Page 26

Dominic

I watched through the camera system at Lori’s as my overly presumptuous sister made her presence known. Seeing my girl holding a gun mesmerized me. If that’s the one she stole from Jimmy, it makes it even better that my name is on the firearm she has pointed at my sister's chest. I knew the second Gwen pulled it, Carmin would disarm her. We were raised to be killers, born to know our way around a gun.

Once this is over and I take care of the threat, I’ll teach her everything there is to know. I once thought that keeping her away from my life would protect her. But my girl has been in danger most of her life I know that now. So, when this is said and done, I’ll let her rise up to the world she fits into. My world.

I watch the computer screen as Gwen walks back into the diner, gathering her things to leave. Grabbing her car keys. I was pissed at first when she went and bought a car. More pissed at the fact that I should have been the one to take her and buy her the nicest one. Given that I’m trying to keep my distance, it’s just another thing on my list to make up to her.

Carmin struts into my office, smiling from ear to ear. “Hello, brother.” I let out a puff. “Just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” She laughs. “Did you really think I wouldn’t introduce myself? I wasn’t going to wait until after we have Jimmy.” There is no controlling Carmin Costello. “You’re going to have to work with that girl. Her self-esteem is horrible. We need to get her confident. But she has a lot of potential. I really like her,” she says, looking out the floor-to-ceiling window.

I step beside her, glancing down at the parking lot. Her men are unloading guns from the drop that happened tonight. Trey is taking count, and Bash is back from another address from the Spa, carrying his duffle bag. I’m sure it holds more of my guns and more of my drugs. Bash gives no fucks when it comes to playing in blood. He may have a playboy smile, but underneath, he is a trained killer.

“Let’s take a walk downstairs,” I tell her. She nods and follows my lead to the main floor. A large wooden crate sits in the middle of what serves as the dance floor. “Bash, get me a crowbar,” I call to the back.

Seconds later, he hands me one. I shove it under the wooden top of the crate. The lid is nailed shut, securing whatever’s inside. Using my strength, I pry it open. It’s nothing compared to the weight I lift in my home gym.

Bash grabs the top once it's broken open, setting it down on the side. Everyone gathers around the crate, filled to the top with an assortment of machine guns. I pull out a blacked-out MP5, checking the stock, then grab the thirty-round magazine, locking it into place. “Beautiful.”

I usually stick to handguns, shotguns, and rifles. Chicago is strictly a no-firearms state, so most customers aren’t looking for submachine guns. The MP5 is German-made. I usually don’t deal with German products, but my Italian family called in a favor. This shipment isn’t for sale this is personal.

Bash, Trey, and Santino each grab their weapon of choice, inspecting them with practiced ease. “Hell yeah, I’m ready to fuck some people up,” Bash mutters, a wicked grin stretching across his face. “One more day,” I remind them. “Then the hunt really begins.” Bash meets my gaze, nodding in silent agreement. We’re on the same page. Trey suddenly looks up, his expression shifting as if something just clicked in his mind. “Talking causality what about the people who aren’t involved?”

I nod, understanding Trey’s hesitation. He doesn’t want innocent blood on his hands. “Once we’ve identified Jimmy and his crew, we’ll lure them to the back. When they’re in the rooms, you’ll get the escorts out the back door.” I gesture to a few of Carmin’s men. “Everyone will have earpieces. When I give the signal, we light up the rooms while Jimmy and his men are waiting for the women, they think they’re getting.” Trey frowns. “How are we going to get him to go back there willingly?” “That’s where I come in, love,” Carmin chimes in smoothly. “Shit, I’d follow you to any room,” Bash says with a low chuckle. I don’t miss the way Santino’s expression darkens. He doesn’t like that comment. Carmin smirks. “Sorry, babe, I don’t play where I work. You know that.” I reach into my back pocket and pull out a rolled-up paper, spreading it out on the table for everyone to see.

“This is the layout of the spa,” I say, pointing at different sections. “The rooms in the back are here. The entertainment room is here. For the next twenty-four hours, I want this map burned into your brains. This back exit is where you’ll come in after the girls are cleared out. Trey, Bash, Carmin, and I will be out front with the party. Santino will lead you in. Then, we’ll meet you in the back. Everyone crystal clear?”

A chorus of nods follows. “One more thing I need some of you to bag the coke. Santino, you’re in charge of that. Carmin, you know the code to my place. Bash and I are going to watch Gwen tonight after that little problem this morning.”

Later that night, nearing 11 p.m., Bash and I sit in my car, parked on the corner of the street. The night is calm, the moon casting just enough light to make out the street signs. My phone is propped up on the dash, the screen displaying a live feed of Gwen’s bedroom. She’s asleep, peaceful, unaware of the predators circling.

Two hours pass in silence. Then, a car rolls up to the Riviera gate. I sit up, my gaze sharpening. Romona steps out, moving around to the driver’s side. She leans in, talking to the driver “Alright, I get it! It will all be ready,” she tells the driver before stomping up the dark sidewalk and into the house, slamming the door behind her.

The driver waits a minute before pulling off into the night. How strange. The night before her big party, she's out late with an unknown person, her words still ringing in my ears. She’s just another shady bitch who can’t be trusted. I’m not sure which one is worse her or Lily. If either of them gets in my way of ripping Jimmy’s head off, I won’t hesitate to put a bullet between their eyes. Lily already knows taking a life isn’t something I’ll lose sleep over. Romona can find out just as easily.

On my phone, I see Romona open the door to Gwen’s room, peeking in before gently shutting it again. I close the camera app and open the ghost app linked to Gwen’s phone. It shows me everything I need text messages, calls, every move she makes on that device. I scroll through her conversation with an unknown number. He’s getting braver. My girl shows no fear of him.

Once I take him out of this world, she will never have to live in fear again. She will never know that I uncovered her secrets or that I eliminated her enemies. I will be the one they fear for even thinking of my princess. After tomorrow, she will want for nothing and fear nothing but me.