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“That’s fucking right. And if you don’t give me that hint, you best bet I’m coming after all of yours. Red rings will bleed around their necks.”

I’m bluffing since it’s against my code, but he doesn’t know that.

“Time is running out.” I rev the power drill, piercing the skin through his shirt. “Is she under the deli?I don’t have the luxury of running all over Jersey, Frank.”

Vzzzzt!

His mouth is agape as tears leak from his eyes.

Vzzzt!

“Alright!Alright!” Frankie heaves. “You figured it out, asshole. Give me a phone so I can tell Nicky what he’s fuckingdone. He didn’t know you were married – Christ! Just ease off, alright.”

I scoff and toss the drill to the floor. “Good little vermin. Too bad it’s time to dump you in the sewers.Snaps. Do ’em.”

Snaps pulls out a silenced pistol too big for his lanky arm, and shoots Frankie in the head before he can stutter out a curse.

I don’t even take a second to honor his corpse. I’m out of the room, stomping toward my crew. “Meat locker under Frankie’s deli on Berkely Avenue. It’s going to be packed with Nicky’s goons right now. I’d say wait until day time, but I’m not risking Capri in pieces. Load up.”

Castor cocks a golden pistol. “Really taking the reins on this one, huh? Want that capo spot that bad?”

“Fuck off, cuz. Keep talking and I might mistake you for one of Nicky’s crew once we get in there.”

The guys laugh at that.

“I’m coming with.” My father coughs.

“No. I have another job for you. Go to Cameron County clerk’s office – where me and Capri got hitched – and sweet talk them into giving you the original marriage certificate. Forge it. Make it a year earlier.Understand?”

Pop smiles wide. “You’re trying to play the dons. Make it look like Nicky took your wife as a vendetta against you. Since he’s always poking around in other’s business, you can make it like he’s the only one who knew your secret.Smart, kid.”

Castor pats my shoulder. “Didn’t know you had it in you. Golden plan. Now… let’s clear your fucking name, shall we?”

Chapter 28

Cipriana

Jacky’s cry radiates through me like a siren. We’re being dragged harshly through a meat locker and it’sfreezingin here. I’m still more than half naked thanks to being nabbed mid-shift, and my mouth feels like there’re rocks in it from the hard slap Nicky gave me at the club.

Worst of all? My friends are in danger, and it’s all my fault.

Gil tries to be strong, but he breaks into sobs. Even Charlie – the stoic one of us – is catatonic staring at the floor.

Meanwhile, my mind is racing. Even though Trino is the most capable man I’ve ever met, he might not make it in time. This ‘NickyFrits’ is acting like a real monster. He doesn’t play with his food like other mobsters I’ve seen. He’s straight-faced, like Trino, only without the heart.Twicehe’s pressed a knife to my neck, inspecting me to see if I’ll reveal the whereabouts of my father.

‘Rocco’s daughter, in the flesh,’his voice rings in my head.‘Once I find his address, maybe I’ll mail him a slab at a time.’

There was no joy in his expression. Just factual consideration. His crew on the other hand…

“No!” Jacky flails in an enforcer’s grasp. “No!Please,” her voice turns into air.

“No one can hear you, sweetie.” He pets her face, thenwhacksher with his backhand. “And your voice is really starting to get under my skin. Quiet, or we’ll run a fucking train on you to really make you sing.”

I shiver at the idea.It’ll be okay, Jacky. Just hang in there.

Survival is all that matters right now.Just stay alive.

I’m focusing on the side-conversations taking place behind me. My skin is all torn up from being dragged down concretestairs into a scrappy dungeon, but that’s not my priority – I have to buy time for Trino.