Page 56 of Where the Wicked Reign

“What?”

“We’re already taking a risk by doing this for you.”

“With her,” Nico corrected him.

“Whatever,” he muttered. “The point is, we don’t have time to vet somebody of hers to ensure we can trust them and that we won’t be exposed as being a part of this.”

“I’ll call in my contact,” Julian said. “This guy has a facility that deals with things like this and helps those who’ve gone through abuse of this nature.”

“How do you know somebody like that?” I asked.

“Part of my philanthropic efforts as former Young Entrepreneur of the Year, darlin’.”

Before I could ask more about it, he grinned and said, “A title you’re gonna be taking from me in a little while.”

“Done,” Nico said. He gestured at the operational plans laid out on the tablet on the desktop beneath the center monitor. “The way you want to take the guards and approach this op doesn’t exactly scream teamwork, Caterina. I can see your lone wolf attitude bleeding into the plan you’ve laid out here.”

“Regardless, it’s an effective approach. It’ll get the job done swiftly and efficiently.”

“Yes, but with the possibility of you sustaining damage in the process.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, you will. I’ll see to it.” He looked over his shoulder at Emilio and gestured for him to come closer. The moment he did, he told him, “She’s not entering through the southeast access point. We’re gonna use awrecking ballinstead.”

Emilio nodded. “Got it. It’ll enable us to take out the largest contingent ASAP.”

“It will also send the entire house into chaos,” I warned. “Making yourself known like that.”

“Exactly. Chaos invites mistakes.”

“Good point. Although it could backfire.”

“It won’t.” He looked at Julian. “You get the roof. You’ll take the top floor like Caterina’s laid out, but then once you’ve cleared it, I want you down in the basement. Approach from inside the house because at this point the guards will be trying to secure their assets, likely trying to move them out of the house. You’ll prevent that, while Caterina will take the exterior access point to the basement via this rear door noted on the plans. The two of you will get the hostages clear together while Milo and I take out the rest of the guards.”

“I’ve got climbing gear here,” I told Julian.

“Thanks, darlin’, but I’ve got it covered.” He asked Nico, “What are the specs for me?”

“Profiled log walls. Asphalt shingle roof.”

“Low-pitchedgable roof. Thirteen degrees,” I filled in.

Julian pulled out his phone and started typing rapidly. “All right, got it.”

“Why don’t you and Caterina take out the rest of the guards?” Emilio suggested to Nico. “Julian and I will get the hostages out.”

Nico frowned. “What? Why?”

I saw Emilio and Julian exchange some sort of knowing look while Nico was busy studying the plans. What was going on?

“Just that some of the hostages may not be mobile. We need to take that into account. Meaning I’ll be needed to haul them out several at a time. It could severely delay us clearing the area otherwise.”

“Good point,” Julian said.

“According to Caterina’s surveillance, they’ve sustained damage, but they’re mobile.”

“Well, that could change by the night of the op.” Emilio looked out at me. “Isn’t Angelo, that slimy Capo of Santino’s, slated to head up there tonight?”

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