Page 93

42

Alessio

I pull up to the front of the casino, skipping the back entrance to theGrotto. No way am I giving thispezzo di merdaa chance to see me coming. Kota and I jump out before the car even fully stops. I grab the duffel and toss the keys at the valet without a second look, barely registering the kid scrambling to catch my keys before they hit the ground.

My backup isn’t here yet. They’re close, but not close enough. Fuck it, I’m not waiting and leaving Liv in there with thatstronzoa second longer.

The casino is quiet for a Sunday, even at 7:00 P.M.. Good, fewer witnesses. I’ve got that damn video of Liv seared into my brain, bruised but still fighting, mySirena. But I saw the fear in her eyes, the way she flinched when that bastard put his hands on her.

I’m going to kill this fucker and enjoy every second of it.

Kota pulls out his gun and nods at me as we approach theGrottoentrance. Ray stands at his post, his stance going rigid the second he sees me. He nods, already moving to open the door.

I stop him with a quick raise of my hand. I don’t need him giving Ezra a damn head start. “Who’s in there?” I ask.

“Nobody’s used this entrance since my shift started at five, Don Gualtiero.”

Ezra had to have come in through the back. I grit my teeth, nodding once. “Get Raf, Javier, and Jay to cover both exits. No one comes in or out of this entrance. Got it?” They’re my best casino security and will do what’s asked of them, no matter what.

“Yes, sir.”

I pull my gun out, cocking it back as Ray’s hand goes to the doorknob. “Anyone who walks out of this door that isn’t me? You shoot to kill.”

Ray nods with understanding. “Yes, Don Gualtiero.”

Heat crawls up my neck, every muscle pulled tight with rage. My finger is on the trigger, ready to blow the door open and start firing, until Kota grabs my shoulder. “Steady,” he whispers.

I grit my teeth but nod, walking through the door with Kota on my right. The only light comes from above thecage, almost like it’s purposely pointing to the woman tied to the chair beneath it.Mywoman.

Liv is tied up with bruises and blood streaking her face. But her fucking eyesstill hold that fire that I can’t get enough of. MySirena,still fighting.

Ezra stands near her, barking orders to his men from the cage. He’s smug, cocky, and too confident in whatever sick game he’s playing. The sight of him makes me want to put a bullet between his eyes, but first, I’m getting Liv out of here.

Kota and I exchange a look and turn opposite ways, toward four of Ezra’s men coming at us on either side, two on each side.

Ezra’s goons lunge first, with their guns drawn. I drop the duffel and fire off two shots before they even blink. One grabs his throat, choking on his own blood. The other stumbles back, screaming, with blood pouring from his leg—until I put a bullet in each eye.

Bet he didn’t see that coming.

Kota takes out another two just as fast, and Ezra’s face twists in shock, then rage. “Get them!” he shouts, scrambling back, but I’m already moving toward him.

More of his minions flood in from every fucking angle. One lunges at me, but I sidestep him, slamming my elbow into his face with enough force to shatter hisnose. He drops instantly, groaning, and I step over him like thepezzo di merdahe is.

Ezra’s next. I rip open the cage door and charge straight for him. He’s already swinging a knife like some desperate fuck, and he manages to knock my gun out of my hand and kick it across the floor.

My fist cracks against his chin, and he stumbles back, off-balance. I grab him by the collar and slam him into the metal bars. The whole cage rattles from the impact, and the knife drops from his hand.

“Cazzo di cagna,” I snarl, drawing back and slamming my fist into his face again. His head snaps back with a sick thud, and he slumps against the metal, blood leaking from his mouth.

I don’t have time to kill him now. Liv comes first.

I spin toward her, my hands shaking as I untie the ropes at her wrists. She looks up at me, her face is a little pale, but she’s alive, that’s all that matters.

Before I can finish untying her, I catch movement in my peripheral, a flash of silver.

Damn Ezra, the fucker moves fast grabbing the knife off the floor and lunging like a rabid dog, but I’m already shifting, putting myself between him and Liv.

Kota shouts something, but it’s too fucking late.