Page 12 of Delivered in White

I step in. “That’s not how this works. We’re dealing with Sonny and Groundhog, right? Well, they have two goons who are experts on surveillance parked down the street right now. They findanythingout of order, they’re coming in for clean-up, and our two targets will never show. So, what’s the grace period for?” I eye Rocco.

“They think I can get an appeal on Esko’s case. I have twelve hours to obtain proof. Closer to ten now, actually.”

“Alright,” I say. “It would be suspicious for Sonny’s men not to have any reports in twelve hours, so you’re going to go out to your car and give them something to talk about, make them think you’re trying to flee. But really, you’ll just get something from your car and head back in. Make sure you’re on the phone as you do it. We want them to think you’re busy getting that appeal. After that, close all the shades, then take your daughter and hide in the basement. Mine and my father’s shadows don’t exactly align with yours, so we’ll have to be careful.”

Capri’s eyes scan me in surprise.

“Who’s Jackie fucking Junior now?” I strut toward the glass double doors, internalizing that cute smirk of hers.

“Excuse me!” Her flip-flops slap as she runs up to me and reaches to cover my eyes. “That’smyroom. You’re not allowed in, as my future husband and all.”

“Get out of my face, bug.” I peel her fingers off to see a worried face staring up at me.

“Trino,” she says while the others are out of earshot.

“What?”

“Are we going to be okay?” Her nose wrinkles.

“Yes, Capri. Just let me concentrate and do my job.”

She smiles and kisses me on the cheek. “I can do that.”

In a million years, I would never show her that her lips on my skin made my entire body tremble. She’s the first woman I’ve even looked at in broad daylight in years, and damn, with a few tattoos and a piercing, she’d be smoking hot.

I step into her room and look past the doorway, noticing two shadows in the distance in front of the fogged glass by the front door.Shit.I grab Capri hard by the shoulder and put a hand over her mouth. With my head, I signal my father to come beside me.

“Change of plans, Rocco! You and your daughter are coming with me,”Sonny’s voice sounds through the mail slot.“Don’t make me knock twice.”

Capri’s eyes are wide with fear, but mine are calm and even. Even with civilian obstacles, I know what to do. This is what I call a spur-of-the-moment job opportunity.

“Rocco. Answer the door,” I whisper. “Me and my father will wait here when they look for your daughter.”

“He’ll beat me to a pulp again,” Rocco says in shock.

“Nah. He already roughed you up. Probably wants you to make your calls on his watch,” my father says, but I hold out my arm – a thought just hit me.

“Either that, or he spoke to another lawyer and found out you’re full of shit,” I say to Rocco. “Which means he might shoot you on the spot.”

My father nods and pulls out his pistol. “Alright. Head toward the door and pretend you’re on the phone.”

“Are you really going to make me cause a scene with your neighbors outside?”Sonny cackles.

Rocco’s legs shake as my father pushes him forward.

“Sell it, Rocco. That way this doesn’t end in a mess,” my father’s voice rattles.

Rocco picks up his phone and activates the Ring camera app – except the screen is black with no video and recording is somehow disabled.

How the hell did he hack their camera?

“Sonny, I’m on the phone trying to get you your proof,” Rocco’s voice quavers as he shouts at the door.

“Oh, is that so?”

I shake my head at my father, and he agrees. This isn’t a pick-up job. It’s a hit.

“Well then, you wouldn’t mind letting us in so we can help move things along.”

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