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Silence continued to be my answer.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Az

We'd returned to the manor to find three bodies, and Rich passed out in front of the camera room door. Victoria's ragged sobs had echoed through the house over the intercom. When I'd punched in the code to deactivate the panic room, I'd found her hugging her knees as she wailed. I'd gathered her in my arms as the others called Harrison in to help Rich and then focused on dealing with the bodies and the damage done to the manor.

I stood near the entryway to the great room, watching as Victoria now fussed over Rich, who sat propped up by pillows on the couch. Harrison had assured us that he was fine. He hadn't passed out from his injuries but from shock, and now that he'd been stitched up, he wasn't in any danger. With our concern for Rich assuaged, Joey and Leighton couldn't avoid cracking jokes at his expense.

"I can't believe you fainted, you pussy," Leighton snickered.

Victoria's head snapped toward him, and she scowled. "He killed those guys to keep me safe, and it almost killed him!"

"Nah, Harrison said both shots were through and throughs and none of his injuries were to anything vital. He just fainted like a little bitch." Leighton laughed, shoving Rich's shoulder playfully.

Rich hissed. "That hurt you fuck! I've been shot!"

"Yeah, we've all been there. You got it looked at," Joey chuckled. "Harrison said you're fine as long as you keep the wounds clean. This isn't even the worst you've had happen, you big baby. You're just playing it up, so Victoria will dote on you."

Leighton looked at Joey with a barely contained laugh. The moment Joey noticed, they both devolved into a bout of laughter.

"What's so funny about this?! He could have died!" Victoria screeched at them.

Joey worked to get his laughter under control before he responded.

"I get it's upsetting, Sweetheart, but he didn't die, and he's going to be fine. You heard what Harrison said, and I promise you he's lived through much worse." Joey assured her.

Victoria turned her attention back to Rich with a huff just as Craig stepped into the room and stopped beside me.

"He's eating that shit up, huh?" Craig chuckled, nodding toward the couch.

"I suppose it's only fair considering he might not live down passing out." I replied. "How's it coming with the repairs?"

"They should be done this afternoon. I called in two crews when we got back last night and paid them an insane amount of money to make sure it's done quick."

"Any idea how someone managed to pull this shit off? I thought Kristoff and James were on guard last night. Nobody should have been able to get past those two psychopaths."

Craig sighed. "I don't know, man. It looks like someone knew when Leighton's last two crazies would be making rounds and set up a diversion on the far side of the property to draw everyone's attention there. I've already drawn up a list of everyone supposed to be on security detail last night and gave it to Joey so he can figure out if one of them is the mole that made it possible."

"Good. We need answers and fucking fast." I replied.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out before Craig to say anything else. A number I didn't know flashed on the screen as I quickly tapped to answer the call.

"Hello?" I spoke into the receiver.

"I heard you're looking for me." A male voice responded.

"Rinaldo," I drawled. "I wasn't expecting you so soon."

"You've been in this game, how long now, Casadei? Ten, twelve years? You should know that word travels fast." He replied.

"Am I to assume you've decided to accept our request for a meeting, then?" I asked, ignoring his subtle jab.

"I have. I find I'm quite curious to know what you have to say about keeping my property from me. I will be waiting at Buon Appetito. Three p.m., don't be late."

"Now, now, Rinaldo, you know that isn't neutral ground. I'd have to be suicidal to agree to meet there."

"Maybe you aren't as dense as I thought, Casadei," He laughed. "I suppose if you insist on neutral ground, we can meet at the Spotted Cobra. The time remains the same. Three p.m., not a minute later or I'll assume you've chosen not to discuss the return of my property and you won't be given another chance to make this right."