Page 139 of Dangerous Contract: Part 2

"Put Orazio on the phone," Isla ordered.

"He's..." Monique stared over at Raz. "Busy."

"I don't have time for this. Give him the phone..."

"You'll talk to me, or you'll talk to no one," Monique said, not liking Isla's tone or attitude.

"Look..."

Monique spoke over her. "You look! I called Frederico's guard so we could talk about working together. We have to survive this first, and then Raz and Frederico can handle their issues later. They can't handle anything if they're dead."

"Listen..."

"We have men on the outside," Monique continued, sure reinforcements had arrived. "But they can't get in because the exits are guarded by the old don's men."

"Yes, we know that. That's why we haven't escaped."

"If we..." Monique jumped at the sound of gunfire.Damn it.Time was running out. "If we work together, perhaps we can get rid of those guards so Raz's men can get in and help take down the old don."

"Why are you running the show and not Raz?" Isla asked, sounding suspicious.

"Me or Raz, it makes no difference. We're one and the same."

"Oh, really?" Isla drawled. "That's not what he told me."

"He would have to talk to you to tell you that. And my Raz doesn't talk to strays," Monique stated as more gunfire sounded. "We don't have time to be catty. May I speak to Frederico's guard so we can figure a way out of this? I'll be available later if you need to see me after this is over."

Isla chuckled. "Yes, I need to see you, Monique Rose. For now, I'm willing to work with you. I'll pass the phone to Tomas. We will help find a way out of here, but that doesn't mean Orazio will not answer for what he's done to my father."

"Understood," Monique told her and waited for her to give the phone to Tomas. When Tomas got on, Monique asked him, "Are you all in a secure area?"

"We are," he replied, Italian accent thick. "We're in a back stairwell. A fire stairwell. We're heading to the first floor. We're moving slowly because we're having to carry the boss. Many of Mr. Cattaneo's men are walking the halls. We've killed a couple we encountered. It's hard to tell who is for Raz and who is against him."

"True. We're on the first floor, near the kitchen. Three of Raz's men are guarding the entrance to this section, but the old don's men are close to getting through. I hear gunfire."

"You need help keeping them out?"

"Yes. We also need to find a way to take out the men guarding the exits. I know I'm asking for a lot..."

"Earlier today, Frederico told me to do whatever you asked. I'll follow that order until he tells me otherwise. I'm not helping Orazio Cattaneo. I'm helping Monique Rose."

"Thank you, Tomas."

"All of my men are not with me. They've checked in from various spots in the gala. Now that I've found Isla and the boss, I can have my men make their way toward the exits if you can have your men ready to enter. My men will attract and distract. Your men will enter and help take them out. I'll come for you. Then we all go after the don. Is that good?"

"Yes, it is," Monique told him.

"Okay. Let me make the call, and I'll call you back. In the meantime, Raz's guard said he knows another way to the kitchen. We're heading to you now."

Monique told him where she was located. "Shout out your name when you get here."

"Yes," he said before ending the call.

Monique sighed as a sliver of hope eased some of her nervousness. Back up was on the way. She glanced at Raz again. He was still out cold. This medicine was more potent than Rome said it was.

Growing worried, Monique stood, preparing to check on Raz. Her phone rang before she could take one step in his direction.

"Hello," Monique answered quickly.

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