Page 9 of Dark Breaker

Fabio raises his chin in disdain. “We’ll see about that.”

Giovanni gives him a black look. “We will indeed. I’ve just about had enough from you. If you say a word more, I’ll shoot you myself. I don’t give a damn about how many men you’ve brought with you, it won’t be enough.”

Fabio’s resultant glower is intense enough to shrivel a lion, but Giovanni stands his ground. Fabio wisely keeps his mouth shut.

Giovanni glances at Massimo. “Let’s go.” He begins marching toward the prison with his men.

Massimo sighs, then turns away to follow, along with the remainder of my brothers.

I load into the bulletproof SUV with Angela and Maurizio, while Luciano limps to the drivers’s side and takes the wheel. Giovanni, Massimo, Fabio and the others enter the jail.

A few Amato guards and D’Alimonte men stay behind, watching from outside their respective vehicles.

“If anything goes down, I’m taking you two the hell out of here,” Luciano announces.

“What about Massimo?” Angela asks. “And Papa?”

“They’ll have to fend for themselves,” Luciano replies. “Until I can return to back them up.”

“How you been, Angel?” Maurizio asks Angela.

She grins. “I’ve missed your face, Grizzly Bear.” She tugs at his beard.

“Grizzly Bear?” I mock. “Do guys have something going on that I should know about?”

Angela laughs. “He’s like a second father to me.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Interesting.”

Maurizio gives me a sheepish look. “It’s what happens when you’re assigned to watch her 24/7.”

“Against my wishes,” Angela adds.

“Your father could be a bit overprotective,” Maurizio admits.

“No more than you,” Angela says with a smile.

Maurizio grins right back. “Suppose so.”

The next hour passes slowly. I don’t know what the hell is going on in there, but it’s all I can do to stop myself from getting up and forcing my way into the jail. Then again, I probably wouldn’t get very far if I did—considering that the bribed jail guards wouldn’t know who I was. I want to text Massimo and my other brothers, but I know I’d just be bothering them. So I force myself to wait and be patient.

Finally Fabio and the D’Alimonte goons emerge from the prison entrance. Fabio looks extremely pissed as he glances my way. If I thought his eyes were shooting daggers before, now they’re positively spitting gouts of flame.

He and his men hurry into the waiting vehicles and depart.

Giovanni and the Amatos emerge with Massimo and my brothers shortly after. It’s telling that they waited for Fabio to depart before stepping from the prison, as if they were afraid he would betray them and open fire.

Massimo says something to Giovanni, and the older man pats Massimo on the shoulder before heading to his own vehicle.

“Well, Angel, until next time,” Maurizio tells Angela.

She gives him a peck on the cheek. “Bye Grizzly Bear.”

Maurizio leaves to rejoin the Amatos.

Massimo enters the passenger side of the vehicle and buckles up. When he looks at me, I’m taken aback by the grave expression on his face.

“I guess the negotiations failed?” I ask Massimo. “By the way you look, I’d almost believe someone died in there.”