Page 71 of Devour
“If I tell you, you’ll charge straight into a trap. And if by some miracle you make it out alive, do you really think he’ll just hand her over?”
She gives me that smug look, the kind only someone who’s survived too many lies can pull off.
“I know Vito better than you do. He’s cunning, cruel, and always two steps ahead. He wants you to lose control. He’s counting on it. Look at yourself, you’re a fucking mess. You think you’re in any state to make the right call?”
“And what would you have me do? Sit on my ass while he does god knows what to my wife?” My voice rises. “You know what? I don’t have time for this. If you know where she is, say it. If not—get the hell out.” I point to the door, jaw clenched.
She doesn’t flinch. Her tone softens, but it doesn’t lose its edge.
“I know you won’t believe me when I say this, but I’m here for my grandchild. If something happens to you, he’s next.”
I stare at her. I don’t believe a damn word. If she really gave a shit, she would’ve been around during Noah’s hospitalization. I know her spy kept her updated. Maybe it’s about time I root the bastard out.
“Shouldn’t you be happy about that?” I sneer. “If something happens to me, you’ll still have an heir, one you can mold to your liking.”
“I know you don’t believe me, but I want to help.”
She takes a breath.
“I had my men track down Romano. We found him vacationing in Bled, Slovenia—off-grid, heavily guarded.” “He’s a hard man to talk to, but I managed to get a meeting. He didn’t know what Finn was up to. Left him in charge when he left. He was planning to retire when he got back—name Finn as head of the family.”
She pauses.
“Now he’s pissed. Betrayal doesn’t sit well with him. There’s a bounty on Finn’s head.”
I stay silent.
“Romano also told me about one of his old hideouts. Said Finn is stupid he’ll still use it.”
“Where?”
She rattles off the address. I’m already striding toward the door, reaching for the burner in my pocket when her hand closes around my arm. I stop. Turn my head slowly to look at her.
“He doesn’t expect the cargo back,” she says carefully. “But he wants something in return.”
She holds my gaze.
“Tell him I want a meeting. Then we’ll talk.”
I glance down at her hand still on my arm. She finally let's go. I walk out without another word. As I reach my car, I call Dominic.
“I know where they are.” “I tell him the address. Secure the place. Do not engage until I get there.” I hang up, start the engine, and drive.
“They’re in there,” Dominic tells me as soon as I arrive.
“How many?”
“Two guards at the entrance. We don’t know how many are inside.”
They picked a decent hideout, abandoned cars and scattered metal spare parts everywhere. We can use that to our advantage. We’ll be on them before they even see us coming. We spread out.
Someone steps out. I can’t see his face clearly in the dark, only the faint outline lit by the moonlight as he walks toward the rubble near where I’m hiding.
The two guards at the entrance are distracted, watching him. As he gets closer, I notice he’s swaying on his feet, probably drunk, sloppy. They’re celebrating. He thinks he’s got me cornered. He is not expecting us.
I signal to Dominic and Axel to take down the two guards while I handle the one heading my way. I zip up my biker jacket. It’s a good thing my outfit from this morning is all black, except for the white undershirt. I hadn’t thought of changing before, all my thoughts had been centered on saving Ariel.
I draw my blade—I don’t need a gun for a close kill like this. As soon as Dominic and Axel make their move, I turn toward my target. His hand is at his fly when I creep up behind him and press the blade to his throat.
