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I’d pushed back on picking up Gabriel from the Lupini estate until in the morning, using the excuse we needed some private time to enjoy the house. There was no reason for anyone to think otherwise. While Carmella had been hesitant in accepting my suggestion, she’d accepted that we still needed time to come to terms with whatever our relationship was going to be.

Night had fallen, stars high in the sky. I had a bad feeling that she was right. Not only would things internally implode, but the people holding all the cards were biding their time. I feared their patience was as thin as mine.

If only Louis had been able to provide me with more details. I’d been working with him long enough to know he was under duress, risking his career and perhaps his life by warning me. I was the kind of man to require control at all times.

Right now, it felt as if I had close to none.

My thoughts remained with my sister and little girl. They could easily be used as pawns. I headed outside to check with the two men. It was time for a change in detail, although I knew Gio and how he’d argue.

Two of the outside lights were on, twinkling lights in every tree and large shrub creating a serene atmosphere. To me, there was a strange glow that kept an ominous feeling. Today hadn’t gone anything like I’d hoped or planned.

That made for a cranky man with an itchy trigger finger.

Information might be king, but at this point, too much information could mean certain death. She would keep pushing me. It was how to handle her that I had to come to grips with.

Soon.

Gio was pacing around the SUV, obviously frustrated that my lovely bride had gotten the drop on him. When he noticed me approaching, he stiffened. My reputation as unforgiving extended even to my most trusted man. How brutal my reactions would be kept everyone guessing.

I’d always liked it that way. The privacy I’d kept had put more questions than answers in the minds of soldiers I controlled.

“Boss. Is everything alright in there?” Gio asked.

I scanned the area, noticing Bronco was nowhere to be seen. “Fine. We had a long discussion.”

He smirked, immediately attempting to hide his amusement. “Good for you. Boss.”

“Time for you to head home.”

“Nope. You need me. We’re fine.”

“You’ve been here all damn day. You need food.”

He threw out his hand, shaking his head. “I’m not certain I’m ready to eat. You gotta understand why.”

Chuckling, I nodded. “Sorry about that.”

“What the hell did she give us, anyway?”

“She is a doctor, Gio. Whatever it was she knew exactly how the drug would react. The good news is that there will be no permanent damage.”

“Any bad news?”

“Only that you’ll remain a little sluggish for a couple more hours. Another reason for you and Bronco to get some sleep.”

He scratched his head. “Maybe in a little while. No one visited and she didn’t leave. I mean, at least not that we knew about. How did she get the stuff?”

“Evidently doctors always keep an emergency medical bag in case of an unexpected crisis. I thought nothing of it when she brought it with her. Clever girl.”

“Fuck. Clever indeed.” Gio’s eyes opened wide. “I didn’t mean any disrespect, sir.”

“None taken. You can relax, Gio. Have a team arrive to take over. And no, I won’t take no for an answer.”

He groaned. “Yes, boss. I’ll check with the other men and report where things stand. At least from their last reports there’s been no additional issues or threats.”

“Good to know. Drago?”

“Not a peep out of him.” He had a strange look on his face.