Page 79 of The Enforcer

I’d simplified what I’d told Valencia about the fortresses my father had built just after purchasing the house. They hadn’t always been used, but being able to catch certain enemies prior to breaching our property had saved the lives of our entire family more than once.

I moved away from the guests, who were now mostly gathered around the back of the house and the pool for the cake-cutting ceremony, heading along the side toward the front. There was no reason for me to have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, but my instincts were rarely wrong.

However, I was determined to check all the points of possible entrance for an intruder without disturbing the rest of the family. If I was wrong, the day could be considered ruined. I didn’t want that for anyone, including Valencia.

She was spooked more than before, likely because I’d grilled her at the wrong time. Yes, the shit the Don had doled out had troubled me, but by all accounts, there was nothing to worry about.

Then why did you act like an asshole?

Because that was one way of keeping us alive. I jogged the rest of the way, eager to lose the penguin suit as soon as possible. It felt more constricting today than it had at any other event.

Elias saw me coming, moving toward me as fast as I was heading toward him. “You look pissed, boss.”

“Not pissed. Just anxious. What the hell happened with the Armenian leader?”

“I don’t know for certain. He pulled up and got a phone call. Couldn’t understand a goddamn thing he said. He muttered something about a family emergency. He dropped off a gift.”

“Did it appear as if he was upset?” Whoever he’d been speaking to had likely been from his country.

“Yeah, it did. Am I missing something?” Elias asked.

“I hope to hell not. Just keep a close eye. I have a very bad feeling about tonight.”

Elias followed my harsh scan of the area. I could see at least three guards walking the perimeter, still dressed in their suits and ties.

“I’ll check in with everyone personally. There’s almost no chatter.”

“Keep it that way, but if you see anything out of the ordinary, let me know.”

“Will do.”

I headed toward the house instead of walking around the side. Maybe I’d grab a stiff whiskey on the way out. Just as I reached the door, there was a buzz from the communication system. “What the hell did you say?” I turned on the microphone portionof the device and barked the order, turning immediately and searching for Elias.

He snapped his head in my direction, his weapon already positioned in his hand.

“Breach. Men down. Soldiers came up from the shore.” Luca’s voice held a tone of terror.

I didn’t wait, bolting into the house just as I heard a massive explosion. By the time I reached the outer doors, chaos had ensued, guests running in every direction. I rushed outside, noticing the flames coming from one of the tables full of gifts. I immediately reacted, grabbing my weapon as I pushed my way through the crowd.

A blur caught my attention. I aimed and fired, terrifying the guests even more. The scene was crazy, people tripping over each other in their attempt to escape.

“Valencia!” I screamed, hearing the popping sounds as gunfire ensued.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

I ducked, aiming toward a man in all dark clothing and a mask taking aim at my mother. With a single shot, the man was down. I rushed toward her, gently grabbing and pushing her toward the door. “Get inside.”

“Your father,” she whimpered.

“I’ll find him. Go. Please.”

“They’re everywhere,” Havros yelled, already shoving Kara toward the back door.

“Valencia!” My voice continued to boom, but was drowned out by the guests’ screams.

People rushed by, almost knocking me to the ground, but I pushed harder, fighting my way to free myself of the crowd.

Dimitrios ran toward me. “Go. Go. Go!” he yelled. Suddenly, his body was pitched forward from taking a shot in the back. He crumpled to the ground, Willow dropping immediately, her scream high pitched.

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