Page 44 of The Forbidden Secret

“I won’t get caught.”

“If you do, you’d better end yourself because Iwillbe ensuring the safety of my family.”

I understood. He would send someone to kill me before I talked, and he wouldn’t feel an ounce of remorse for it.

I had a child now. I had a woman who cared for me and accepted me for the person I was. I didn’t want to be my father, and knowing that, I wouldn’t allow myself to become him. I couldn’t imagine a day where I would become anything like my father, even if I took after some of his tendencies.

I wouldn’t be my father.

I would keep my family safe.

* * * *

Clide Newton didn’t slack on his security and their placement.

In fact, the longer I watched his mansion in a suburb of New York City, the more meticulous all the security details seemed. There were two guards at any given entrance and exit, whether it be doors or windows. None of them appeared outwardly armed, though I didn’t doubt they packed substantial heat beneath their clothes.

There was no way into the premises.

Not even one.

I lay on the rooftop, binoculars in hand, as I watched the guards for hours, notating the rotations and the way none of them seemed at all distracted by their counterparts.

“Fuck,” I mumbled as I watched the rooftop security on various structures surrounding the house, giving themselves a bird’s eye view of the manner house.

There was only one place that the rooftop security couldn’t see—what looked like a poolside door on the back corner of the house, surrounded by decorative trees and shrubbery.

Everything banked on me getting into this house and taking out Clide Newton. It seemed like an impossible task, but if I had help, there would be a slightly higher margin of success.

Slightly.

I didn’t like the odds, but we had seen the way the man traveled, and it would be impossible to take him out on the move, especially without knowing where he planned to go or the routes he would take to get there. The only option we had, without tracking him for an extended amount of time, was to break in here.

To take him outhere.

I watched as everyone rotated and moved as a unit, and I considered all my options. I considered a distraction and a discreet entrance. I considered it all. But as I watched a man in uniform leaving a “Pool and Spa” truck and walking toward the front door, a plan budded to life.

I would take care of this, even if I didn’t come out.

Chapter Eighteen

Evelina Bianchi

I bounced on my toes as Jaimie stood in front of me, seemingly distracted and unfazed by my movements.

“Has anyone told you not to bounce so much? It makes you look antsy and inexperienced. Nobody will take you seriously.”

“I don’t need anyone to take me seriously. I just need them to be hurt enough to leave me alone,” I countered as I balled my fists. “My Uncle taught me a lot. We did weekly lessons my entire childhood and into adulthood, but when he passed, the lessons stopped. It’s been a while, and I’m rusty.”

“Did you actually listen to the lessons?”

I narrowed my eyes. “You don’t need to berude.”

“Either you didn’t listen, or your uncle sucked ass at fighting. Knowing you, it was probably the former.”

Jaimie had been here a lot, and I couldn’t tell if I wanted her as a lifelong friend or if I wanted to genuinely fight her. Both were options right now, and I wondered if I should take full advantage.

“You’resupposed to be teaching me, not insulting me.”

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