Page 37 of Conall's Reign

“We found the guy, but he wasn’t very cooperative, so don’t get your hopes up. He turned out to be a dead end.”

“In more ways than one,” Paddy chuckled.

“You got him? I want a shot at him,” Angelo grumbled. “Maybe you couldn’t break him, but I’ll make that bastard beg.”

Murder lurked in Angelo’s eyes, yet we both understood that sometimes torture wouldn’t provide the answers we sought. Some men simply didn’t break. They had no answers at all.

“Trust me. The guy didn’t know jack shit. It was all a setup for that poor fucker. There was a drop where he received the information on who to approach, and money was transferred to his account. A second payment was already arranged. We’ll track the money.”

“Did you make him pay?” Angelo gritted out finally, then scoffed. “Of course you did. Who am I talking to? You probably got your information and handed Sean the poor bastard.”

“Yep. Sean was too eager to work him over. Unfortunately, the bastard didn’t know anything, but at least he suffered.

“Sometimes, that’s all we can ask for.”

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly as I considered my options. Francesca was strong—anyone who thought otherwise was a fool—but she was also unprepared for the chaos of war. That was my responsibility.

I rubbed my knuckles, which still throbbed from Angelo’s overly hard cheekbone. I sent him an irritated glare. “We’ve got eyes on Vallone’s crew. I want to know where they move, who they talk to, and if they’ve been seen near the hospital.”

“Already on it,” Paddy said. “But I have a feeling this is just the opening act. Vallone has never been subtle. We would be knee-deep in bodies already if he wanted to send a message. This feels more like reconnaissance. A test.”

Angelo ran a hand through his hair, muttering a curse. “And that means there’s more coming. We need to inform everyone about this so they’re prepared.” He frowned.

I nodded. “That’s why Francesca’s security detail will be doubled, effective immediately. She may not like it, but I don’t care.”

Paddy chuckled, shaking his head. “Ah, newlyweds. Ain’t love grand?”

Angelo ignored him, his gaze still sharp. “Does she know? That this could be Vallone?”

I hesitated for a moment before shaking my head. “Not yet. I’ll tell her when I have more concrete proof. There’s no sense in worrying her if we don’t have to.”

“She’s going to be pissed when she finds out you kept this from her.”

“Probably,” I shrugged. “But she’ll be safe. That’s what matters.”

Angelo studied me for a long moment, then exhaled sharply. “Fine. But if Vallone even so much as breathes in her direction again, I want to be the one to take him down.”

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. “Get in line. No calling dibs.”

The air in the room remained tense, yet we now had an understanding. Angelo might not have liked how things unfolded, but when it came to protecting Francesca, we were on the same side.

“That guy is an absolute menace. I saw a few of his people near one of my warehouses trying to set fire to it last week.” He grinned. “Too bad they ended up getting barbequed instead. We need to finish gathering that intel.”

Angelo might be the most vicious of us. I had always thought Maxim was the most unhinged, but perhaps it was Angelo who harbored the deepest resentment — the one who had always raged against our life.

“I’ll have it tonight or tomorrow from my man.” Angelo’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and Paddy, never one to linger on seriousness too long, clapped his hands together.

“Well, now that we’ve all agreed. Who’s ready for a drink?”

I ignored him, my mind already considering the next steps. Vallone had made a mistake.

And I was determined to make damn sure he paid for it.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

francesca

I kickedthe door shut with my foot, arms loaded with shopping bags, and dumped them onto the kitchen counter with a satisfied sigh. Conall’s apartment—no, our apartment—was about to receive a much-needed facelift, whether he liked it or not.

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