Page 41 of The Mafia's Second Shot

The room tilts slightly, my blood turning cold. “How close are they?”

“Not inside the perimeter yet,” Liam replies. “But they’re close enough to make me nervous.”

I exhale slowly, trying to rein in the panic clawing at my chest. “Keep watching. Don’t engage unless you have no other choice. I’m heading back.”

“Yes, boss,” Liam says before the line goes dead.

I shovethe phone into my pocket and grab my jacket. Marco steps in front of me, his expression tense. “What’s going on?”

“Rossi’s men might be near the cabin,” I say, brushing past him. “I need to get back.”

“Cooper,” Marco calls after me. “Think this through. If they’re already there?—”

“They’re not,” I interrupt, my tone icy. “And I’m not waiting to find out. Zoey’s there. Alone.”

Marco hesitates, then nods grimly. “Take Angelo with you. You’ll need backup.”

I don’t argue. Angelo falls into step beside me as we head for the car, the gravity of the situation sinking in with every step. If Rossi’s men have found the cabin, everything I’ve done to keep Zoey safe could unravel in an instant.

The drive is a blur,the winding mountain roads passing in a haze of fear and adrenaline. Angelo sits silently beside me, his hand resting on his gun. My grip on the wheel is tight, my mind racing with possibilities.

“She’ll be okay,” Angelo says finally, breaking the silence. “Zoey’s tougher than she looks.”

“I know,” I reply, my voice tight. “But Rossi doesn’t fight fair. If he’s gotten anywhere near her...”

I trail off, unable to finish the thought. Angelo doesn’t press, his silence a small mercy.

As we approachthe turnoff for the cabin, I kill the headlights and park the car off the road. The forest is quiet, the trees casting long shadows in the moonlight. I step out of the car, my gun drawn, and motion for Angelo to follow.

We move carefully, every step deliberate as we make our way toward the cabin. My heart pounds in my chest, the silence around us almost deafening. When the cabin comes into view, my stomach clenches. The lights are off, the windows dark.

I signal for Angelo to circle around the back as I approach the front door. My hand hovers over the handle, my body tense as I prepare for the worst.

“Zoey,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

Nothing.

The cabin looms in front of me, its silence more unsettling than any noise. I tighten my grip on the gun, every nerve in my body screaming that I might already be too late.

30

ZOEY

The cabin feels impossibly still, the silence pressing down on me like a weight. I sit by the window, clutching the gun Liam left behind, my eyes fixed on the dark expanse of forest. The hours drag on, each minute stretching longer than the last. Every rustle of leaves, every creak of the cabin’s old wood makes my heart race.

They might be near.

The coded message Liam sent replays in my mind. I’ve read it so many times I can see the words burned into my memory. I try to focus on what he taught me—stay calm, stay hidden, and stay ready. But the truth is, I’ve never been good at waiting, and the uncertainty is gnawing at my sanity.

I move to the kitchen,trying to distract myself by pouring a glass of water. My hands tremble as I set the glass down, the sound too loud in the quiet space. My thoughts drift to Cooper. He promised he’d come back, but what if he’s too late? What if Rossi’s men find me first?

I shake the thought away, gripping the edge of the counter. “Focus, Zoey,” I mutter under my breath. “You’re not helpless.”

Liam’s words come back to me.If they come, make yourself small. Stay out of sight until you have no other choice. And when you do fight, aim for center mass. Always center mass.

I glance at the heavy wooden chest by the fireplace, my stomach twisting. Inside are more weapons—pistols, ammo, and a hunting knife. The thought of using them makes my chest tighten, but I know I can’t hesitate if the worst happens.

The first signof trouble comes just after midnight. A faint sound outside—a crunch of snow underfoot. I freeze, my grip tightening on the gun as I strain to listen. The sound comes again, louder this time. Closer.

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