Page 6 of Promise Never

“In the car.” He tugs me to the end of the alleyand ushers me into the back of an SUV, sliding in beside me.

Runihops inthe passenger side, and the driver pulls off with the other men following inanother car.

“The name,” Alessandro urges once we’re on themain road and away from the club.

“ZenoCostantini.”

He looks atRuni, lines onhis forehead. Steering his focus back to me, he asks, “How did you meet him?”

“After what had happened to my sister….” I pauseto catch my breath. It’s always hard mentioning her. “I went on a hunt forLuca. I learned about a hit in New Jersey, and a drug dealer from the area toldme it had mafia involvement and that Luca was interested in a shipping yard. Ittook some time, but I knew I needed the training to go after him.”

“And you heard nothing of Luca the whole timeuntil coming here?” Alessandro confirms.

“I went off-grid, emerging once I was ready.That’s when the dealer found ZenoCostantini. He got mehere three days ago. Provided a gun and a note that you’d be here tonight.” Iclear my throat before lying, “That’s all. I’ve never met the man.” Better tosay that than to become further embroiled in shit.

Alessandro braces back against the seat. The deepscowl on his face convinces me he’s pondering hard.

“Do you know Zeno?” I question him.

“He’s the son of a traitor to my family.”Ohgreat. That asshole indeed used me.

“You had no knowledge of this?” Alessandroconfirms, looking at me again.

“None,” I insist. “That piece of shit lied to me.I was only here to kill Luca.”

He narrows his gaze. “You will go home then?”

“Yes.” I scoff. “Am I free to leave, AlessandroFattore? Or will you kill me and throw my body out of thecar for involuntarily being your assassin?”

“An amateur assassin,” he mocks. “I have no reasonto kill you, woman. Where do you want to be dropped off?”

I tellhimthe Italianname for the street, and hepatshis driver’s arm asif giving him the go-ahead.

We arrive shortly.

I’m about to exit the car when Alessandro stops mewith, “Do not return to Sicily if you want to live.” He reaches my gun to me.

I throw him a glare, snatch my weapon from hishand, and jump out of the car, waiting until both SUVs peel off before goingdown the steps.

The waterside Inn is in a relatively quiet and notas popular area. I stay aware of my surroundings as I stride down the stonewalkway towards my door.

The air is fishy, and it has nothing to do withthe scent wafting from the ocean.

Slowing my pace to a halt, I squint at my door.

It’s not ajar. But that doesn’t mean no one isinside.

Trust your instincts.

I ready the gun, ensuring Alessandro didn’t emptythe bullets while I wasn’t paying attention.

It’s still loaded.

My passport is inside the room, so I have to go inthere.Shit.

You know what? It doesn’t even matter. I have nofamily. No money left. No mission.

If ZenoCostantiniiswaiting to kill me, I won’t make it easy. I’ll go down with a fight.

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