Page 76 of The Devil Can Be Kind

“There’s… something else,” I said quietly.

After working for almost four years at Pretty Penny Loans it was clear that the business had a few…misgivings. Aside from the obvious money laundering that is.

Although the company was considered only a small business with five members of staff to its name, there was a custom fit vault in the basement that cost more than my Brabus. I didn’t know for sure…but I was going to hazard a guess and say there was more than just a pretty penny stored inside.

“My old work. There’s a vault in the basement.”

“At Pretty Penny Loans?” Marco questioned, and I nodded.

“Not uncommon for a loan company.” Benny shrugged.

“Maybe not, but I’m pretty sure a dual-combination vault that’s double the size of this room is something to write home about,” I offered. “Not to mention the reinforced concrete walls and armored guards.”

That caught their attention. The men shared a look.

“Interesting. Very interesting,” Benny muttered, while Marco appeared deep in thought.

“We need to conduct covert surveillance of the site. I want to know everything that goes on in that building and why it’s so heavily guarded.” Marco said authoritatively, directing his words over my head to Jesse, who I didn’t realize was still present in the room.

“Yes, Boss.” Jesse nodded once and promptly left, leaving Benny, Marco and myself.

“Food for thought. Thank you, Miss Rossi.” Benny got up to leave as well, smiling down at me good-naturedly. “I will begin preparations.”

He nodded respectfully to Marco and departed the study.

Desperation clawed at my throat.

Had I just sentenced more innocent lives to the same fate as the thirty-three already dead?

“Promise me you will not harm them,” I blurted the moment the door closed behind Benny.

“Who?” Marco asked, rising from his seat and going over to the side of the room to pour a finger of whiskey.

“The employees. I am begging you not to do the same as my father. Let them live.Please, Marco,” I begged.

Desperation was causing my chest to constrict. If I had consigned those people to the same fate, then I was no better than my father. Bile rose in my throat.

My raw panic must have reflected in my voice as Marco immediately turned to look at me, surprise coloring his features.

He didn’t respond for a moment, sipping on his drink before placing it onto the table. “You have my word.”

Trouble was, I didn’t trust his word.

“Your word is not good enough.”

He bristled, immediately perturbed by my insult. Clearly, it wasn’t often people didn’t trust his word.

“I’ll make you a deal,” He offered, coming to lean against the desk, so close his legs were nearly brushing mine. “If any one of those people get hurt during our raid, even so much as bleed…I’ll set you free.” He gave me a dark look. “But. If they remain unharmed then you must do something for me.”

My stomach clenched with anxiety knowing he had the upper hand and could literally ask anything from me, and I would have to agree to it.

Anything to avoid death.

Anything to avoid becoming my father.

I hesitated but continued anyway. “Do what?”

“Come to Sicily with me.”

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