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I kiss Sasha’s head. And Kara meets my gaze.

Anyone else would be looking at me like I told you so or have a face full of recriminations.

Not Kara.

It’s just concern for me, and a brave smile.

Sasha hugs me tighter. “Daddy will keep us safe,” I say. “All of us. We’re going to be fine.”

I hope.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

DEMYAN

Ilya hasn’t called in,which isn’t like him. I glance at my phone.

Fuck me, it’s off. I pick it up and realize as it won’t turn on as it’s dead. “Ivan? Alek? Got a charger?”

Embarrassed silence meets me, and finally Alek speaks. “Sorry, Boss, packed light.”

He means ammo and weapons only.

Shit.

We’ve been sitting outside one of Sergio’s clubs for hours, with other men dotted around. Outside other establishments, along with his house.

Sergio isn’t home, though. My men tailed him here in the early hours and I came here when it seemed like he was staying put. It’s late. And he hasn’t snuck out to go home or launch an attack. From every single report, he’s still in there. Somewhere. Hidden away in his private office like a coward.

The club’s been in legit operation, and non-legit. People have been coming and going. But with the dawn’s light, after hours close up, and the real closed sign goes up, marked bythe roller gate halfway down and people leaving. Leaving, that is, and not going in.

But no one’s caught my attention.

No one, that is until now.

A car pulls up and every sense is on alert. Those alerts spike higher as the armored car doors open and two burly guards get out. They’re armed and they make no show of hiding it.

Then Rocco steps out. I know it’s him because I’ve seen pictures.

And of course, my fucking phone is dead. I bite back a sigh.

“Ivan, call in to Ilya for me. Tell him to send backup.”

He glances at me. “How much backup, Boss?”

I check my gun. “Enough to take him out twice over.”

“You want them to storm the gates?”

“I want them here, waiting and ready for my word,” I say.

This is it.

My best chance to take out Rocco and Sergio at the same time. I calculate the time it’ll take for backup. Maybe thirty minutes? Maybe fifteen, depending where Ilya has people or who and what he’ll send.

Problem is, they might take off. I have someone watching the back exit, but that’s no guarantee it’s the only one. Weasels like Sergio are wily. It’s why he’s lasted so long and who the fuck knows what those two are planning…

It’s not just my future on the line, but half of Chicago. Vince will be a better person to take over from Niko, now that I know he’s interested in the game, but it’s not going to happen if this alliance goes ahead.