Page 18 of Last Shot

‘The judge made her decision,’ Gio continued. ‘Hotel Barbarani is happening. Construction starts in August.’

Right. ‘Best not to tell Frankie untilafterthe gala,’ Grey said.

‘I don’t need you to remind me of my children’s shortcomings, thank you, Hawke.’ Giovanni faced Grey head-on like they were two trucks about to collide on a single country road. ‘And speaking of shortcomings, it was your job to make sure that picture of Francesca tied to my building company’s dozer did not make headlines.’

Grey bowed his head, a prisoner before his executioner.

‘And I donotappreciate the fact that Antonella’s face was plastered all over that despicable article ...’

Top 10 Rising Stars in Australian Courts.

‘Have you not learnt your lesson after that reporter?’ he continued.

How do you take your guilt, Mr Fixer?She’d looked up at him with those big, green eyes, lashes blinking like she was about to kneel down and ...

For fuck’s sake.

‘If I could do it over again—’

‘You wouldn’t havedoneher?’

Grey clicked his jaw. Nella’s voice filled his head but, irritatingly, so did Max’s, screaming ‘murder!’ He stayed silent.

‘I thought your father would have taught you better about women like that.’

Grey’s father’s peppermint and tobacco scent, breath tunnelling down the neck of a Carlton Draught as he slapped Grey’s hand away from the sugar-pink oleander flower.‘Beauty is nature’s warning of danger, Greyson. The poisonous flower has the most beautiful colours.’

‘The gala. Tomorrow. Nothing will go wrong. I have your word, Hawke?’

‘Of course, signore. There’s just one—’

‘What was that you said about increasing security?’ Giovanni’s eyes almost disappeared into the doughy wrinkles of his face as he squinted at Grey.

‘Just want to be extra cautious, signore, given that the La Marcas are attending and there’s been a—’

‘A what?’

Grey swallowed. ‘Kaine Skinner’s name has cropped up.’

‘Skinner?’ Giovanni shook. Grey got ready to duck, but then his boss’s face cracked open and a belch of laughter escaped. ‘That ugly fuck won’t be showing his face in this town again. He’s still licking his wounds after he sent his own wife to prison. Even the La Marcas are done with him.’

Tell him. Tell him about Max.

‘There anything you’re not telling me, Hawke?’ Giovanni’s face was back to its normal, furious setting.

Tell him.

Grey’s phone buzzed against his thigh. Something was trying to break out of or into his cottage. ‘No, signore. Nothing.’

6

Max

There were nine exits in total.

The seven glass windows were bulletproof, fortified glass, like she’d assumed from Luca’s bedroom window. She couldn’t smash through them with one of the kitchen stools. There were two doors – the one that the Giant had slammed in her face and one at the back of the house, leading to a small lagoon-shaped pool.

All nine exits were electronically sealed.

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