Page 35 of Reign of Hope

Elio narrows his gaze on Tony. “You seem pissed, kid. Want to talk about it?” Tony looks over at me.

“That’s Elio, my older brother. He can either be your friend or your worst enemy. Your choice how you want to place this,” I tell him, sitting back in my chair.

“I got no love for the Skulls. Especially after they left me to die in an alley and I’m probably going to jail because the cops aren’t going to let me off with a slap on the wrist. I’m the only one they can blame for what happened,” Tony says, staring down at the sheet.

“You can always rat them out,” Sebastian offers.

Tony whips his head up. “I’m not a rat. And besides, Drake knows I’d never talk. My sisters are the ones who will pay if I do. As it is, I’m not sure how they’re going to survive this mess.” His voice cracks. He’s really worried about his sisters.

Sebastian eyes him carefully. Sebastian isn’t easy to fool. “What are your sisters’ names?”

“Why?” Tony asks cautiously.

Sebastian steps closer to his bedside. “I’m checking out your story. If you’re telling the truth, your sisters are in trouble and Drake probably already has his men circling to keep watch.”

Tony pulls on his cuffs, trying to get free. “I have to get out of here!” he shouts. He’s yanking so hard that the cuffs are cutting into his skin.

Sebastian reaches out and grabs his hand, holding it steady. “Names! And if it checks out, we’ll keep your sisters safe,” Sebastian tells him.

“Lucy and Lisa,” Tony replies immediately, then rattles off his address. Sebastian glances at Elio.

“Call Dante. He’ll know what to do,” Sebastian says as he turns back to Tony. “The price for your sisters’ protection is your help with the Skulls.”

“Look, I don’t care what you do to me. But I have some money put away, and the girls will need it. It isn’t much, but it’ll keep them fed for a while. Could you please make sure they get it?” Tony asks.

I’m a tough bastard, but I can see how much this kid is trying to hold it together, and I have to say I’m beginning to like him. He shows integrity and genuine concern for his sisters.

Elio comes back, holding out his phone. “Dante wants a word.”

Sebastian takes it and barks a quick “Hey,” then listens attentively.

“Reno agrees?” Sebastian asks. He’s quiet for another minute, mutters a quick goodbye, and hangs up. He turns to Tony. “This is your lucky day. Reno has decided not to kill you yet. He’s going to give you a chance to bring down the Skulls as well as the men who are bankrolling them. In return, we’ll set you and your sisters up in a safe place, far away from Drake. Although, when we’re done with them, the Skulls won’t exist anymore.”

“A deal? Lucy and Lisa are in trouble now,” Tony starts.

“We have soldiers heading to your sisters. You say the word, and we take them to a safe place until this is over,” Sebastian says.

Tony glances over at me. “Is he for real?”

“Take him up on it. Reno doesn’t have patience, and the Skulls will soon find out that you’re alive and kicking. What do you think they’ll do to you then? You’re a liability, a loose end. You’re either with us or a dead man,” I tell him.

“What do you want me to do?” Tony asks, directing the question to Sebastian.

Sebastian tells me to get the key from the police waiting outside. We’re taking Tony with us to meet with Reno.

An hour later, Tony is dressed and sitting in the back seat of Sebastian’s car. Elio is following behind us in his car. We have the doc on standby because Tony is leaving the hospital against the doctor’s orders. His injuries are pretty serious, and he shouldn’t be out and about yet.

We reach the main warehouse, where Reno called for us to meet, and find Leo and Dante pulling up behind us.

“The gang’s all here,” I murmur, and Sebastian chuckles.

Tony’s meds are wearing off, and he winces and grimaces all the way inside. “He looks like shit,” Dante states.

“He’s lucky to be breathing,” Elio replies.

“Reno’s waiting,” Leo announces, and takes Tony gently by the arm and guides him down the long hall leading to Reno’s back office. Reno’s sitting at his desk waiting for us.

“Tony, sit down before you pass out,” Reno says. Tony literally drops into the chair in front of Reno. “Call the doc in,” he says, and Leo goes to do his bidding. “Dante, make the call to the others. I want Marco, Raffaele, and Alessio to hear this all at the same time.”

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