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She studies me for a moment. “And you trust him?”

“I trust that he’ll do whatever it takes to keep Leo safe.” I meet her gaze. “Just like I trust you to have my back no matter what goes down tomorrow.”

She nods slowly. “Always.”

“I say we make our plan too. Just in case,” I say. “Maybe a mix of the two options you described.”

Her smile grows. “That’s what I want to hear. What have you got in mind?”

Rissa and I spend the rest of the day working out every detail. I trust Zeke to do what’s necessary, but I can’t risk sitting back hoping things go his way.

Let’s call my plan a contingency.

Chapter 24

The Final Reckoning

Ezekiel

Ilean back in my leather chair, studying the faces of my most trusted men gathered around the conference table. Seb, still favoring his injured shoulder but looking better each day. Eli, stoic as ever, his dark eyes alert and watchful. Micah, the quietest of the bunch but no less deadly for it.

“We end this tonight,” I announce, my voice cutting through the tense silence. The words feel good—decisive, final. After days of watching Eve suffer through Leo’s absence, of seeing the shadows deepen under her eyes and the tremor in her hands as she reaches for another drink, I’m done playing defense.

Seb leans forward, wincing slightly at the movement. “What’s the play?”

“We invite Alessandro to the club.” I tap my fingers against the polished wood, a steady rhythm that matches the pounding of blood in my veins. “Make him think I’m ready to talk about Gio.”

“He won’t come alone,” Eli points out.

“No.” A wicked smile tugs at my lips. “He won’t.”

Understanding dawns in their eyes. Good. These men have been with me long enough to know how I operate, to readbetween the lines of what I’m saying. Alessandro may bring his soldiers, but we’ll be ready. More than ready.

“Get every available man in position,” I continue. “I want eyes on every entrance, exit, and blind spot in this building. When Alessandro walks through those doors, I want to control every breath he takes.”

Micah shifts in his chair. “And if he doesn’t take the bait?”

“He will.” The certainty in my voice surprises even me. “My little visit to Nicolo rattled him. He’ll want to know what was said, what deals were made. His curiosity will override his caution.”

Plus, Alessandro has always suffered from an inflated sense of his own importance. The chance to gloat over having Leo, to lord his supposed victory over me? He won’t be able to resist.

“Once we have him isolated in the VIP room—” Seb starts.

“We end it.” The words come out in a growl. “Clean. Quick. No loose ends.”

Eli clears his throat. “What about Eve? You said we’d tell her everything.”

The sound of her name sends a jolt through my system—equal parts love and guilt. She’s out there right now with Rissa, planning their own operation based on that anonymous tip about tomorrow’s meeting. A meeting that, if everything goes according to plan, will never happen. At least not the way Alessandro planned.

“Not this. This will be too much for her. We keep this separate from police operations.” I force my voice to remain calm. “Eve can’t know about our involvement. Not until it’s done.”

“She won’t like that.” Eli’s tone is neutral.

“I know.” I run a hand through my hair, remembering the fierce determination in Eve’s eyes when she insisted on workingtogether. The way she trusted me with her heart last night, gave herself to me completely. “But it’s how I keep her safe.”

And Leo. He who never asked to be caught up in this war. He deserves so much better than to be used as a pawn in Alessandro’s twisted game.

“Besides,” I add, pushing away the guilt, “what Eve doesn’t know can’t be used against her later. When this is over, she’ll have complete deniability.”