Page 140 of Ruthless Redemption

“Oh, God.” My hand shakes around the gun. “It’s an ambush.”

27

MATTHEW

“Put the phone away.”My tone brooks no argument.

“I’m not much of a follower, boy.” Emmanuel continues to play with his cell screen.

“You weren’t much of a father either.” I palm the blade in my pocket as he chuckles into his oxygen mask, the sound barely heard over the squawk of birds.

“You know, at one time you were my greatest hope for the future, Dante. Now you’re my biggest disappointment.”

“The feeling is mutual, but at least you won’t have to dwell on it for long. We all know how this ends.”

He cocks his head. “Do we?”

“Cut the shit, Dad.” Salvo pulls out a chair, dragging it away from the table to take a seat. “We’re done. Remy. Abri. Me. We’re all out.”

Adena’s gaze cuts to her husband, her eyes desperate. “No.”

“Don’t worry, my darling.” Emmanuel smiles at her, all arrogant confidence. “They won’t survive without us.”

“We don’t need your fucking money,” Remy spits. “We’ll make it on our own.”

Emmanuel lowers the mask, his expression turning feral. “I don’t mean the money,son. I mean pure survival. You won’t outlive defying me.”

Remy flinches. It’s an innocent backlash of movement that makes it fucking clear he still hasn’t comprehended the sickening level of his father’s malice.

“Death threats don’t go down nicely around these parts.” I glide my pointer finger over the tip of my blade, drawing blood, seeking restraint. “Lorenzo won’t stand for violence against family. His rules are the only reason you’re still breathing. But I’m sure you know that.”

“Then maybe I don’t start with family. Maybe I start with your girl.”

His confidence turns my veins glacial. “You won’t get a chance to hurt her.”

He flashes his teeth. “I can’t wait to see the look on your face when I prove you wrong.”

I glance over my shoulder, needing to see Layla after he’s effortlessly triggered my paranoia.

She stands with her back to me, her focus on Lorenzo who walks for the hall. She’s safe behind the bulletproof glass, the guards close by with weapons at the ready.

“Your days of toying with us are over.” Salvatore crosses a leg over one knee, feigning relaxation that isn’t shown in his tight posture. “And I’ll make sure all the money you stole from us is reclaimed tenfold. You’ll be destitute.”

Lorenzo’s parrots screech louder.

“I’m not toying with you.” Emmanuel places the oxygen mask on the table beside his cell. “I’m defeating.”

The noise grows, the panicked birds shrieking.

We need to get out of here. I’m done having patience for his shit.

“Come on.” I lean forward to clap Salvatore on the shoulder. “This is pointless. We need to finalize our plan with Lorenzo.”

“Wait.” Emmanuel pushes to shaky feet. “I have something for you.”

“Whatever it is, we don’t want it,” I raise my voice over the crow. The caw. The flutter of wings. But there’s something else, too. Something subtle. A rhythmic thud.

Footsteps.

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