Page 65 of Twisted Games of Revenge

“What is it?” I ask, not seeing the problem.

“Someone external has hacked into our systems and tampered with this image. Right there where it should clearly show the gunman shooting the detective, it’s been looped with the previous five minutes of footage.”

I look back at him, confused. “How the hell could someone do that?”

“There are only two people I know who are that skilled in hacking, me and Dani. And we both know I was here.”

My face creases in concern. “She wouldn’t.”

“No, but someone has, someone who wanted to murder this particular detective on our turf and get away with it. This makes us all look involved. And when this dude is on Enzo’s payroll, shit is going to hit the fan.”

There is a knock at the door, and I stand in a rush to answer it, but Geovani shoves me out of the way, getting there first. Alessandro, Ricky, and Maddox all come in. “The club has been evacuated and locked down. Enzo is on his way.”

“Why call Enzo?” I ask in a panic.

“This is one of his detectives. He’s going to want answers.” Alessandro looks to Geovani, asking if we found anything.

“The surveillance has been hacked, we have nothing to show him. Whoever did this was prepared and had someone on the outside assisting them.”

Alessandro runs a hand through his already disheveled hair, the gesture revealing the deep stress lines etched into his forehead. “There is a bigger problem here that no one in this room is to mention to Enzo. Detective Carillon wasn’t who he made everyone believe. He wasn’t really working for Enzo, he was just making it appear that way—he was our inside man, the guy who had been feeding Marco and me information and vice versa to try and finally bring down all the big players. Him being killed in our club tonight wasn’t a coincidence. This is a message to all of us. Someone knows how close we are to bringing this web of lies and destruction down.”

I want to burst into tears, it’s always one step forward and two back. If our one good contact with the cops is gone because someone was on to us, we’re in trouble. Big fucking trouble. My brother and Alessandro included.

Chapter 27

I walk the redcarpet lining the sidewalk and front entry of Sinners’ Paradise, my arm linked with Alessandro’s. Our entourage is at our side, with Geovani next to me and both Maddox and Ricky right behind us. We’re all wearing Day of the Dead type painted masks, and I have my hair swept off my face, with large pink and burgundy roses pinned off to one side. A crowd has gathered, and while not everyone is in costume, most people have embraced the Halloween theme we have chosen to go with for the night.

Alessandro drops his lips to my ear. “You’re glowing tonight, princess,” he whispers in a way that lights me up inside.

“You can hardly even see my face behind this mask.” I laugh lightly.

The way people watch and celebrate us, I feel like a local celebrity, and I wonder if this is what it was like for Valentina when she was first told she would be marrying Enzo. If she got swept up in the fame of it all. Or was she always the horrible creature she is now?

I’m on edge and can’t wait to get inside. The last few days we have been in damage control, bunkering down at my apartment trying to work out which one of Enzo’s men got into the club and shot Detective Carillon right in the middle of all those people undetected. He was one of the good guys, actually helping my brother and Alex to form a case against Enzo. And that only means one thing—someone in our inner circle is really on Enzo’s payroll.

Enzo did his thing, cleaning up the mess at the club, getting the press to report it as a gang-related issue, some punk with a vendetta against the cops, his good friend Police Commissioner Palmer backing up his claims. But we all know that’s not the truth. The truth is that man was trying to rid this city of evil. He had a family, two little kids, and a wife, and now they’re without their father because of the slimy fucker currently approaching me with his obedient wife at his side.

Enzo’s in his normal sharp black suit and cunning smirk, and Valentina has on a slinky ink-colored dress, a martini glass in hand. From the dull look in her eyes, I would say it’s not her first drink of the night. “I haven’t seen this many people here in years,” she gushes, taking my hands in hers and separating me from Alessandro.

“It’s very exciting,” I agree with her as she leads me through the front foyer and over to a table. Oversized security guards stand on either side of the space dedicated for us. Normally I would say it’s overkill, but after this week, I’m grateful for the extra peace of mind.

“Best table in the house so we can see all the excitement. Some of our very best friends are here tonight, hoping to win big. And while the men play, we can discuss your upcoming nuptials.” She beams at me.

I feel the color drain from my face. I knew this conversation was coming, but not tonight, not ever actually, but she doesn’tneed to know it. I just have to keep putting it off for as long as possible. I look to Alessandro to save me from her.

“Not tonight, Mother.” His hand wraps around my waist, and he pulls me into his solid body. “I want to show Vivian around my casino.”

She looks wounded. “Oh, of course, this will all be hers one day soon as well.”

I force a smile, but the sudden jealousy in her voice makes me feel uneasy. Valentina is clinging on to me because she’s fully aware that I’m about to take over her status as the most important woman in this place. And while she seems to genuinely like me, it’s damn obvious she doesn’t want to give up her position to anyone. “I have so much to learn from you, Valentina,” I say to feed her ego, even though the words make me feel sick. I will never be like her.

She smiles warmly, but I can sense it’s fakeness. “I will teach you everything I know, Vivian,” she purrs before throwing back her cocktail and tapping the glass for another. A waiter appears out of nowhere with a replacement for her. For a millisecond, I almost feel sorry for the old matriarch. She looks fragile tonight, using her alcoholism to hide the pain of her reality. It’s sad, really.

“Let the games begin,” Enzo announces like the puppet master he is, entertaining the crowd.

The warmth of Ricky’s hand moves down my side, and as he lowers his head toward me, I inhale deeply, smelling his cologne. I need his calm to center me, remind me of why I’m here tonight. “You will never be her,” he says softly so only the two of us can hear.

Glancing up at the beautiful man, a warm smile spreads across my face, thanking him. How does he always know the right thing to say to soothe my soul?

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