Page 4 of Unlawful Seduction

I was pure evil.

“Has the special package been handled?” Lucian’s phone call hadn’t surprised me. It had further enraged me.

“The job has been completed.” I made a turn, pulling over on the side of the road. At this point, I had spots of blood in my eyes. Driving could become hazardous.

“Excellent. I knew you were the man for the job. A man with no conscience.” Lucian laughed and I glanced down at the weapon on my passenger seat. I had a fucking duffle bag full of them in my truck, and a secret stash inside my house.

While my father had turned into a worthless piece of trash, he’d taught me one valuable lesson. Prepare an end game. Never allow a surprise to control me. I had money squirreled away in several offshore bank accounts, with carefully selected stocks adding to my wealth. Nobody in the crime syndicate had a single clue how wealthy I’d become. They would never know.

I’d taken Tessa and her son to the train station less than an hour and a half later. Tessa had followed my instructions, packing as lightly as she’d been able. She had enough cash to start a new life if she was very careful. I’d explained to her how to obtain a new social security card, which had brought another wave of fear into her eyes, but she’d nodded.

I’d purchased two one-way train tickets to Indianapolis. A point on a map. From there, I’d instructed her to continue going. That way I wouldn’t know where they’d landed.

I’d learned almost from day one of working with Lucian that he had a fatal flaw. He talked too much. If you remained quiet, the lack of conversation prompted him into spewing what he had on his mind.

“I couldn’t afford the scandal,” he said.

“Something new?” I closed my eyes, remembering the light kiss Tessa had given me on the cheek before getting on the train.

“Would you believe I’ve been asked to consider a city council position? A steppingstone to the state offices and from there, the White House.”

His aspirations brought a wicked smile to my face. Somewhere in his jaded mind, he truly believed he was performing a service for the great city of New York. “Interesting.”

“I know. Right? I have you and a couple others to thank for my success.”

I smirked. “I’m your right-hand man.”

“Just don’t forget to erase all trace evidence. I don’t want any issues,” Lucian said, returning to more unscrupulous business.

“Not a problem.”

He hesitated and I sensed there was something else on his mind. “Incidentally, the announcement for Ava and Gio’s upcoming nuptials will be in tomorrow’s paper. I wanted you to know before anyone else.”

I fisted my hand, digging my neatly trimmed nails into my palm. Business was business within the worlds of the mafia. There was no time for love and families were used as bargaining chips and nothing more. Perhaps I should be grateful the man hadn’t castrated me after learning of our tryst.

“I’m happy for them.” I wasn’t. Ava would be given a life sentence. She wanted so much more for her life, but it wasn’t her choice.

Nor was it mine.

“That’s good to hear,” Lucian added. “Let’s grab dinner tomorrow so we can discuss your future.”

“Absolutely.” With the call ended, I tossed my phone.

Now I was about to finish a task that would alter my future.

I wasn’t a stupid man. The lifespan in the industry I’d chosen was cut in half. Maybe I’d outlived my welcome. Maybe I’d grown bored with the blood and violence. Hell, maybe I craved having a family.

With the plan in motion, I set out to make it happen, making a few discreet phone calls to ensure the locations of those within the Valenti organization. Including ensuring Ava was still nestled away in her dorm room at college. I knew the soldiers who’d come after me first. Once the smoke cleared, there’d be no sign of me.

I knew how the soldiers operated. I’d studied the security system, searching for weaknesses. I knew every in, every patrol.

I remained focused, making certain nothing was left unattended. After arming the last of the bombs surrounding Lucian’s massive estate, I faded away into the darkness. As the man in charge of security, all I’d needed to do was disarm the system in such a way no one realized that I’d done so until it was too late.

Maybe the fuckers had placed too much trust in a man who’d once fought bravely for his country. At least I was making good of the intense training.

I headed to my truck, tossing the duffle bag inside and immediately starting the engine. The normal Tuesday night powwow included Gio as well as every other important Capo within the organization. I’d been given a pass because of my handling the special, private matter for Lucian and Gio. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

I guided my vehicle down the street, only stopping long enough to press the button on my handheld computer, a gadget I’d designed over the years after my stint in the Marines. It was effective and tonight would prove its worth.

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