Page 28 of His Broken Queen

“Don’t be so sure.”

“What do you have for us?” Gio asked.

“I spoke with Senator Collins today. He owes me a rather large favor, one that I’ve been waiting to cash in on. This one will benefit all of us and give us the time to eliminate whoever is coming after the New York mafia. This will be of particular interest to you.”

“I’m listening.”

“As of this afternoon, Agent Carson Morgan is being transferred to the California bureau. He will no longer be assigned to any cases involving organized crime.”

Impressive.

“Of course, another agent will take over and probably be just as much if not more of a nuisance, but that won’t be for a few weeks. We can do what needs to be done. Don’t squander this opportunity.”

He opened the door and then looked over his shoulder at me. “Watch your back, and that’s not a threat. It’s a genuine sentiment.” He shut the door behind him.

“What the fuck was that?” Gio asked. “Now he wants to work with us?”

“He knows something big is brewing and he needs us on his side.” I sat on the edge of the desk. “Where are we with those DNA results?”

“I went with Rocco this morning and submitted to the test. I had our guy at the lab put a rush on it.”

“I believe Antonio knows the truth about Rocco’s paternity, but Kristina can’t be trusted. For all we know, Antonio could be his father if she was sleeping with both of them at the same time.”

“Why do you think Dad wouldn’t pursue that? He was so territorial. If there was a possibility that he had another son, wouldn’t he have insisted on a paternity test?”

“Who knows?” I rubbed my temples, trying to ward off the impending headache. “I’ve been away from Luciana long enough. I need to get back and check on her.”

“I can leave with you,” he said. “Let me text the guys and have them bring the car around the back. The less we’re seen here today, the better.”

“Do you want to go on lockdown like the Marchellis?”

“Someone is coming for the families.” Gio sent the text and shoved his phone in his pocket. “There’s no reason not to take precautions.”

“I agree.”

We walked out of the office and down the back stairs to the doors that led to the alley way.

“The penthouse is the best bet for now.” When Gio opened the doors, the sunlight poured in, making it difficult to see the street. “We can control who comes in and out. No one can get through the building security without us okaying it.”

“It’s probably better for now.” I put my sunglasses on. “Lu’s not ready to go back to our house anyway.” I wasn’t sure when or if she would ever be ready to go back home.

Once we stepped outside, the sound of screeching tires caught my attention. I turned my head just as Joey pulled the SUV up in front of us. The car with the loud tires stopped in the cross street and rolled down the tinted windows.

“Fuck!” Gio shouted.

I looked back at him as Salvi drew his gun amidst the booming sound of gun fire. I reached for my gun and took aim. When I raised my arm to fire, an excruciating pain ripped through me. Gio opened the car door and shoved me inside.

He helped me up from the floor of the car as Salvi got in the back with us and slammed the door.

“Drive!” Salvi shouted at Joey. “Fucking run them over if you have to.”

The bullets bounced off the windows as Joey floored it, but I couldn’t focus on what was happening because something wasn’t right. Pain radiated through my left shoulder. I glanced down at my suit jacket because it felt wet, but the material was too dark for me to see anything. When I pressed my hand against the jacket, blood transferred onto my palm.

“Shit.”

“What?” Gio asked.

“I think I…” I unbuttoned my jacket as the blood seeped through my shirt.

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