Page 111 of Dangerous Rhythm

“And who do we have here?” Serafina looked at Connor, and her eyes glinted when she turned her gaze to Curtis. “You got me presents, darling.”

“Mamma, what are you doing here?” Tony asked.

“That should be my question,” Serafina said, without moving her eyes from Curtis. “Imagine my surprise when I received a call from Sal here.”

Shit.

Sal grinned as he showed his smart watch.

Damn technology!

Lina’s hands fisted, feeling stupid for not stripping the stupid-looking bodyguard of his tech.

“What the fuck, Sal?” Tony glared at Sal, looking betrayed.

Sal looked confusedly at his boss, belatedly realizing he’d made a mistake.

“We’re on our way down,” Kate informed Lina and Curtis. “Hang tight.”

Serafina’s unsmiling face turned to Connor. “Hand over the bitch who ordered the hit on my son, and we’re even.”

“Your son killed my cousin first.” Connor looked at Serafina like she was nuts.

“Fine. Then I’ll hunt her down myself, and I won’t be as charitable as I am now.” Serafina turned, walking away without a care. “Victor, kill the Murphy and the Asians.”

“No!” Sofia ran to Connor as Victor casually pulled a gun out.

“Mother!” Tony hollered as he stomped forward.

The seconds ticked by slowly in Curtis’ view. He heard Lina shout to him as she went low, “Hit the floor!”

Instinctively, he followed her order and kissed the ground.

Lina tackled Tony by the legs and pulled him down. Connor was already on the floor, covering Sofia with his body, when a gunshot rang out.

Curtis looked up to see Sal holding up Victor’s gun arm away toward the wall, wrestling with the bigger guy for control of the weapon.

Lina jumped up seconds after the shot and intercepted Victor’s other hand, which gripped a blade, poised to stab Sal in his side, and twisted it out of the joint. Victor screamed. She swiftly secured the gun from Victor’s hand and out of Sal’s reach.

Wide-eyed, realizing what would’ve happened, Sal cursed, “Fuck! You’d kill me, man?”

“You stood in the way!” Victor yelled in pain.

“Idiots! The lot of you!” Serafina screamed, face red.

“Enough!” Tony was back on his feet, brushing the dust off his suit. “Sal, secure Victor.”

“All’s secure. Standby,” Lina whispered into her comms, signaling for backup to stand down.

Curtis got up and looked over at Connor, who was checking if Sofia was hurt from the abrupt drop to the floor. She was shaking but held on to Connor.

I guess all is forgiven there.

“Things are gonna change from this second,Mamma,” Tony said. “You are no longer in charge of our lives.”

“Oh, and who’s gonna be in charge instead? You?” she mocked.

“Yes, me and Sofia.” Tony didn’t raise his voice this time. “Your way isn’t for us,Mamma. It is time for you to move aside or we split ways.”

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