Page 95 of Descent

“In accordance with international law, we hereby declare a heightened state of alert. Yesterday, a dangerous criminal being delivered to Interpol for sentencing escaped the authorities in a tragic, devastating attack. Our hearts are with the families of the officers involved.

“In regard to the prisoner, Domenico Vipera, he is to be considered armed and dangerous. Any information as to his whereabouts, or the two accomplices who aided in his escape must be reported to the proper authorities at once.”

Pictures of my face and Circe’s appear on the screen.

Shit.

She then proceeds to list our alleged crimes. In Hong Kong. Russia. Thailand. The list goes one. Specifics. Robberies. Kidnappings. Murder. Aiding and abetting terrorist andcriminal organizations alike. Just about every single thing we’ve done over the past year.

“That’s…” Circe plops down at the foot of the bed.

“Daciana Dalca!” Dom’s on his feet, pointing at the woman speaking on screen. She’s my fucking ’Ndrangheta contact.”

I look closer. At the eyes. Circe spots it too, almost simultaneously.

“Ananke,” we whisper at the same time.

“Who?”

“The woman who we work for. Who…ordered us to do all of that. Funded our missions.”

“The woman who used us,” I hiss, my fists bunching. “She fucking forced us to do her bidding.”

Silence settles for a time, the TV muted.

Dom breaks the stillness finally, his eyes darting as he paces the room. “She set this all up. My escape. The hitmen. Forced you to rescue me. To put us on the run.”

“Actually, we had orders to kill you too,” I admit.

“We were still going to after we questioned you,” Circe adds. “Before we went back. It was supposed to be our final mission.”

“Looks like it was,” Dom grimaces. “Dalca, or Ananke, or whatever…she always had a plan. Intricate.”

“There’s a reason she wanted you dead.”

“Or she wanted me to appear to be on the run. How many different gangs showed up to snatch me, kill me? I bet the contract said to make sure no one ever found my body.”

“Which means she needs a scapegoat.”

“And regardless of whether we killed him or died in the cross fire, she’d have her win.” Circe crosses her arms.

“To what end?” I wonder, rubbing my face.

“Scapegoat. Like you said. With us in the spotlight, a distraction, she can make her move.” Dom stops his circling. “The ’Ndrangheta always wanted New York. They sent me totake it from Aless. But I left things…unfinished. But with me dead, or on the lamb, she can seize my international assets through the court. Legally. Which will get her access to every shell corporation I owned.”

“Meaning the entire East Coast operation. Shipping companies. Warehouses,” I marvel.

“And the network of accountants and informants, every remaining business operating under the umbrella.” Dom finishes, smiling wickedly.

“How do you know” And why is he grinning?

“Because I would have done the exact same thing. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I was going to take advantage of the situation to get out, take my place in her ranks. Work my way up if I had to. The odds are too high that she sent you and every other pro to that hit. The likelihood that we’re dead in her eyes is next to certain.”

“She knows what we are capable of,” Circe objects. “What then?”

“If you thought she burned you, what would you have done without all this info?”

“Run.”

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