Page 153 of Niccolo (Mafia Kings #7)

Niccolo

Traffic was heavier than usual. A dozen cars crept slowly around the limousines sent by Don Severino.

I had told all the wives that the Council would only deliberate today. No witnesses. As such, there was no reason for any of them to attend.

As the two limousines parked outside, Lars stepped out first as our head of security. Rachel was right there alongside him, accompanied by a couple of foot soldiers.

Next came Adriano, me, Valentino, and Roberto. We all surrounded Dario as human shields to make sure he was safe.

Massimo brought up the rear as he held onto the arm of the Widow and guided her down the steps. She was incredibly slow, so they were far behind us.

We were walking down the steps when I got a call.

I checked the screen: Don Severino.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Niccolo, I just wanted to let you know that Fausto will be a bit late to the meeting.”

That gave me pause. Unease filled the pit of my stomach.

“Wait,” I said to my brothers, holding out my hand.

We paused at the bottom of the steps, about 20 feet away from the first limo where Lars and Rachel stood by the open rear doors.

“HOW late?” I demanded.

“I don’t know. He said he’s having some health issues.”

“What’s going on?” Massimo said from the top of the steps.

“We’re going back inside,” I shouted at him.

“What?” Adriano exclaimed.

I gestured with my hand to start back up the steps as I said to Severino, “You couldn’t have told me sooner?”

“I only spoke to your uncle a few minutes ago. Besides – ”

Suddenly, an engine roared close by.

I looked over in shock as a motorcycle drove up on the sidewalk at full speed.

Two men, all in black, were on it –

And one held a pistol.

Everything seemed to slow down.

“GUN!” Lars bellowed.

Adriano, Valentino, and Roberto all dove on top of Dario.

Lars and Rachel both pulled Glocks –

But the motorcycle was already on top of us.

BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM!

The rider in the back fired wildly as the motorcycle sped past us on the sidewalk.

He nearly ran over Lars, who had to dive out of the way.

Rachel was between the bike and Dario –

And as the motorcycle passed by her and the rider on the back fired –

BLAM BLAM BLAM!

– red spots bloomed across the front of Rachel’s white blouse.

She toppled backwards onto the ground, a stunned look on her face.

“RACHEL!” Lars screamed, utter panic in his voice.

He ran over to her and knelt at her side.

She lay still, eyes glassy, mouth open, as blood turned her blouse crimson.

She was already gone.

The motorcycle jumped the curb and tried to maneuver through the tightly packed vehicles on the street.

The cars’ drivers were all panicking and getting into fender benders.

I saw a look of pure rage and madness fill Lars’s face.

He stood – struck a shooter’s pose – aimed –

And fired.

BLAM BLAM BLAM!

I don’t know what happened, exactly, but the motorcycle slammed into a parked car across the street.

As the bike toppled over, the driver and gunman sprinted off, heading for the ruins of the Palatine Hill.

Lars immediately bolted after them.

“LARS, NO!” I screamed.