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I frown at my innocent friend. There was a time whenshewas the wild one. But I’ve seen so much… I can’t help but think of them as civilians now. What does that make me?

“Oh don’t you guys worry. It’s not so bad here.”

Just as I say the words, Britta and Naomi walk by, eying my friends. It’s kind of cute that they’re patrolling to make sureI’m alright. I offer a quick nod to let them know I am. Their asses hang out of their lingerie getups as they pass by.

“Seriously?” Jacky says. “It smells like chlorine from men jizzing in the back rooms. Those guys are practically salivating over you. We need to get youout. You can hide in my apartment. You’ll be safe there.”

“Ha. I love you. It’s tempting, but you have to trust me. I need to play this one out. Then when all is settled, I’ll be back in the firm’s library basement, sifting through contracts with you guys again.”

“It’s your dad, isn’t it?” Charlie says. He’s the shrewd one who’s been following all his cases.

“Much deeper than that, I’m afraid.” My lips press tight. “I’ve already said too much. Let’s get you guys out of here.Don’ttell anyone else, Gil. I beg you.”

“Only if you come back to scuba one day.” He smirks at me.

“Deal.” I give him my pinky to lock it, then start patting their butts to get them out.

Bang!

We all jump in place when a man with a baby blue suit and shoulder-length curly hair holds a gun toward the ceiling – debris falling at his back. His getup would be hilarious if not for the gunshot. Not to mention, he’s sporting the meanest mug I’d ever seen, and a hard scar over his eye.

I step in front of my friends protectively as Bruno stumbles to his feet. He and Chestnut pull guns from their little cubby. The rest of the bar is in a state of mostly shock – the smart ones are easing deeper into the back of the club. The girls giving private dances are like whack-a-moles, heads poking out and immediately disappearing back behind their curtains beyond the open door.

“Nobody move!” The harsh man scans the scene, two massive goons at his heel.

“Nicky, the fuck are you doing?” Bruno adjusts his glasses, holding his gun out to three pointed at him.

My protector is brave, even when he’s outnumbered. He waves Chestnut down, and as he does so—

Bang!

Nicky’s gun goes off again, and we all jump in place. Bar stoolsscreechas everyone’s now scrambling to safety. Jacky pulls me to the floor before I can see what happened.

Bruno!I pop back up.

There’s a bullet hole sizzling a few feet above Bruno’s head. “Next one is between your eyes.Sit.And as for the rest of you.” He swings his aim across the bar. “If I see one cell phone, kiss your life goodbye.Don’t believe me?”

He unloads three shots right into the bar. I hear Shelly – one of the bartenders – scream for her life.

“Hah, didn’t see you there, miss.” Nicky cackles, then takes a businessman by the collar and tosses him toward one of his goons.

“Nicky, think about what you’re doing!” Bruno steps out with his gun still pointed. “I know this isn’t sanctioned by the bosses. Don’t act rash.”

Three more goons swarm in around Nicky, and I glimpse the two Star Dust bouncers tied up in the front room by the metal detector. This guy brought a freakin’ army into Trino’s safe house. What in actual hell?

“Nicky, back up,now. Before it’s too late,” Bruno warns, straightening his arm. “No one wants a war.”

My fingers are trembling, heart pulsing like bongo drums, but something’s changed since I was captured by Sonny in my own house. I can think now in these situations. The man I’m staring at is undoubtedly Nicky Frits. And he’s obviously here for me.

“You, you, andyou, corner.Now.” He points to the businessmen, ignoring Bruno. “Fitch, confiscate their phones and gag ’em. Same for that whole side of the bar.” He uses his gun to direct traffic. “Jacko, guard the private dance room. No one leaves. Better yet, shove all the dancers in there too. Make it an orgy.Fuck it.”

He slowly struts forward, kicking stools and causing hiding patrons to yelp. “Out, pussy. To the corner. Count your lucky fucking stars I don’t hurl a grenade over there, huh?Move.”

“Stay back,”I whisper, pushing Jacky behind the corner of the bar.“Shh. He’s probably here for me.”

Trino, where are you?I pray in my head. Then again, even if Trino showed up now, how could he fight against an army? If he got the jump on the two bouncers, that means he has others who detained our patrolling enforcers too.

“Get the fuck up!” Nicky kicks another stool. “C’mon, pretty stripper, off you go, into the back.”