Page 126 of Deception

The next comes from Federico, one of the elders; his grandson is gone.

Another and another; Harlo’s wife, Nel’s grandmother.

Vito calls last, demanding that we meet, a gathering of all the elders and important family members. He calls it at his offices downtown.

Adriano slams his hand down on the steering wheel of the van.

“Dammit! That scheming fuck!”

My brain is lagging, overwhelmed. The only thing that matters is the woman leaning on my shoulder in the backseat.

“We got played. Led off on a wild goose chase,” Ciro grumbles, straightening when I growl at him. “No offense, Isabella. You’re a really pretty goose.”

“Head back to the compound, then we can go meet with the elders, make a plan to get back the hostages. One step at a time.” Times like these, I need to stay calm.

No sooner do I give the order than my phone rings.

“Tomas?”

“Good, you’re alive. You make my job really hard when you go rogue, you know?”

“Do I need to find a replacement for you, brother?” I prod.

“No, you need to stay gone. I’m going to get Angie and Gigi out. Do not come back to the compound, whatever you do—” The line cuts out.

“Tomas? Shit.” I know better than to call back. Something is going on. “Compound is compromised.”

All three brothers groan, cursing.

“We need to regroup.”

“Agreed. And get Isabella somewhere safe. Tomas will probably head straight toFortezza.”

“Then I suggest we do the same.” Adriano smiles grimly.

“Sweet! I’ve never been,” Ciro intones.

“It’s just a safe house.” Ero shrugs. “A really nice safe house.”

“And one not a single soul knows about but us.”

Fortezzahas been kept off the books, completely undocumented for just this purpose. Much like the lodge in the Italian Alps, except instead of disappearing from memory, it was never shared outside of leadership.

“What's going on?” Isabella asks, stirring beside me. She passed out almost instantly when we started driving.

“Don’t worry. We’re going somewhere safe for you to rest.”

“I could use a nap, I guess. Seven showers, too.”

“You can take a seven-hour shower if you’d like.”

“Thank you, Alessandro.”

“For what?”

“For finding me. Coming for me,” her words slur as she drifts back off.

“I’ll always come for you.” I wrap my arm around her, holding her close. She’s a mess, filthy, streaked in dirt and grime, blood. She suffered for me. And I couldn’t be more grateful, proud.

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