Page 119 of Ruthless Beast

“Yeah. Okay. Let’s pop ‘em.”

Andreas used to be in the armed forces. His sharp shooting abilities are legendary. I trust him to take out the guards before they know what’s hit them. The silencer on his weapon gives us the upper hand here. Gallo won’t hear us coming.

“Okay,” he says once the guards are down, “open the gate.”

Cracking safes and keypads are a little hobby of mine. I spent many years honing my skills while I was climbing the ladder.

“Once I open the gate, we’re going to have to move our asses.”

“Ready when you are, Boss.”

We’re inside the estate. Andreas and I make a beeline for Gallo’s section of the main house. His sexual escapades are infamous, so I’m willing to bet that he’s in his bedroom working on a pre-victory celebration with his hookers.

Sure enough, that’s where we find him. Andreas took out a few more of Gallo’s men on the way in, leaving me a clear run to the big cojones.

I slip into the room and watch for a few seconds while Andreas is giving the busty blonde his all.

“Celebrating prematurely, I see,” I say out loud.

Gallo throws the blonde off him and reaches for his nightstand.

“I don’t think so!” I yell. “One more move and I’ll blow you to Kingdom come, you scumbag!”

Gallo looks at me. He’s furious.

“You! What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“What I should have done years ago, you asshole.”

“You won’t kill me. You can’t be that stupid.”

“Oh, but I can. And I will.”

“What? Is this about your girlfriend? Did she enjoy her new career as a stripper? Short lived, I know, but I’m sure she picked up a few handy tips. You should be thanking me.”

I can feel the rage bubbling up from my gut. Gallo is stalling, getting a few digs in while he no doubt waits for the cavalry to save him.

They’re not coming, asshole. It’s just you and me.

“Why don’t you leave the boys to have a little talk, sweetheart?” I say to the blonde covering in the corner of the room.

She grabs her dress and runs past me toward the door. I close it and lock.

“Okay, Gallo. Let’s have a heart to heart.”

29

EMILY

“What are you doing?”

“I’m packing.”

“Why?”

“I need a break, Lucas. I can’t think in this house. I don’t feel safe with you. I’m going to Dannie.”

“Please, babe. Don’t go. It’s over. Gallo is dead.”

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