Island harbor, I know that something is definitely wrong.

I try not to panic, not wanting Oriana, who is sitting on my lap in the middle row with the nannies, to worry.

While I pull off my rings and slip them into my jean pocket, I whisper to the guards squeezed into the two back rows and the nannies next to me, “This isn’t the right way.”

“Sure, it is,” says the driver. He even meets my gaze in therearview mirror, a grin on his face. He, unfortunately, looks familiar.

If I had to bet, I’d say he’s one of Emilio Rovina’s men. I don’t know how the hell that’s possible, though. Maybe I’m just being paranoid.

Clearing the worry from my throat, trying to keep my voice calm, I ask, “Where are we going exactly?”

“Right where you need to be,” he replies ominously. “If anyone tries anything, I’ll run this vehicle into a brick wall. Me and Danny will survive, since we have airbags.”

Oh shit.

Emilio somehow knew when and where I’d be waiting, or someone saw me standing outside the building with Oriana and told him so he could have us picked up. I honestly don’t know what’s going on, but whatever it is, isn’t good.

After we pull up to an unfamiliar building and park in a double garage, the driver says, “Everyone out. Slowly. Try anything, and we kill all the women right now.”

Creed’s men are good guys. They wouldn’t let us die just to save themselves.

How do I know?

Because once everyone climbs out of the SUV, they all lift their hands in the air. They allow the three approaching armed men to pat them down. Those same men come and do the same to me and the nannies. I take one of Oriana’s small hands while Paige takes the other.

“Mr. Rovina expected better than this from you girls,” the driver says to Paige and Bethany.

“We were held at gunpoint. There wasn’t much we could do, but at least we stayed with his granddaughter,” Paige tells him. She still doesn’t know Oriana is his daughter, not grandchild.

“Right,” the man mutters with a roll of his eyes. “I’m sure Mr.Rovina will understand. Now, in an orderly fashion, everyone start walking over to that door.” He points the way.

I wish there was another option. Any option other than letting my daughter return to this son of a bitch. While I could try to grab her and run, I have no doubt his men would fire at me, and one of the idiots could accidentally hit Oriana.

“Too risky,” Paige says, as if she’s thinking the same thing.

“I’m sorry. I’ll figure a way out of this,” I promise them.

“You should worry about yourself, not us,” she whispers back.

I’m worried about us all, actually. Especially Oriana. She doesn’t seem to realize that we’re marching most likely to our deaths as she swings from between me and Paige. At least, I know she’ll be safe for the time being. Emilio won’t intentionally hurt her. No, he’ll wait until she’s older, so he can control her like he does his other children.

Our procession into what I’m thinking is Rovina’s construction office, since there’s a big truck with their logo in the garage, stops as the man in the front speaks to someone in the doorway. “Boss says only the women are going inside.”

No, no, no.

“Please!” I beg them. “These men…they were only sent to protect Oriana. That’s all they’re meant to do.”

“We know they’re part of the Ferraro family,” one of the men says. “Now get inside!”

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