Page 30 of The Shadow King's Brother

“In the safe house—I was there to get—information about you. I knew the location of the safe house, I used it with Don many years ago. I knew it was abandoned, since Don death. After I smashed the camera at the house, I went it. I found pictures, addresses, of you, Victoria, Maria, even old Gambini. But the thing was, most of it was gone. Someone came there before me. Ripped off the information for god knows what reason. But after I saw that car follow you, and the attempt on my life from the same person inside, I’m pretty damn sure that who ever owns this Broad corporation is out to wipe of the whole De Luca clan.”

“Who were you with in the safe house?” I ask, and press him up against the wall with one arm, gun in the other hand.

“It doesn’t matter, an associate—” Vinny gulps.

Nica’s arm shakes, and I squeeze tight. He was responsible for hurting her, for damaging her, and now that he’s here, I find it damn hard not to slice his throat.

Didn’t Nica say that Jackson found a note with theBroadname in the hut? How does that fit? Is he working with them?

“You’re lying,” I say, but my grip loosens just slightly.

Vinny coughs, wincing as he rubs his throat. “I’m not. Just let me go then if you don’t believe me. Or do I need to bleed a little more first?”

I don’t answer right away. I look at Jackson, at Gio, at Steven. Then, finally, at Nica.

No one says a word. The only thing I see is distrust. The fear that has always been there.

Nica’s voice cuts through. “We can’t trust him. Rats lie. If it smells like a rat, if it looks like a rat—” She takes a moment.

Vinny glares at her. “Why the hell would I walk into room full of people who want to kill me if I was lying?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Yeah. Why would you?”

What is he trying to pull? Does he think he can mess with me? With us?

I slam him against the wall again, harder this time. He lets out a choked gasp, but I can feel his pulse steady beneath my grip.

That fucking shit again. Why am I not ending it already?

He should be scared.

He should be begging me to stop.

But he’s not scared. Why?

Because whatever is out there scares him more…

Vinny’s eyes find mine. “You need me alive. You know I’m right.”

I hold him there for another second. After another long, drawn-out moment of hesitation, I look over at Steven, who just nods. I know he wants him dead, too. But not now. Not here.

Then I let go.

Vinny staggers, coughing as he rubs his throat. My fingers press into my temples.

Shit. I think he’s telling the truth. Or something close to it.

“What were you doing at the safe house? The truth this time.”

My jaw is tight, ready to hit someone.

Vinny rolls his eyes, like this entire interrogation bores him. “You saw it yourself didn’t you?”

“Answer me,” I growl.

He drags a hand over his brow, fingers still brushing his throat where my grip left its mark.

“Can I get a glass of water? Is old maid Gambini still around?” His gaze flicks around the room, calculating, always thinking a step ahead.

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