Page 128 of Brutal Legacy

The full presence of De Sanctis men, who I’d personally trained, would be looking after her, as well as my most capable sister andher husband. As much as Bran O’Connor might irritate me, I couldn’t deny his skills or his strength.

I got out of the car and slammed it shut behind me. In the corner of my eye, a shadow moved. I froze for a second.

My driver was walking ahead of me, and two security men flanked my sides. Since the threat of L’Ombra had entered the picture, it wasn’t the time to be lax with security. I could take Massimo on one-on-one anytime, but not like this, surrounded by uncontrollable variables, civilians, and too fucking close to where Georgia was.

I continued, my awareness snapping and biting, searching every corner, my ears straining for any sound. I whistled a jaunty tune beneath my breath, and the conversation among my security team stopped.

It was a little signal that something was amiss.

Silence fell, punctuated only by the echo of our footfalls. I nodded to one side, and the two security guys flanking me peeled off. I discreetly drew my weapon. A few lanes over, a couple had just gotten out of their car and were talking loudly.

When assessing the chances that Massimo would fire on me here and now, the couple lowered those chances significantly. L’Ombra didn’t do witnesses, and he didn’t kill anyone outside his contract either. As much as an assassin could have a code, he had one.

I walked steadily toward the double glass doors that housed the elevators. The couple was just behind me. I held the doors open and turned, looking out at the garage. All seemed still.

I could see my own security circling around the sides of the parked cars a few aisles over, checking from behind to see if they’d fine anyone hiding.

I knew they wouldn’t.

I could feel that the eyes had been watching were gone. This was a warning. He was collecting information, making his plan. This was a reminder that he could get to us anywhere and anytime.

“Boss, we didn’t find anyone, but this was sitting on the second reserved parking space for the penthouse.”

It was small. Nothing more than a broken game trinket… to anyone else. To me, it was a warning, and its meaning was clear.

Not just a plastic little nothing… a sign that you’d been marked for death.

A broken hourglass… with no sand remaining. The calling card of L’Ombra.

Sitting in the second reserved parking space for the penthouse.

Georgia’s spot.

37

GEORGIA

Iwas back in my studio when Elio strode through the door and his people scurried around to follow his sharp commands.

“Pack some things. You’re going to Casa Nera,” he commanded from across the room.

“Where are you going to be?”

“I’ve got some cleaning up to do.”

He turned away, calling Toni over to speak in a rapid murmur. My heart clenched hard. I didn’t want to go back to Casa Nera alone.

I’d just gotten Elio back. Now, a terrible fear filled me.

“Cleaning up those men… the ones who are after me?”

“It seems I’ve managed to get myself in their line of fire as well. None of this is your fault, Georgia,” Elio said before the guilt could spiral through me.

“No, it’s my father’s,” I muttered mutinously.

Elio simply nodded. “I’m not going to argue with you on that count. Go and get your things,cara. You need to leave as soon as possible.”

“Just I need to leave?” I watched his team move around, their expressions serious. “You just said that you’re also a target. Why aren’t we leaving together?”

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