Page 101 of Toxic

The air is so cold, our breath comes out in a fog. We silently watch the activity in our line of sight, but all night, the Abruzzos never enter the gray zone. When daylight comes, we're exhausted and frustrated.

We go home, and Papà orders us to return to the port when it turns dark. I crawl into bed, sleep through the day, and when I wake up, it's time to return.

I don't look at my phone until I'm in the SUV heading back toward the port. There are several missed calls and text messages, but I only care about a few of them.

Sean:Where are you?

Sean:Thought I could count on you. I knew it was too good to be true.

Bridget:Are you home yet?

Bridget:Should I be worried?

My heart sinks. "Shit," I mutter then try to call Sean, but he throws me into voicemail, so I text.

Me:I'm sorry. Work got crazy. I promise you I'll make it up to you.

Sean:Nah. We're finished.

Me:No, we aren't. And stop being a victim. I've got a work issue, and that's life. As soon as this gets handled, we'll be back on schedule.

He doesn't reply. The vehicle pulls up to the docks and parks. I text Bridget.

Me:Sorry, dolcezza. I forgot to text you when I got home. I'm back out again. Hopefully, I'll get to take care of this issue tonight. Sorry to cancel dinner.

I put my phone in my pocket then step out of the SUV. Gianni and I take our positions like the previous night. For several hours, nothing happens. Around nine, Gianni states, "Maybe Papà's instincts are wrong, our checks were accurate, and there's another reason the Abruzzos backed out of the zone."

"What would the—" I cut myself off as the hairs on my arms rise.

Six men appear in the gray zone. They walk toward us. My brother and I both hold our breaths and position our guns.

I glance through the binoculars. Even in the dark, through night vision googles, it's clear they're Abruzzos. Two of the men have the Abruzzo open-mouthed snake on their necks.

They get closer, and Gianni mutters, "Now."

We each fire three shots, barely audible due to our silencers. Each man gets a bullet between the eyes and goes down. Blood pools on the ground around them, spreading as we stare at it, waiting to see if more Abruzzos were with them.

We wait an hour, and when no one else appears, we get in the SUV and head home.

I pick up my phone and call Papà.

He answers, "Is it done?"

"Yes. Six of them. We waited an hour after, but no one else arrived."

"And you used the Rossi bullets just in case the port authorities decide to investigate?"

"Yes."

"Good. Get home and change. There's business at the club you need to attend to."

I close my eyes, irritated. It's early enough I could have still gone over to Bridget's and taken her out. Now, I'm going to be stuck at the club all evening. I haven't enjoyed stepping foot in it since the night I pulled Bridget off that thug. It's not a place I would ever take her, and now that we're together, I have no desire to go there. I sigh then reply, "Fine." I groan when I hang up.

"What's wrong?" Gianni asks.

"Papà has something he needs us to do at the club."

"So, what's the problem?"

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