Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“That sound was practically drilled into us,” I say, glancing over at Maddie. “It’s the sort of thing men in our line of work need to be ready for.”
“Yeah, well, Dad’s fucking drills saved my life. I heard that, saw the car, and I threw myself behind a parked truck. But I guess I was too slow because the fuckers got my damn leg. The rat bastards. It hurt like hell, but they didn’t stick around to try to finish me off. They just raced away like the cowardly pricks they are. That’s when the lovely ladies of the Horse and Pony came out to tend to my wounds.”
“The strippers called the ambulance,” Saul supplies.
“Got it.” I rub my temple. “Did you see who it was?”
“Nah, didn’t see anything. It was a black SUV, a little beat up, but there are a million of those in Philly. I didn’t see the plates either. I was too busy bleeding.”
“Here I thought the gunshot wound was no big deal.” I give him a tight grin.
“Fuck off.” He grins back. “But we both know who it was.” He glances over at Maddie. “Same sickos that came after her.”
“For what it’s worth, Carlo, I’m sorry this happened,” she says in a small voice.
“No worries. Not your fault. Looks like we’re both survivors now.” His smile turns sharp and it’s like he’s got a new bond with my wife.
I clear my throat to grab his attention. “I’ll put out feelers and see if anyone takes responsibility. For now, I’m leaving a couple guys to keep watch over you, understand?”
“Goddamn it, I can take care of myself.”
“Can you?” I pretend like I’m going to punch his leg and he flinches then groans in pain. “My point exactly.”
“You’re a sick bastard.” He sighs, leaning back against the pillows. “But fine, point taken. I’ll be back on my feet soon.”
I glance at Saul and motion with my head. He nods, punches Carlo in the arm, tells him to feel better soon, then we step out into the hall together. Before I duck out the door, I wait for Maddie to follow.
The three of us huddle up together. Maddie seems uncomfortable, like she’s not sure that she belongs. Saul gives her a look, but he doesn’t push back. “What’s the play?” he asks.
“We don’t know for sure that it was the Russians,” I say quietly.
“But we both know it was.” Saul’s expression is hard. “Coming after one of our own—”
“They already did that when they tried to hurt Maddie.” I give him a pointed look and he accepts the rebuke with a nod. “I’ll send Victor’s tongue over to Jasha when I get back home. Then we’ll hit his people again.”
Maddie’s eyes widen at the mention of my little surprise, but she doesn’t ask for clarification. Probably for the best.
“Who?” Saul’s already making plans in his head.
“Ideally, Jasha himself, but that’s not realistic. He came after our brother, so it has to be someone important.”
“Serge? The dealer?”
“No, bigger.”
“There’s Pavel. He’s been friends with Jasha for years.” Saul taps a finger against his chest. “No, I have to. Fyodor. The fixer.”
I grunt, considering. Pavel’s a good choice—it would personally hurt Jasha to lose a friend—but Fyodor’s more important to the Aslanov Bratva. He’s their top lawyer, the guy they call to fix any sort of legal situation, and sits high up in the hierarchy. Possibly second only to Jasha himself.
“Fyodor’s perfect,” I say quietly. “He thinks he’s above the violence because of his fancy law degree, but they tried to kill Carlo. The line has been crossed twice now and it’s time we did something about it.”
“I’ll start putting plans together.” Saul nods sharply, turns around, and stalks away.
I move closer to Maddie. She lets me put my hands on her hips and pull her into an embrace. A nurse watches curiously, but doesn’t interrupt, and I don’t give a shit what she thinks. I pull back and kiss my wife softly. “You okay?”
“Just shaken is all.”
“Carlo will be okay. This isn’t the first time he’s been shot.”
“That doesn’t really make me feel better.” She laughs, her hands on my chest, her fingers digging in. “I knew what you did was dangerous, but I guess now it’s really hitting me.”
“Oh? Almost getting kidnapped didn’t do it?”
“It’s one thing for them to come for me, but to go after your own brother? I don’t know, it feels different.”
“It’s not different. Not to me. I hoped I could contain this mess before a real war broke out, but that’s not happening anymore.”
“Should I be scared?”
“No.” I touch her cheek with the back of my hand. “I’ll keep you safe. We’ll have to be more careful, that’s all.”
She nods but doesn’t seem convinced. “Are you going to be involved in what happens next? I mean, personally?”