Page 5 of Reign of Hope

“There are two, and they have alarm systems. We break them, and the noise will automatically tell them we’re here,” his soldier responds.

“Then we won’t break them without disabling the alarm system first,” Dante replies. Both Ivo and his man look at him curiously. I already know that Dante is a genius, and if he can make millions of dollars appear and disappear from a Swiss bank account in seconds, how hard will it be for him to disable an alarm system? He looks at the soldier and says, “Show me.”

We follow the two men through the alley that leads to the back of the building and stop just short of turning the corner. “Man guarding the back,” the younger of the two soldiers ofUltimo Mortewarns.

“We kill him, and the Skulls will need to retaliate. They’re nothing, but do we want that kind of trouble?” the older soldier asks.

Ivo lets out a sigh. The last thing Reno wants or needs is drama with a punk club, and he’ll be pissed if this shit ends up on his doorstep because of Vic. Everything we decided on in the car would be for nothing.

“He’s going to have an accident,” I say. “I’ll draw him away, and Dante, you do your thing.” I take off my suit jacket and toss it to the younger soldier. I grab my key ring and twirl it around my finger. I begin to whistle and walk out into the open space right toward the Skull member guarding the door.

I get halfway to him before the Skull member says, “This is as far as you get. Entrance is closed.”

“I live here, man,” I tell him with a shrug. “I’m just going home.” I take a few more steps before he calls out to me again.

“Circle back. We’re not finished here,” the guy warns.

I hold up my hands. “Look, I don’t want any trouble. All I want is to go up to my place, get my shit, and get ready to go to work. I don’t work, I can’t pay my rent,” I say. “You gotta know what that’s like,” I appeal to the young punk. The closer I get, the more I can see that this kid isn’t out of his teens. I can also see the fear in his eyes. Chances are, he’s scared of making a mistake because his gang brothers would make sure he pays for it.

“I get it, but I’ve got my orders,” he says, looking around him like someone’s listening in.

“I’ve got an idea. No trouble for you or for me. I can go in through the window. All you have to do is wait inside the back door. You’re still at your post. Not breaking any rules. What do you say, man?”

“Spike said to wait here.”

“I get the window open. I’ll call out, and you come right back,” I suggest. I can see the kid contemplating this. “Please, man. I need this job,” I say with feeling.

“Five minutes and I’m right inside the door,” he cautions and takes a step inside. I take a step back so Dante is in my line of vision, giving me the go-ahead to open the window. I gently pry it open and hear scurrying on the inside. It must be Vic looking for a place to hide. I pop out the window and screen and poke my head in. Vic comes at me with a rusty rake. I grab hold of it, and he falls to the ground.

I put my finger to my lips, motioning for him to keep quiet.

“Let’s go,” I whisper, waving for him to come toward me.

Vic shakes his head, getting up and taking a step back.

I lay it out for him. “I’ve got your sister in the car, Vic. I’m your only shot. Ivo is around the corner. You got a choice to make. Take a chance with me, or deal with the Skulls, and you know they’ll kill you.”

“Allegra,” he says,

“In the car. Two minutes before the guy comes back out here,” I warn. I extend my hand and pull him up and through the window. Thank God this kid is skinny and makes it through with room to spare. Ivo shows his face and motions for Vic to go over to him. I put the window back the way it was just in the nick of time as the Skull member comes back out. I run toward the alley, waving my hand. “Thanks, bud. I owe you one.”

Ivo leads the way out of the alley, looking around for his men and texting the driver that we’re making our way back. Spike must have called in for more help because the street is crawling with Skull gang members.

“This is going to get tricky,” Dante murmurs beside me.

Ivo’s response is nothing but a grunt as he glances over at Vic, giving him an expression that makes his shoulders slump. We hear a whistle and look up. One of Ivo’s men is pointing across the street, where we see our car.

“Time to make a run for it,” I say. I turn to Dante. “You and Ivo go first.”

“We don’t have what they’re looking for. They’re not going to shoot unless they have a death wish,” Ivo states as he steps out onto the sidewalk. He and Dante walk across the street without issue, leaving Vic and me alone.

“I’m going to say this once, and only once.” I stare Vic in the eye. “I risked my career and my life to get you back for your sister. Whatever happens after this moment, if we make it back in one piece, you will shut your mouth and do as you’re told. You fuck with me, your sister, orNostra Casa, I will put a bullet through your head.”

“Who…who are you?” he asks in a shaky whisper.

“Your new brother-in-law, and I won’t tolerate your shit.” I grab his arm and pull him along with me. “On three, we go for it.” Vic looks scared out of his mind but nods. “One… Two… Three.” Vic and I sprint across the street. We’re almost at the car when I hear gunshots. I feel a searing heat pulse through my arm, but I keep on running, urging Vic to move faster. “Move it.”

The car door swings open, and I push Vic inside. He stumbles on his way in but quickly moves over to make room for me. I shut the car door as the driver pulls out onto the main road like a bat out of hell.

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