Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“That’s the only reason you’re still breathing.” A car pulls up. Mass opens the back door. “Get inside.”
Gabe gives me one last look before obeying. He climbs into the car. “Hope we can get to know each other some more, brother-in-law,” he says with a grin.
Mass slams the door and scowls at me. “I still want to cut out his tongue.”
The car drives off as I lean against my husband. “Please don’t.” I get on my toes and kiss him. “Exactly how many men did you bring with you, by the way?”
“A lot.” He pulls me tightly against him. “New York’s not entirely safe for us anymore, love.” His lips are soft as he brushes them against my neck. “We should get out of here.”
“You don’t want to stay? Spend a night together for old times’ sake?”
I’m teasing, but I can tell he’s tempted. “One day maybe, but not right now.”
“Your loss.”
MASS
It’s not right.
He should be missing at least a hand by now.
Instead, Gabriel Russo, my wife’s brother, sits in a comfortable chair in the room I had prepared for him. It locks from the outside, but there’s a bedroom, a luxurious bathroom, and a small kitchenette with a stocked pantry. He’s about as comfortable as a prisoner can get in the Fortress.
“If it helps at all, I had no clue the insider was Rosie’s nanny.” Gabe watches me carefully. I can tell he’s on edge, worried I might lash out. Like I’m a rabid dog.
He’s a smart man.
“Satya will be handled.” I don’t ask him where she is again. We’ve gone over this a few times already, and I believe his story.
He’s been surprisingly unhelpful. Medved was very careful in recruiting him. He was told only as much as he needed to know and was never given a glimpse into Medved’s inner workings.
Gabe was useful, but he wasn’t important.
Which is frustrating. I had hoped that bringing him in here would give me something to use against my enemies. Instead, I’ve gained nearly nothing, except for my wife’s goodwill.
I’m tempted to burn all that by putting a bullet in Gabe’s head.
Instead, I slide a phone across the table to him. “I assume you have a number you can use to contact Medved.”
He frowns slightly and doesn’t touch it. “Yes, but it only ever rings to a voicemail system.”
“I suspect this call will be different.” I nod at the phone. “Pick it up. I want you to do something for me.”
Gabe still doesn’t move. “Tell me what you’re getting me into first.”
“You’re not in a position to make demands.”
“Allie might trust you, but I sure as fuck don’t. Not yet at least.”
I continue to stare at him. “My daughter was nearly taken from me and delivered into my greatest enemy’s hands. You were part of that plot. The only reason you’re not dead is my love for your sister. If I were you, I’d be a little more careful.”
Gabe considers. It speaks well of his character that he doesn’t act defiant and he doesn’t break down into begging either. Instead, he’s calculating. I can appreciate that.
“What do you want me to say?” he asks finally.
We go over the script together. It’s a very simple idea. Allie came up with part of it. She’s the one who said Gabe should make this call instead of her. She thought it would carry more weight if he pretended to still be on the other team.
Gabe puts the phone on speaker and lets the number ring. I sit back, keeping myself as calm as I can.
Until her voice comes through.
“Hello, Allie. I’m really happy you decided to call.”
My body goes rigid. I sit up straight, breathing hard and staring down at the little black rectangle. If Gabe notices, he doesn’t comment.
That old bitch. That fucking cunt of a nanny.
Satya is on the line, and I don’t know if I can control myself.
“It’s Gabriel. I don’t have long to talk.”
She sounds surprised. “How did you get this phone?”
“Mass brought me to his island. I’ve been spending some time with Allie, explaining the situation to her. She’s coming around, but I’m not sure she’s convinced yet.”
A short pause. Satya seems thoughtful. “You’re moving around freely?”
“Allie convinced her husband that I’m not a threat. But I think there’s another way out of this.”
“Your sister didn’t seem interested in leaving the island.”
“She was misinformed and confused. I’m working on her.”
“You haven’t won her over yet?”
“I will soon. But in the meantime, how involved can you be?”
Satya sounds pleased. “I have my ways. If you can get Allie to play along, I can get to you two.”
“Good. Keep an eye on this phone. I’ll call again soon.”
“Be careful, Gabriel. Massimo is more than just a ruthless monster. But he’s also very much that.”
Gabe hangs up and looks at me. He arches an eyebrow. “Well? How was that?”