Page 8 of Wicked Knight 2

“You’re a good boy, Maxim.” He stood and cradled my neck. His rough hand tightened its hold on me. “You’re family. Never forget that.”

“I know.”

“I’ll see you out there.” He winced in pain. When I made to help him, he slapped my hand away. “I’m not as old as you think.”

“You’re going to outlive us all.” I stepped back.

“Hmm.” He headed out.

As soon as he left my suite, Ivan rushed in. “They told me Papa came to see you. Did he ask you to kill me?”

“No. Not you.” I gestured for him to take a seat.

His eyes went big in surprise as he lowered himself onto the couch. “Dominic?”

I nodded. “Don’t worry about that. We need to hatch out a plan. Papa wants the princess situation handled tonight.” I braced my arms on my thighs. “I was thinking the hospital is our best bet.”

“I was thinking the same.” Ivan sat forward, beaming. After a few seconds, his smile faded. “Wait. Did Papa say I could join you on this run?”

“He did.” I slapped his knee. “But Ivan, no more screw-ups. This is your last chance, brother.”

“Cross my heart.” He drew an x with his forefinger across his chest. “And hope to die.”

“Right. Let’s get to work.”

We spent the rest of the morning drawing up routes to get into the city without raising suspicion. After the auctions in Jersey, the Italian crews were on hyper alert. They were using the carnage that happened at the warehouse as an excuse to keep us out. Somehow, they had decided all the territories belonged to them now. Even the Irish were on their side, blocking our access to Harlem. We were confined to Brighton Beach.

“It’s like going through our asses to get to our elbow, but it should work.” I stood over the map I had laid out on the coffee table. “Let’s confirm she’s working the night shift tonight. I know that’s her normal schedule, but we need eyes on her before we make the move.”

“I can go and keep watch outside the hospital.”

“No, not you. Until Papa has forgotten about Jersey and your dealings with that asshole Angelo Soprano, you don’t leave my side.” I ran my fingers through my now dry hair, as I went through the list of possible men who could join us tonight. “What about Slava? He knows what she looks like. The less our guys know about what we’re doing, the better.”

“I’ll tell him he’s with us tonight.”

“Good. Do that now.” I motioned for him to go on.

“Yeah.” He jerked to his feet and headed out.

When the door shut behind him, I plopped myself down on the sofa and covered my eyes with my arm. I had about another half hour before I had to go and deal with Dominic. No matter how much I tried to focus on the fight ahead of me, all I could think of was that in a matter of hours, I would have Donata Salvatore, in the flesh, in front of me.

If all went well, my revenge against the Italians would start tonight. By sunrise, Donata would be all mine. In my mind, I saw her clear as day with her head titled backward while I rammed into her over and over until I found my release, until every bit of pleasure had been spent, and I spilled my seed deep inside her.

“Fuck me. Please.”Her words echoed in my ears.

“Shit.” I squeezed my eyes tighter before I opened them.

Twelve hours ago, I didn’t even know she existed. Between this thirst for revenge and the dream of her, I couldn’t deny I had developed a dark obsession for her. Nothing else mattered until she was here with me.

I rose to my feet, letting the rage building in my chest take over. Dominic was in the way of getting what I wanted. Dominic had to die. I made myself remember my usual nightmare. I saw myself pulling the trigger and splattering his brain guts on the wall.

CHAPTER4

Until There's a Clear Winner

Maxim

Five minutes before noon, the ruckus down in the courtyard snapped me out of my reverie. I had somehow gone down the Donata rabbit hole all over again. With a loud exhale, I braced my hands on my knees and stood.

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