Page 26 of Bound to the Mafia Guard

“Ever since he returned from his little hiatus, he’s been learning self-defense. Joey has as well, but with him being pregnant?—”

“Oh, so you’re not willing to risk your pregnant mate, but you will risk mine?” I shouted.

Andro’s gaze turned slowly toward me, his icy stare pinning me in place. “I will forgive that outburst because of the situation and because you are family, but do not question what I’m saying. I’m listening to what Rowan wants. The two of you can make the final decision once we have a plan.”

I groaned. “I’m sorry, boss.”

“Forgiven. I don’t love putting anyone at risk, but Rowan is right. The faster we flush him out, the better we can all move on.”

I hated that they were all right. “Let’s start planning, then. Tonight, I want to be involved every step of the way.”

“Of course. We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

14

ROWAN

For all the bluster and confidence I had when convincing Trev to let me do this, when the time came to actually follow through, I was terrified. I had been coached and briefed on the plan until I had it completely memorized, and until the moment Connor had parked the car, I had total confidence that I would be fine.

Then the fears began rolling through my mind. A constant barrage of what if, what if, what if. I couldn’t shake the memory of waking up in a dark room, bound and helpless, the same way Brutus might leave his next victim. Each time I closed my eyes, it was like I was back in that room with the only sound being the tap of his cane.

“Just relax,” Connor said as the two of us strolled down the street.

We had parked our car in the back lot and began our trek down the sidewalk as if we were simply out for a regular stroll down Main Street. In reality, we were out there as bait.

A few days prior, Andro, Cord, and Trev had worked whatever mafia magic they had and put out information that I wasplanning to talk to the police about what I knew regarding my abduction. The rumor was that I had finally figured out who was behind it all, and I’d be blabbing to the police unless I was stopped. Whether that information had reached the right ears, I didn’t know.

Orsino had informed Andro that Brutus had taken the bait, based on something he’d observed at the casinos. Now it was show time.

Connor and I were making our way to the café where Brutus had been seen a few different times.

Apparently, he had made it clear he wasn’t going to be put into jail and would do whatever it took to keep me quiet.

Despite the fact that we had several people at the café ready to intercept any attack, my anxiety refused to be appeased.

“I’m fine,” I told Connor.

He chuckled as if I had said something hilarious and looped his arm into mine. “Just relax. We’re just two omegas out shopping.”

He pointed at a store window, and I followed his lead, stopping for a moment to look at the storefront and chat. To anyone else, it looked like we were window shopping. In reality, I was trying to keep it together. My hands shook and my stomach rolled.

“Shall we get a coffee?” Connor said.

“Yes, please,” I said. “Maybe with a shot of something strong in it.” I wished. If ever there was a time I needed alcohol, now was it. I couldn’t even have much coffee, since it wasn’t recommended, and alcohol was an absolute no.

Inside the coffee shop, there were four people I sort of recognized—not because I actually knew them, but because Trev had shown me their pictures. They were on our side. All of them were guards that he or Andro had handpicked for this operation. They were the best of the best, and if today went as planned, I’d owe them my life.

We ordered our coffee, and I kept looking around, but nothing struck me as a threat. It felt like just another day.

When we sat down at our little table, Connor sipped his coffee.

“I didn’t find what I was looking for,” I said, hoping I was being covert enough.

“Maybe it’s at the next shop,” Connor replied, giving me a reassuring smile that barely masked the tension in the air. He leaned in closer, lowering his voice as he glanced around the café. “Just remember what we practiced. If you see someone who looks remotely suspicious, act natural. We’ll play our part until they show up.”

“It’s not like he can hide. His limp is pretty pronounced.”

Just as I said the words, each of the guards suddenly stood. The chime on the door dinged, indicating a person had come into the cafe. The hair on the back of my neck rose and anxiety prickled up my spine. My neck craned as I looked around for what the guards were reacting to.

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