Page 74 of Single Mom's Mafia Daddies

“Don’t you dare,” I shot back and put the SUV in park. “Let’s go. I’m heading to meet with Bruce. You have the rest covered?”

“All for one and one for all.” He patted the duffel in the back seat before sliding out. “Two dozen explosives should take care of it.”

“Has your drone gotten a visual?”

Matteo shook his head. “Not a one, which means they probably know it’s up and are avoiding it. No sign it’s offline, but I’m not counting on anything. If they leveraged enough collateral, the Russo syndicate might have released their cloaking tech to them for the assault.”

“Fuck. Any way to know for sure?” I hefted the cases of rifles over my shoulder.

Another head shake. “They won’t talk to me about a rival. I offered an exorbitant amount of money and no one budged.” He gave me a long look. “That means they’re helping, if you didn’t already pick up on that.”

“They think we’re toast.” I grunted under the weight of the guns. “Can’t wait to prove them wrong.”

“Amen and amen.” Matteo held out his fist, and I bumped mine against it. “Meeting on the ridge in half an hour.”

“See you there.” We’d promised Lila we’d look out for each other, which was easy enough since our plan hinged on theother doing their job. I hadn’t intended on being in the dirt beside Matteo, but I trusted his instincts, and I for damned sure couldn’t wait to see his explosives blow the Verduccis sky high.

I skirted the edge of the road and trekked between the trunks of several trees until a tiny clearing appeared.

Bruce held up a hand, and the group fell silent. “You asked for my opinion on the best guys.” He pointed at the group. “Here they are. Personally tested each one of them when they were hired.”

I lowered the cases to the bed of Bruce’s truck and unzipped one. “Everyone familiar with this?”

The sniper rifle’s muted black body and muzzle absorbed light instead of reflecting it. A long scope gave the sniper range and wind conditions. I kept twelve of them on hand at all times, all under heavy lock and key so they were never misused or taken when not needed.

Steady gazes met mine, and a chorus of “Yes, sir” rang out.

I handed each man a rifle and pointed out their positions on the map Bruce had spread out on the tailgate. “I want you to concentrate your fire on anyone outside the vehicles. Betty and Matteo’s explosives will eliminate as many of them as possible. If you see Vincenzo or Luca, do not hesitate. These men do not reach the estate.”

“Yes, sir.” Salutes snapped, and each man shouldered the cases and headed off to their respective areas.

“See you on the other side.” I nodded my thanks to Bruce, grabbed my case from the truck, and made my way around to the pile of rocks where Matteo and I had agreed to meet. My boots helped me gain enough traction to climb to the peak, and I settled in to wait. Sunshine glossed the trees in verdant green and made the world look right to all outward appearances. Tree limbs danced in the breeze, birds sang a sweet tune, and every hair on my body stood at attention.

A scratch of rock-on-rock announced Matteo’s arrival, along with his whispered, “It’s me. Don’t shoot.”

“I’m not the trigger-happy bastard you are.” I scooted sideways to give him more room on the rock shelf.

“Well, you’d better turn into one, because we’re going to need every bullet.” Matteo stretched out on his stomach and raised a pair of binoculars. “They’re inbound.”

One of the snipers on the ridge echoed Matteo’s words. “Anyone outside?” I asked.

“Negative. All safe in their nests,” was the reply.

“Knock ‘em loose, Matteo.” I set the rifle stock into my shoulder and peered down the sight. Deep breath in. Hold. The convoy came into sight. “I see twelve armored Humvees.”

“Better tell Betty to start talking.” Matteo scrolled down the tablet he carried everywhere. “After that, it’s spray and pray.”

I kept both eyes open, an old habit from training, but concentrated on the vehicles threatening death and destruction to everything I loved. “No men outside means they’re not concerned with IEDs.” I tracked a line down the convoy. “Which means the Verducci brothers are at the back or middle. They won’t risk themselves getting blown up. They’ll let the others take the heat.”

“Let’s find out.” Matteo cranked up a dial and tapped a button. “Line one.”

A series of booms shook the ground. Dirt and dust exploded into the air. The first two Humvees flipped and spun sideways. Shouts carried on the wind in the sudden silence that followed. Men spilled out from the overturned Humvees. My men picked them off one by one. I couldn’t help the surge of pride that wormed through me. I’d have to compliment Bruce on his choice of soldiers.

Rapid gunfire pierced the air, followed by another explosion, this one more concentrated. “They’re bringing out rocket launchers. Tell your men to watch out.”

“Jessica on the move,” I said, quick and sharp, the warning clear. “Take her out. Betty on standby.”

“Second wave incoming.” Matteo set off another series of explosions. “One more and I’m out.”