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I took a deep breath. “How does anyone live with the knowledge that they could get hit crossing the street on their way to grab a cup of coffee or with knowing they could get in a traffic accident at any time? Not to mention illness or disease. Why bother when there are a thousand ways that today might be your last?”

Carmella’s eyes sparkled before she broke into a smile. “Touché.”

“The answer is you live your life the way you want, even when embroiled in fears, missed opportunities, and self-doubt. Anything less would be to ignore the gifts given at birth.”

“How philosophical.”

“Just truthful,” I told her, although until today, I hadn’t put the pieces together about how I felt. Or should feel.

“Even if bad things happen around you?”

“Sometimes, people are forced to do bad things, but sometimes it’s for good reasons.”

“I guess I’ll accept that.”

“I’m glad to hear it. That’s all the philosophy I have.”

As she moved closer, her smile grew. “Not bad.”

“Why, thank you.” The blip on one of two phones I was carrying chilled my blood. I tugged the device from my pocket, doing what I could not to react. The text from Louis was clear.

Red Flag

That meant a compromise. To what degree, I wouldn’t know until I called. While now wasn’t an opportune time, I had no other choice.

“Duty calls. I’ll be right back.” Carmella wanted in on every aspect of the business, but this was something she couldn’t hear.

I moved quickly to my office, pushing the door closed behind me as soon as I walked in, immediately dialing his number. It was three full rings before he answered, but even then, not with a greeting. “Code Red answered. What’s the status?”

“Full compromise. Including family. You’re in danger.” While it was Louis’ voice, the tone was entirely different than I was used to hearing, noise in the background indicating he was under fire.

While months of training shoved me past the initial level of anxiety, I fisted my other hand, doing my best to abate the increasing rage. “What the hell is going on?”

“I was discovered. There is no time. Get them out.”

Pop! Pop! Pop!

They were the last words Louis said. The gunfire was followed by a loud boom then the line went dead.

Whatever he’d endured, he’d done so because we’d become more than just work-related associates.

He’d died in an attempt to protect me and my family.

CHAPTER26

Alejandro

Without hesitation or thinking the situation through clearly, I took long strides back into the living room. The moment I grabbed my weapon, Carmella stiffened.

“What’s happened?” she asked, her tone even more demanding than before.

“I can’t go into it right now.”

“You mean you won’t.” She refused to back down, slamming her drink onto the table just before reaching for the weapon she’d accepted as her own.

I had no choice but to head toward the laundry room where the weapons safe had been built, used, and hidden by the previous owner.

She was right behind me, refusing to back down.