Page 141 of Massimo

There's no hesitation. "Yes."

Chapter 58

Nova

We'reinMassimo'soffice,and the energy is electric as he issues orders and coordinates all the incoming intel.

Massimo, in full-on Don mode, is something to behold—dangerous and lethal, yet calm and controlled. I stand back, watching my husband—my husband—and his strategic, cunning mind at work. I'm in awe. And more than a little turned on.

Yes, I realize how twisted that is. That I'm aroused, while watching my husband plan and plot to destroy my father. But I'm reveling in the thought that my father's hell-on-earth rule is about to end.

And it's not just my father who Massimo is planning to attack today, it's Julien Moreau. The heinous monster my father made an alliance with, planning to use me as payment.

Zara, one of Massimo’s allies, had called to report that Julien was in San Francisco. She’d gotten the intel from one of her “sisters” in a global network—a kind of sisterhood that punishes those who hurt women and children.

This intel should be pushing me toward a terror-filled catatonic state. Because if Julien is here in the city, that means he's just as desperate to get me back as my father is. And if Julien is here, it's almost certain that my father is as well. But Massimo's calm, controlled demeanor, combined with the ruthless, possessive, protectiveness radiating off him, keeps me at completeease.

I feel no fear. Only a dark satisfaction and rising excitement to destroy my father.

"Creed has Sophie andMammasecure at the estate," Vito says to Massimo.

Gabe had laid out a cache of weapons and ammunition out on Massimo's desk before he left to coordinate increasing the perimeter security.

Gemma inspects a gun from the cache, then slips it into her tactical vest along with additional magazines of ammo. "Does Creed need more guards at the estate, Vito?"

"They're good. With his security personnel, plus our guards, there's close to forty there."

Marco holds up what I think is a grenade launcher. "Crispin has pulled in all his resources for the surveillance and tech work."

Massimo acknowledges this all with a nod as his phone rings, and he quickly answers it. "Thanks for checking in, Dom. What do you have for me?" He puts the call on speakerphone, pulling me into his side, keeping me close.

"I lost Ivan." Dom's frustrated voice cuts through the room.

"Fuck," Massimo mutters, but remains stoic and calm. "Send me his last known location."

"Already sent it to Crispin and Daniele," he replies. "Hopefully, with Daniele's bloodhound skills for sniffing out scum, she'll quickly be able to dig up Ivan. The rest of the Serpents haven't been seen either. So they're hiding —"

"Planning another attack," Massimo finishes.

"Ash said Sean Finley and all his crew are sticking close to home, like they're avoiding everyone. But he's got Digit monitoring them," Dom adds, referring to the Havoc Guardians' tech guru.

"Thanks, Dom. Keep me posted."

Massimo hangs up, his brow furrowed. It’s the only sign of his inner turmoil. I gently run my finger over his forehead, and he relaxes under the touch.

He looks down at me, love evident in his gaze, but before he can speak, his phone rings again. He glances at the screen and then addresses the room. "Everyone except Nova, please leave."

Without a word, Vito, Marco, Gemma, and Jerome exit. Vito gives Massimo a nod before closing the door behind him.

Tension rises within me, and Massimo leans down to kiss my forehead. "It's an ally of mine. But I'd prefer to keep this conversation private."

"I can leave."

He pulls me into his lap as he sits behind his desk. "Not happening." Then he answers the phone, putting it on speaker. "Hello, Rurik."

A man with a cold voice and slight Russian accent answers. "Massimo. I come bearing a gift. But I ask for something in return."

Massimo runs a hand along my spine. "And what is that?"

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