Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
I open my mouth to tell him that’s not enough, but the look he gives me makes the words die in my throat. He’s already conceding too much. This is a man juggling dozens of different interests and dealing with more pressure than I can imagine. And here he is, giving me time to pull off a miracle, even though it’s not ideal.
“I’ll make it happen.” I stand and place the half-finished glass back on the drink cart. “Three weeks should be enough.”
“If you can’t do it fast, you can’t do it at all. Be aggressive, Luca. Show strength. Make sure the Serrano Capos know you aren’t weak. Make them see Raf as their real leader. And do it fast. I hate talking to fucking politicians.”
I nod to him. “Thank you, Adriano.”
“Good luck. I really hope you pull this off.”
The unspoken promise hangs between us. Three weeks, and if Raf isn’t the undisputed Don of the Serrano Famiglia, Adriano will step in and make a deal with Corrado.
Peace is coming, whether it benefits me or not.
I leave his office. These are dark days. I start formulating plans in my head as I make my way back out to my car.
My phone starts ringing. I pause beside the driver’s side door and check the screen.
It’s Leo. I frown slightly. He’s on Raf protection duty.
“Don’t tell me you’re bored?” I say as I answer the phone and climb into the car.
“Luca, listen to me, something’s happening.” Leo’s voice is a hushed whisper, and a chill runs down my spine. The urgency in his tone is very bad.
“What’s going on? Talk to me.”
“There are these guys here. They’re dressed like doctors, but I don’t think they’re doctors. I told one of the nurses to send them to the wrong room. She likes me, so she’s doing it, but I don’t fucking know, man. This feels fucked up.”
“Listen to me, Leo.” I start the engine, panic slamming into my chest. “Get Raf out of there.”
“How the fuck am I supposed to do that? He’s got all these wires and shit.”
“Your nurse friend can help. Go get her and move him, move him right now. Do it fucking fast.”
“Shit. All right. I’m on it.”
“I’m coming with backup. Just hold on.”
“Be fucking fast. I think there are more than just the two of them.”
The line goes dead. I pause long enough to bark a string of curses and immediately call Stefano’s number.
“Hospital,” I shout at him as I peel out, driving recklessly fast. “Right the fuck now!”
Chapter 31
Luca
Iscream into the parking garage and barely miss crashing into a truck as I grab a spot and jump out of my car. My gun’s tucked in my pants, and I’m running toward the elevator that leads to the hospital lobby. I try calling Leo’s phone, but he doesn’t pick up.
“Luca!” Stefano’s voice from my left echoes off the concrete. He’s running toward me. Goddamn, that big bastard is fast. I’m grateful he got here so quickly. “What the hell’s going on?”
“I think Corrado’s making a move on Raf. Leo called and said some shady doctors were asking around about him.”
Stefano looks grim. “What’s he doing now?”
“I told him to get out of there, but he’s not answering his phone.” I try it two more times as we ride the elevator and again when we reach the lobby. The fourth time, it goes straight to voicemail. “Fuck!”
“I’m calling Davide.” Stefano lifts his phone to his ear. “Brother, listen to me. Track Leo’s phone right now.” He pulls me aside and puts the phone on speaker. We’re alone in a little alcove. It’s dark outside, and there aren’t many people in the building this late.
“All right, looking into it,” Davide says, and I hear the clatter of him typing. “Give me a second. Dialing in… looks like the GPS on his phone is still active… and there he is.”
“Well? The fuck, man?”
“He’s still in the building.” More typing and a frustrated grunt. “But the signal’s weak.”
“What’s that mean?” I ask, frustration burning in my guts. If Corrado gets to Raf, everything’s finished. Adriano will cut a deal and I’ll be fucked. We’ll have to leave the city if we want any safety at all, but how can I turn my back on the Famiglia like that?
“Seems like his cell service is bad or he’s underground or something.”
I exchange a look with Stefano. “Basement level?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Can’t be that.”
“Basement of that hospital is mostly surgical suites and a morgue, so let’s hope he’s not down there,” Davide adds helpfully.
It hits me then. I curse as I turn back to the elevators. “Parking garage.”
We run, and this time, we ride up to the top of the structure. When the doors open, we step out together, guns drawn and ready. But it’s quiet. There’s not even an attendant in the little glass booth.