Page 47 of His to Claim

Miceli gives me a sharp nod and then yanks the wheel, careening off the expressway. He said he’d get us there in fifteen minutes, but I think it’s going to be even less than that. The man is driving like he’s in the Daytona 500 and that’s just fine with me.

“Alright, we’re going to try this the easy way first,” Miceli says and stabs a finger against his cell phone. He’s calling Gallo and with each ring of the phone, my heart beats a little harder.

Right before the call drops into voicemail, Gallo picks up. “Did you get my video?” he asks coolly. I can hear the smile in his voice and it makes me want to throttle him to within an inch of his life…and then put a bullet between his beady eyes. Forcing myself to keep it together, I look over at Miceli who is trying equally hard to remain calm and not explode.

But we know we have to keep it together right now…for Carlotta. So the best thing to do is not take the bait.

“The Five Families have reconsidered and would like to discuss you becoming a member of the table…if you return Carlotta safely.”

If Gallo agrees then this all ends now. That seems far too easy and his next words prove exactly what I’m thinking—that Carmine Gallo wants more than just a seat at the table. He wants to destroy the Five Families completely.

“Too little, too late. That time has passed and I’m no longer interested. But thank you for the generous offer.” His voice oozes with sarcasm.

Well, so much for the easy way.

“Why don’t you think about it before dismissing it so easily,” Miceli says, trying to buy us more time.

“There’s nothing to think about!” Gallo snaps. “I’d rather kill you all.”

The hatred in his voice is pure evil and there has to be something deeper going on here. I just have no idea what. Before Miceli can even respond, Gallo hangs up.

“So much for that,” Leo grumbles from the back seat.

“He’s dead,” Miceli growls.

“There has to be more to this than simply wanting a seat at the table,” I muse, thinking out loud. “Gallo is filled with such vicious hate and he’s so hellbent on destroying your entire family…”

My voice trails off as they contemplate my words.

“I agree,” Leo says. “This has to run deeper.”

Miceli lets out a frustrated sound. “If it does—and I agree with you—I have no idea what it could possibly be. But, yeah, it definitely feels personal and I don’t know why.”

“Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is rescuing Lottie,” I say, sounding more passionate than I intend.

Miceli slants me a side glance. “When did you start calling her Lottie?”

Even though his voice is merely filled with curiosity, I feel my entire body tense. “At the cabin,” I tell him carefully, shifting uneasily in my seat.

I glance back at Leo and see his smirk.Bastard.He always was extremely perceptive.

Instead of commenting further, Miceli checks the GPS then hits the brakes.

“We’re here,” he states. “Everyone ready?”

I lay my hand over the gun in my holster and nod. “Let’s go get Carlotta.”

Time to go in guns blazing.

19

CARLOTTA

I’m going to die.

As hard as I’m trying to be positive, the reality of my situation is bleak. Standing up on my tiptoes hurts now, but if I try to lower myself down further on my feet, the rope cuts into my neck. The knowledge that I’m standing on a trap door rigged to open soon sends another tear running down my face.

How the hell am I supposed to get out of this awful situation? It’s impossible. Maybe accepting my fate with dignity and peace is all I can do.

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